US Ryder Cup Team

Davis Love III – 2016 US Ryder Cup Captain

/ The Grateful Golfer / 4 Comments

Davis Love III will be the 2016 US Ryder Cup Captain. This is his second try at the helm; is first being a loss at Medinah in 2012. As a reminder, the 39th Ryder Cup was held at the Medinah Country Club in Medinah, Illinois, U.S. The team captains were Davis Love III and José María Olazábal for Europe. As defending champions, the European team was down 10-6 going into the last day! Depending on which side of the fence you sit, the results were either a miracle or a meltdown! The Europeans rallied and won the match 14 1/2 to 13 1/2. It was the greatest comeback in Ryder Cup history!

There is little question that “how” Love failed to keep his team together on the last day will be a focal point of future conversations. There will be plenty of second guessing and armchair quarterbacks who think they have the answer. But, the decision is made and now is the time for the potential US players to start thinking as a team.

Names like Fred Couples (who I actually would prefer) and Paul Azinger (2008 winner at the Ryder Cup as US Captain) were bantered about. In the big scheme of things…..it does not matter.

Adam Sarson makes a great point:

The role of the captain at the Ryder Cup is to put your team in the best possible place for success. Love did that at Medinah and it didn’t work out, while Watson very clearly didn’t do that and unsurprisingly, it didn’t work either. The PGA of America tried to hit the home run with Watson and it didn’t work, so they went with the safe, reliable play in Love but all of it will mean nothing if the players don’t perform better at Hazeltine and get a little bit of luck along the way as well.

The players have to take ownership for how they play at the Ryder Cup. Past records are fine, finger-pointing is not helpful, and hoping for a magic solution just does not cut it. If the US Ryder Cup Team plans to beat the Europeans in 2016, the players are the ones who have to step up.

The ifs, ands, and buts will change 50 times before they players tee it up at Hazeltine National Golf Club from 30 September to 2 October, 2016. The only thing I am confident about is that it will be interesting to watch Davis Love III navigate his way through all the minutia in attempts to bring the Ryder Cup back to the US.

I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!

2014 Ryder Cup – Day 3 Predictions

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As I wait for the 2014 Ryder Cup Matches to start I thought it would be fun to predict today’s winners. My decision is based on how well the individuals have played to date, who they are playing against and the order they are playing.

From the outset, it is obvious that the European team’s line-up, they are trying to win early. However, it will not be until Sergio Garcia sinks his put on the 18th hole do the Europeans get to celebrate! So here it goes:

Tee times for Day 3 Ryder Cup

  •  Jordan Spieth               2 and 1
  • Henrick Stenson           1 up
  • Rickie Fowler                3 and 2
  • Justin Rose                    2 and 1
  • Phil Mickelson              1 up
  • Martin Kaymer             3 and 2
  • Matt Kuchar                  2 and 1
  • Sergio Garcia                 1 up
  • Ian Poulter                     1 up
  • Keegan Bradley             1 up
  • Jimmy Walker               2 and 1
  • Victor Dubuisson         4 and 3

Final Score Europe 16 – US 12.

What do you think?

I am a grateful golfer! Let the games begin.

2014 Ryder Cup – Day 2

/ The Grateful Golfer / 8 Comments

Day 2 of the 2014 Ryder Cup has come and gone. The quick start by the US Team brought hope to many of their faithful followers. Unfortunately, their performance in the afternoon dampened the spirits of many US golfing fanatics.

On the flip side of the equation, the European Team did not panic after a slow start in the morning. Like Day 1, they played very well in the afternoon and now hold a commanding lead heading into the singles competition. Leading 10 to 6, the Europeans have to win 4 matches before the US wins 9 to remain Ryder Cup Champions!

If you are wondering, here is the lineup for tomorrow:

Tee times for Day 3 Ryder Cup

So the real question for tomorrow is whether the US team can dig deep and come out swinging. I would suggest that they need at least 4 quick wins to have a chance at winning. Closing the gap to 10-10 will even the playing field (no pun intended) and neutralize the European’s 13th player: The Fans!

If the US can pull off a miracle tomorrow, then maybe they will enter the history books as one of the greatest emotional finishes at the Ryder Cup.

I am a grateful golfer! Expecting awesome golf on Day 3!

 

2014 Ryder Cup – Day 1

/ The Grateful Golfer / 2 Comments

rydercup2014-There should be no surprise that the European Ryder Cup team is leading the US Ryder Cup Team by 2 points. After a shaky start, the Europeans rallied and scored 3.5 points in the afternoon session of Day 1. With 8 matches complete, it is time for the pundits to start second guessing the Captains and offer unsolicited advice on how to improve the team’s standing during play on Day 2. I however, do not see the value in second guessing the team Captains, but see the value in being grateful for the great golf on Day 1.

My approach might be a little altruistic, but I would not be ‘The Grateful Golfer’ if I used the US Team Captain, Tom Watson, as a punching bag. I would suggest that his game plan was solid and if not for a couple bounces here and there the score would be tied. Continuing on my positive approach to the play on Day 1, here is what I would like to share:

  • Rickie Fowler’s approach on the 16th hole in the afternoon was the shot of the day!
  • Sergio Garcia’s chip in from the sand in the morning and his stellar play in the afternoon!
  • Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed walked the walk!
  • Henrik Stenson and Justin Rose are looking like the team to beat!
  • The Scottish crowd was awesome! They truly understand the game of golf!

Here are some other fantastic highlights of today’s matches!

The Ryder Cup is a fantastic event. Each team understands the value of never quitting, never giving up, and grinding out a half point that could be the difference between winning and losing. The only prediction I have is that tomorrow’s play will be more of the same! Great moments, more highlights, and fantastic sportsmanship! Each of these professionals is a true gentleman whose desire to win their match is only eclipsed by their desire to win as a team!

I am a grateful golfer! I can hardly wait until tomorrow!

 

2014 Ryder Cup – The Real Story

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In a few short hours, the 2014 Ryder Cup will be underway. The golfing world is waiting with much anticipation to see if the European team is as strong as everyone suggests. It is difficult to cut through the minutia to follow the real stories, so I thought I would share the thoughts of a few people I follow:

Who do you think are the real game changers for this year’s Ryder Cup?

Who is the better team Captain – Tom Watson or Paul McGinley?

Looks pretty event to me! What do you think?

Is this an exciting match up or what?

I could go on and on. However, I think you get the point! The 2014 Ryder Cup is about to start and we are ready! All I have left to say about that is:

GO EUROPE GO!

I am a grateful golfer! Time to get in front of the TV!