Aug 13

European Ryder Cup Team Preview

Colleague Tim McDonald and I had the same, simultaneous inspiration…too much USA coverage, not enough Euro. He focused on Luke Donald’s absence, which I consider overrated and he feels is underrated. Good thing…disagreement makes for a solid conversation.

Numbers 1 through 3…Padraig Harrington, Lee Westwood, Sergio Garcia

Unquestionably strongest in the clutch is Harrington…better than anything not limping on the US side. Westwood has been to the bowels of Baker-Finch and back, so he knows how to survive a tough patch. Despite some petulance, Garcia is one of the best four from tee to green in the game. If someone else putts for him, watch out. All three have many international caps and will carry the team.

Numbers 4-6…Henrik Stenson, Robert Karlsson, Ian Poulter

Stenson and Karlsson are locks due to their presence on both lists (Euro and World). They are the stronger of the next generation, heirs to the throne of Bjorn. Poulter can flat out play and his quixotic dress code will take some heat off the rest of the team. He’ll find a way to stand out, even in uniform.

Numbers 7-9…Miguel Angel Jimenez, Graeme McDowell, Justin Rose

One mechanic and two question marks. Jimenez is above suspicion. He’ll bring the Cubans and the whiskey. McDowell and Rose had suspect major championship finishes this year and need to earn some stripes with solid RC performances.

Numbers 10-12…Martin Kaymer, Oliver Wilson and Nick Faldo, err Dougherty

Kaymer is 10th and 10th, while Wilson is English, like Faldo. Trust me, if Faldo could pick himself and not get tossed from the team, he would. It would be his Seve moment, how to upstage your opposing captain. Unlike Tom Kite, Paul Azinger won’t roll over like a drunken beagle. As such, Faldo must pick his proxy, his protege, Nick Dougherty. ND is 14th and 18th on the lists, so that will good enough for Big D…Nick.

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9 comments

§ Wendy (UK) said on : 08/15/08 @ 12:35
Luke did have pretty good results last time, whilst Harrington was the "weakest link"! Different man altogether now, of course. I would still like to see Casey make the team. Clever of him to hedge his bets for both Ryder Cup and Fedex points. With the recent bereavements for Kaymer and Doughtery, understandably they have both lost form - we'll see how they get on in Stockholm and Gleneagles. I think if it comes down to a pick between Casey and one of the rookies he will go for the former to give him 8 experienced/4 rookies? ND may be his protege, but NOTHING would be allowed to stand in Faldo's way to win the RC/beat Azinger.
§ Ron Mon® said on : 08/15/08 @ 12:46
Fill me in, as I am out of the loop. What happened with the Kaymer and Dougherty families? I thought about Casey, too, although he "properly hates me." He might be the unexpected pick, being English as well.
§ Wendy (UK) said on : 08/15/08 @ 13:07
Both lost their mothers in the last couple of months - one of a heart attack and the other from cancer. Quite young too.

OK, OK, we all know Casey could/ should have chosen his words more carefully, 'tho I was amazed and sorry at how literally it was taken. (Anyway, I can think of a couple of US players in the past ......no, let sleeping dogs lie). Don't hold grudges, Ron Mon - I am sure he properly loves you to bits now. He's 16/16 on both lists, btw, so Even Steven with Dougherty.
§ Ron Mon® said on : 08/15/08 @ 13:13
I agreed with him, as there is room for sporting hatred. Trust me when I say it is not a grudge at all. I was making a comedic reference and believe that Casey is a better selection over Dougherty.
§ Wendy (UK) said on : 08/15/08 @ 14:57
In turn you rarely understand my facetiousness. Tell me we'll never be reduced to smiley faces?

Casey had better make the cut at Wyndham, (I'm following, of course)and I'm quite impressed with Rose trying to make European top 5, rather than resting on his laurels.
§ Ron Mon® said on : 08/16/08 @ 10:02
I apologize yet again. And no, there will be no more smiley and winkey faces. How does it go for Euro team, top five world and top 5 Euro automatically qualify, then what? Since there will be overlap, are the rest captain's picks? Currently, Harrington, Westwood and Karlsson are in top five on both lists, Jimenez is top 5 and #6 on one list, with Stenson top 5 and #6 on the other list. That would be Faldo's dream, to have them line up. He's have 7 captain's picks!
§ Ron Mon® said on : 08/16/08 @ 10:06
And Wendy, how exactly is Bloom off the Rose attempting to make the EURO team if he's not even entered in this week's SAS Masters? Is it his off week after the US PGA? That might explain it.
§ Wendy (UK) said on : 08/16/08 @ 11:32
What's that about a common language?

You have NEVER given me (or anybody else I know of for that matter) a smiley and/or winkey face. I meant that we might be reduced to doing so in order to convey humour/humor - ah, perhaps that's the problem.

Now if you had read Brandon's blog (taking the Michael out of Justin's rightful claim to being No. 1 in Europe by virtue of 2007 European Order of Merit - until he hands it over at end of this year), you might just have glimpsed that he (Justin, that is, not Brandon) is playing the Dutch & Scottish to try and cement RC position, so yes, he is taking a week off after PGA.

Any idea why DJ Trahan was playing SAS (M/C) - is he trying to avoid National Service? Ooops, sorry, must stick to European team.

You'll just have to play with the possible permutations like the rest of us. However, even if the top 5 did line up on each table, the other 5 would be selected on points accumulated. Speaking of dreams - Monty says he still hopes to be a pick.
§ Wendy (UK) said on : 08/16/08 @ 13:26
I should clarify - it would be the next 5 on the Euro points list.