I want to say yes but, as a general wagering rule, it is never wise to bet on or against your home team. The reason is obvious: it’s too hard to separate emotion from good thinking. Despite that good advice, here’s what I am thinking (or feeling). The Americans have their best chance in a while to win the Ryder Cup. I’m not exactly feeling anything like Ben Crenshaw when he proclaimed to be a big believer in fate. No, I see many reasons to like the U.S. chances. Six, in fact.
Half of the American team has been playing very well during the three weeks of FedEx Cup, especially Jim Furyk, Justin Leonard and Anthony Kim. Playing nearly as well over that stretch was Ben Curtis, Hunter Mahan and Steve Stricker. It should be noted that all of those players finished better than red hot Sergio Garcia in the last FedEx event – the BMW Championship - and significantly better than Padraig Harrington. Does that mean much in the Ryder Cup? Well, in the area of confidence, it certainly doesn’t hurt the U.S. (Please don’t tell me about how tired Harrington was after his PGA championship win. He only had to play two rounds in each of the first two FedEx events as opposed to everybody else’s four because he missed both cuts.) I really think Harrington will revert to his historical Ryder Cup form, which is a modest 7-8-2 and similar to that of Stewart Cink. Sergio, however, is another matter.
The best piece of U.S. news is that Phil Mickelson is holding form late into the season for a change and also finished ahead of Sergio in the BMW. His poor play (a dismal 1-7-1) has been a primary reason for the European domination in the last two Ryder Cups. You can bet the ranch that will not happen again this weekend. Prior to those two fiascos, he was a stout 8-5-3. He and Kim may well pair up to be an awesome team such as the Euros have sported, like Seve & Ollie or Sergio & anybody.
I see Captain Azinger putting Mickelson, Furyk, Kim and probably Mahan out in every session. Everybody else will sit just once unless their play is poor. I would expect Kenny Perry and JB Holmes to partner no more than once, if only to spread out the Kentucky love. Stoic Chad Campbell and charming crowd favorite Boo Weekley will likely make a formidable foursomes pairing both days. Stricker and Curtis will pair well with anyone – perhaps each other – and be silent assassins as they are both in fine form. I love the attitude the rookies are bringing to the match. Reminds me of the old story of the little country boy refusing to give ground to the bully and saying “Well, that’s just an ass-whuppin’ I’ll have to take.”
The oddsmakers probably have it right in giving the Americans 2 chances in 5 of winning. As badly as I want to be wrong, it appears to me that Europe will win a nail-biter. Not only does all of this 2008 European side look to be in fantastic form, I’m just not sure the Americans will be able to overcome the loss of Tiger Woods. But in the end these mostly young Americans will stand proudly, with their noses bloodied, and look forward to their rematch in Wales with relish. To quote Crenshaw, “I’ve got me a feelin’ about this.”
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Of course, I'm not so sure that it will be because of Phil Mickelson's extraordinary play!
I disagree with practically all your
straws, particularly anything to do with recent form of players in Fedex having any relevance.
I do agree with you, however, that I think this one will be a real nail-biter, (the result being close enough to prove the US team are better off without TW - especially Mickelson), and that the rookies will do you proud. Whatever you say about my beloved Stewart, he did bring in more points that anyone else on the last US team, except TW (and beat Sergio in the singles which I keep repeating ad infinitum) so a bit of credit please.
Best of luck to them all.
(Europe to win, though).
Stewart says "Take that, Shanks"!
It's hard to take anyone seriously that has a nickname like Booger.
With Kim's nerves settled, think he'll have great afternoon.
Disappointed more US interest in MW than Ryder Cup, however.
Still, I know that at least one American and one Brit. are going to be enjoying themselves this w/e!
Good weekend viewing, Wendy. We'll smoke over all of next week.
Perhaps Sergio had overdone the shiraz? I suspect that Zinger (or you?) had doctored it.
In the final analysis I had more faith in the US team than most Americans appeared to have. Thought Kim would get over-excited and make errors of judgement - I was wrong.
Wonder how the British media will treat Faldo?
Agreed Wendy, the quality of golf was beyond exceptional. I know the British press will roast Faldo, primarily because of their horrible relationship, but I think he did a fine job. Not his fault that Garcia & Harrington did not bring their best stuff - which would have made all the difference.
All losing captains get slated. I think Faldo did make a couple of tactical errors. He had some criticism for not front-loading, but the great Jack Nicklaus said he would never gamble on that format either, unless he had no other choice. Had the European team won, no doubt Faldo would have been praised for NOT doing the totally predictable.
You're right that you just knew Hunter was too fuelled up on the 18th - so difficult to become icy cold at that moment. Still, I knew he had at least a half-point in the bag, and you can't blame me for being relieved that Paul scraped a half.
Still coming down slowly - can't work out why I don't feel as down as I could be, especially as the bubbly stayed in the fridge - should had drunk it as solace.
So I think you should crack open that bottle and toast your men, as they deserve nothing less.
Cheers! A votre sante! Felicitations! (Well it is French bubbly).