Aug 15

Delicious Ryder Cup subplots to Mickelson's PGA Championship quest

Most of the golfing world will be watching the 2006 PGA Championship to see if anyone can stop the Tiger Train, particularly one Phil Mickelson. If he can, Mickelson would likely win Player of the Year for the first time ever. It’s kind of stunning, really, that a player who has won 29 tournaments (and counting) by age 36 has never been POY. Such is Phil’s lot in life, to be playing during the Tiger era. Not that we feel sorry for him. Billy Casper suffered a similar fate at the hands of Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer.

But in many ways, the more interesting drama will involve the finalization of the 10 automatic spots on US Ryder Cup team. Because of the new point system (which has its flaws) it is mathematically possible that half of the team could change from the current standings going into this, the final week of qualifying. What is more likely to happen, however, is that 1 or 2 players will get knocked off the team. Chris DiMarco, Vaughn Taylor and JJ Henry look to be relatively safe at numbers 6th-8th on the list. It is Zach Johnson and Brett Wetterich in the 9th and 10th spots that have bull’s-eyes on their back.

Every Major Championship has a few surprises in the top ten, which is the only way to garner additional Ryder Cup points. This week will likely be no different. A surprise winner could vault from as low as 105th place to a spot on the team. Does the name John Daly ring a bell? How about Shaun Micheel or Rich Beem?

The possible variations are too many to list just now, so check in here for updates as we follow this tournament within a tournament every day.

« Captain Lehman Agrees US Ryder Cup Point System Needs Improvement

US Ryder Cup Qualifications Misunderstood by PGA and Sports Illustrated »

12 comments

Comment from: Randy Hebert [Visitor]

What a great pairing with Tiger, Phil, and Ogilvy. That should be exciting to watch on Fridays telecast. I've scheduled a vacation day, have an early morning tee time , then will come home and settle in and watch that. The Ryder Cup chase will be exciting to follow as well. Anxious to see how the two par threes play out on the back, 13 and 17, tough holes now. I hope they use a front pin location Sunday for 17, near the waters edge. If it comes down to needing birdie to win, and 16 being the tough hole it is, will be interesting to see who sinks or swims at 17.

08/16/06 @ 11:30

Comment from: Shanks [Member]

Nice planning, Randy! I'll have to tape it and watch later that night w/o commercials. (I will probably take off on Ryder Cup Friday, tho.)

Tiger & Phil will be challenged to not get wrapped up in beating each other and focus on playing the course. Don't be surprised if Ogilvy outplays both of them. He's still underrated.

I think the leaders will play those par threes conservatively on the first 2 days. But look out on the weekend as the noose tightens. I suspect there will be some swimming on Sunday.

08/16/06 @ 12:57

Comment from: Shanks [Member]

With a terrific first round in the PGA Stewart Cink is now a lock to be a captain's pick - that is, if he doesn't make it outright. Over the past month and a half, the man is playing as well as nearly anybody (except Tiger) with three top 5s. Plus he has solid experience in team events.

08/17/06 @ 13:09

Comment from: Shanks [Member]

Did anyone see Brett Wetterich's crash & burn on the back nine Thursday? Cruising along at 4 under par through 11 holes, he makes a quad on #12. But that wasn't the end of it. After a bogey on 13, he birdies 14 and pars the next 2. So you figure he's steadied the ship, right?

Nope.

Another quad on 17, thus killing his chances for a top ten and more Ryder Cup points. Currently in 10th place, he will be chewing his nails while watching on Sunday to see if anyone passes him. And at the end of the first day, many are in position to do just that.

08/17/06 @ 20:18

Comment from: Randy Hebert [Visitor]

i didn't get to see that, only the last couple of hours of coverage. Just in time to see Davis triple 17. Was surprised at the scores today. Looking forward to tomorrows full coverage.Wetterich is in real danger of not making the team. We can tell more after tomorrows cut.

08/17/06 @ 20:32

Comment from: Shanks [Member]

Agreed. I don't think he has a snowball's chance in hell of being a captain's pick. Since his win at the Nelson and 2nd at Memorial, he's missed 4 of 7 cuts and in two of the other three was outside the top 50 - not real good form.

08/17/06 @ 20:42

Comment from: Randy Hebert [Visitor]

before I head out for my tee time some interesting course stats from the first day. The toughest holes in order the first day were 16, 13, 6, 2, and 9. Hole #17 showed it's true sink or swim status. More double bogeys then any other hole. And the same amount of triple bogeys or worse as all the other holes combined. But interestingly enough tied for the least amount of bogeys with the easiest hole the first day # 5. I love that par 3.

08/18/06 @ 07:55

Comment from: Shanks [Member]

Love showed us that everyone should be careful about going too long just to avoid the water. He had to be concerned about going into the water with his chip shot.

08/18/06 @ 10:16

Comment from: Shanks [Member]

Very interesting developments. Cink and Love appear to be the captains choices if nothing changes. But if Wetterich and Johnson get knocked down to outside the top ten, the picks could be anybody. Still heavily in the running to make the top 10 automatic spots are Herron, Andrade, Love, Funk, Mayfair, Stricker, Austin & Glover. The rest would need a near-miraculous final 36 holes.

08/19/06 @ 12:21

Comment from: Ron Mon [Member]

What is this, the Shanks and Randy love line? Get IM and chat, for God's sake. Six from Shanks and four from Randy. The real problem with the PGA is that no one named Thangchai is entered. Oh, word on the fairway is, Andrade won't win. Sadly, my old college associate finished quad-single on Saturday.

08/20/06 @ 09:48

Comment from: Shanks [Member]

Feelin' the love, baby!

The Ryder Cup plot got simplified yesterday by the lack of surprise performers. The top of the leaderboard is nearly a who's who of golf. Only Brett Wetterich is now in serious jeopardy of getting knocked out of an automatic bid. If Tim Herron (currently tied for 8th) finishes in a 2 way tie for 7th or better, he's on the Ryder Cup team. Zach Johnson could get knocked out too, but only if Davis Love has a really good round and he AND Herron finish in a 2 way tie for 7th or better.

NOW ON MIRACLE WATCH: Woody Austin and Steve Stricker would have to shoot something around the course record to finish 3rd or better and have a chance of getting in.

08/20/06 @ 12:17

Comment from: Shanks [Member]

Golf is a funny game. Lots of opportunities for change but nothing happened.

08/21/06 @ 11:38

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