AGAIN, we lead off with Tiger. Those who fail to remember history are doomed to repeat it. Huge lift for the Euros if the giant is felled again. 1-7-0 on Opening Day for World #1.
Two rookies going out early. JJ might suprise there, but Toms/Wetterich seems like a concession.
Still, I was VERY suprised to see Woosie pair up the Spainards. I thought Luke Donald was the no brainer pick as Sergio's partner.
I am very concerned about Phil's current form and preparation. I could see the Euros being up 2 1/2 - 1 1/2, maybe even 3-1. 1.5 to 2 seems like it would be a great start for the Yanks.
Harrington is a great Ryder Cup player. He has won all 3 of his singles matches. Monty's record speaks for itself, he has not lost any of his 7 singles matches.
Monty and Harrington also pair up really well together.
Although Jim and Tiger did very well at the Presidents Cup, they wouldn't have faced the class opposition that they are likely to encounter in that fourball match.
I know he's gotten a lot of flack for now winning on day 1, but I just can't imagine not doing it. I have heard sereral arguments, but it seems to me if you have the best player in the world on your team, you should play him as early as possible to set the tone for the rest of the competition. I guess I don't understand why NOT to play him. I understand the record argument, and definitely think the Tiger/Phil experiment was wrong (as shown). Please help me understand....
Does playing him first create to much emphasis on his match for the rest of the guys? as in "if Tiger lost, we are lost" mentality?
Is the rest of the US team THAT relient on Tiger winning for them to play with confidence? If so, would playing him later send the same message?
Anyway, I wish the US the best of luck and just hope for some outstanding matches!!!!
No, I am not suggesting you bench Tiger (that would be abusrd beyond belief, and nothing I posted suggested such). I was merely hoping to see him in the anchor spot instead of the guy who has broken 70 five times in eighteen rounds since his meltdown at Medinah. Lefty is shutting it down for the year after this event, I think he checked out mentally about 3 months ago.
Following our Euro friend's line of thinking..........If Tiger and Furyk defeat Europe's best team of Harrington and Montgomerie, will that mean the rest of the Euro teams will be devastated and have no chance to win?
Every match is only worth one point and, as we've learned in the past, the lesser names must carry their weight if the team is to win the Ryder Cup.
Not sure if this was directed at me, but I by no means am saying a Tiger/Furyk win gives the US the cup. I don't think the European team has the same mental problems the US seems to have in this event. I just get the sense that people(Americans) feel the US's hoped are all linked to Tiger's performance, and if he were to lose, the US would be lost. I am not saying I agree with the statement, I actually think I don't. I just am curious if the American players have the same metality during this event....and why?
I also wholehearted agree that it is the "lesser" players who will decide the victor, but it will Tiger and Phil the get all the glory or goating as goes with the US "quarterback" culture.
Last edited by janzaruk : September 21st, 2006 at 03:34 PM.
I think Monty still has some tricks up his sleeve. If Tiger/Furyk lose the first match, the rest of the team will panic.
Thats' what I keep hearing, but why, o why would they? We have some of the best players in the world on that team, why panic? If they are that afraid to fail, then they have been defeated before they even tee it up...is that the point?
Tiger and Furyk will beat Padraig and Monty. And if you want to worry about Mickelson's form you may want to check into Clarke's form and mindset as well.
Perhaps Lehman surprised Woosie by leading off with Tiger/Furyk and perhaps they asked to be sent out first.
But Let's discuss why the Europeans do so well in the team matches, especially against Tiger Woods. I think the dynamic is that they're just soooooo UNcomfortable playing him one on one that it's just really a relief and empowering so to speak to face him in these formats. Conversely, I think Tiger feels JUST the opposite..... unempowered and certainly NOT in control. That is until the last President's Cup with Jim Furyk.
Woosnam figured Tiger would lead off, he said so in the press conference. Monty likes to go first so that was always on the cards.
I like Europe's chances in the middle matches, I'm taking Europe to for 2.5 points.
Of those on the bench for the morning - I expect to see Donald and Howell play in the afternoon, and I reckon Verplank and Johnson will get outings in the foursomes.
AGAIN, we lead off with Tiger. Those who fail to remember history are doomed to repeat it. Huge lift for the Euros if the giant is felled again. 1-7-0 on Opening Day for World #1.
Two rookies going out early. JJ might suprise there, but Toms/Wetterich seems like a concession.
Still, I was VERY suprised to see Woosie pair up the Spainards. I thought Luke Donald was the no brainer pick as Sergio's partner.
I am very concerned about Phil's current form and preparation. I could see the Euros being up 2 1/2 - 1 1/2, maybe even 3-1. 1.5 to 2 seems like it would be a great start for the Yanks.
Why not switch DiMarco/Mickelson with Woods/Furyk? It makes Europe think they must win the first match instead of us. It would put the pressure on them. Plus look at history. Tiger is 1-3 in leadoff matches on Friday mornings. I thought Lehman would learn from history and not to repeat the same thing.
The first and last matches should be slugfests, with the two American stalwarts from the President's Cup facing off against arguably Europe's two best pairings (if Clarke is on form, anyway). The middle two could both be surprises. Casey could be in for a letdown and Cink has played well lately...and calling any pairing with David Toms included a "concession" is beyond absurd. I'll go on record with the first two matches as a draw, the USA wins #3 and Europe wins #4. 2-2 after the first half of the first day.
September 21st, 2006, 01:49 PM
I'll go on record with the first two matches as a draw, the USA wins #3 and Europe wins #4. 2-2 after the first half of the first day.
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