I don't know if anyone has posted this before, but Langer has chosen Monty and Luke Donald with his final two picks. Those were the two best choices in my opinion. The final teams are:
US:
Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Davis Love III, Jim Furyk, Kenny Perry, David Toms, Chad Campbell, Chris DiMarco, Fred Funk, Chris Riley, Stewart Cink, Jay Haas.
Europe:
Ian Poulter, Paul Casey, David Howell, Paul McGinley, Miguel Angel Jimenez, Sergio Garcia, Lee Westwood, Padraig Harrington, Darren Clarke, Thomas Levet, Colin Montgomerie, Luke Donald
He'll get his points anyway. Not much razzles opponents more than a guy who hits it all over the map yet still manages to halve the holes, which he will do quite often I believe.
Yeah I know that, but I think a lot of Tiger's problems in the past have arisen from the captains pairing him with those he is friendly with in order to keep him happy. I don't believe Sutton will do that this time. A bit of tension and friendly rivalry in a pairing can spur the players on to great things. That's why I think a Woods-Mickelson team would be a two-man wrecking crew with the way they make birdies. Plus let's not forget that with the way Tiger is all over the place, Lefty may be the only other one on the team good enough to escape from the spots Tiger is likely to hit it in the foursomes in the way Tiger himself can.
Last edited by stlcard_25 : August 29th, 2004 at 11:39 PM.
You're right about a Woods-Mickelson pairing, but there could be a downside too. If they get beat it would build an enormous amount of confidence in the European team. The hard part would be beating them though wouldn't it!
I'm sure it was tough for Langer to leave out Jacobsen...in spite of his unorthodox swing he is a solid player who'll be sure to make the team next time around. Picking Luke Donald is a gamble but he is a fine young player and I expect he'll have a positive impact. Picking Monty, to me, is analagous to Sutton picking Daly except that Monty serves way more in the capacity of rallying the troops and being a binding force on that team. IMO the US has the better talent man for man but the Euros play partners and match play better, so it should be a good battle.
Besides the competition, I'm looking forward to seeing the course itself. Oakland Hills' South Course is a Donald Ross design. I like his courses for the straightforward options and challenges they present. This particular course is the one that prompted Hogan to say (after winning the 1951 US Open): "I am glad I brought this course, this monster, to its knees." Only two subpar rounds were shot during the entire tournament that year. It won't be as tough for today's pro's but it should still be fun. This is also the course where T.C. Chen had his famous "double hit" while leading the 1985 US Open in the final round, ultimately losing to Andy North.
Besides the competition, I'm looking forward to seeing the course itself. Oakland Hills' South Course is a Donald Ross design. I like his courses for the straightforward options and challenges they present. This particular course is the one that prompted Hogan to say (after winning the 1951 US Open): "I am glad I brought this course, this monster, to its knees." Only two subpar rounds were shot during the entire tournament that year. It won't be as tough for today's pro's but it should still be fun.
Jim,
I, too, am very much looking forward to seeing Oakland Hills. It's one of my favorite championship courses, by my very favorite course architect.
Oakland Hills has so much charm and grace, and an almost unrivaled history. If you haven't yet seen this month's issue of Golf Digest, I suggest you check it out. It is loaded with some great articles about the Ryder Cup and features a spectacular, two-page aerial photograph of Oakland Hills' finishing four holes.
I am quite concerned about Oakland Hills' future as a major championship venue. Two years ago, during the U.S. Amateur, this once-mighty course was virtually ripped to shreds by the young non-pros. Nine-iron and wedge approaches were the order of the day. The club membership and course super were quite taken aback.
One of the great things about having the Ryder Cup at Oakland Hills, this year, is that the club has four years to get ready for the 2008 PGA Championship, which is scheduled to be held here; and, since the scoring, in relation to par, really isn't as important, it'll give everyone a chance to chart each and every shot, made by these great pros, and, hopefully, get a great idea of where changes may be necessary.
I have a feeling that, unless Oakland Hills goes through a massive re-design, or is brought into the modern age, like Augusta and Riviera, we may be seeing the twilight years of this once-great course, as a major championship venue. I hope not. But it will be interesting to see what happens in the coming years.
Although I've never been able to play the South course at Oakland Hills, I have attended numerous events there. I too, share your concern about how the Amateurs overpowered the course Ben Hogan named the "monster." The course set up for the US Amateur was dramatically different than that of the US Opens held there and I hope that also holds true for the upcoming Ryder Cup. Oakland Hills has very little (if any) space available to add any significant length but the greens have always been the strength of the course. The greens are extremely undulating, and when prepared for professional competition, they're considered by many PGA pros tougher than Augusta's. The Ryder Cuppers will be facing thick rough, narrow fairways, and demanding greens, so don't count this old girl out yet!
droogy33,I too, share your concern about how the Amateurs overpowered the course Ben Hogan named the "monster."...The Ryder Cuppers will be facing thick rough, narrow fairways, and demanding greens, so don't count this old girl out yet!
Thanks, League! I'm really hoping for the best. Whatever the circumstances, Oakland Hills will most definitely serve as a fantastic Match Play and Team Play course. I can't wait!