The Official Ryder Cup Thread

[Bing o]

So, Captain Pavin has made his picks, including one Eldrick Woods. What's the gut feel on this - I think on paper, the European team is stronger, but golf has a funny habit of over turning the form books?

Teams announced are:

Europe: Luke Donald (Britain), Ross Fisher (Britain), Peter Hanson (Sweden), Padraig Harrington (Ireland), Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spain), Martin Kaymer (Germany), Graeme McDowell (Britain), Rory McIlroy (Britain), Edoardo Molinari (Italy), Francesco Molinari (Italy), Ian Poulter (Britain), Lee Westwood (Britain).

United States: Stewart Cink, Rickie Fowler, Jim Furyk, Dustin Johnson, Zach Johnson, Matt Kuchar, Hunter Mahan, Phil Mickelson, Jeff Overton, Steve Stricker, Bubba Watson, Tiger Woods.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/golf/8974177.stm

[v15ben]

I think we will have a good chance on home soil, but will be interesting to see if Woods can pull out some of his past form given the circumstances.

[Nom de ploom]

Woods ryder cup record isn't all that great - I think he actually could be a weak link.

I think europe's back room is stronger but with quite a few rookies in the team it will make Montys team selection critical.

I'm still undecided about Harrington over Casey....

[Bing o]

Nom de ploom said:

I'm still undecided about Harrington over Casey....

3 time major winner versus someone too greedy to play enough European Tour events to ensure he qualified? I know Paddy's been off the boil recently, but golf has a habit of inspiring those in a slump.

Worth noting also that Fowler has become the first ever person to play Walker Cup one year, Ryder Cup the next.

[ascayman]

Bing o said:

Nom de ploom said:

I'm still undecided about Harrington over Casey....

3 time major winner versus someone too greedy to play enough European Tour events to ensure he qualified? I know Paddy's been off the boil recently, but golf has a habit of inspiring those in a slump.

Worth noting also that Fowler has become the first ever person to play Walker Cup one year, Ryder Cup the next.

still the world no 8 not being able to make the 12 in the european team is pretty shocking...

[ammw]

I think Harrington will be a disaster in this Ryder cup, just like he has in the last two. His poor performance along with Sergio's basically gifted the USA the cup last time.

Harrington has done virtually nothing in the last 2 years, since winning the 2008 PGA, and is being picked on reputation.

I'd much rather Monty had picked Casey. Still think we'll win comfortably.

[Nom de ploom]

clearly a devisive issue - we have harrington, they have woods.

all have to play at some point.

Q. what happens if some gets injured? or "injured"...?

can a team draft in a replacement?

I think ti will be very close to be honest.

note to self, book 1st october off work

[steve z]

So, here we go then, all starts to kick off this week.

I think it's going to be very tight, but I already like the way Captain Monty is talking.

My prediction: Europe 15 USA 13

[ascayman]

cant wait

going sat and sun

europe to win bu 1 1/2 points

[ammw]

Booked Friday off work, upgrading Sky+ to Sky HD, looking forward to a convincing Euro win - even Paddy is finally showing some form!

[anonymous-user]

Love to see europe spank the yanks so to speak, but personally i cant see it. Most of the septics are hitting top form just at the right time, so we could be under the cosh from the off, but i hope not

[Lordbenny]

I've just been told that Colin Montgomery is a cross-dresser/tranny and that he's put a super injunction on the British press to stop it getting out. Well whaddayaknow!

I'm probably really late with this one, does anyone else know more about this intriguing story?

[hornetrider]

Lordbenny said:

I've just been told that Colin Montgomery is a cross-dresser/tranny and that he's put a super injunction on the British press to stop it getting out. Well whaddayaknow!

I'm probably really late with this one, does anyone else know more about this intriguing story?

Erm, I thought the injunction was over an affair he's been having? I think the cross dressing rumours may stem from the fact that the yanks nickname him Mrs Doubtfire?

[silverthorn2151]

ammw said:

Booked Friday off work, upgrading Sky+ to Sky HD, looking forward to a convincing Euro win - even Paddy is finally showing some form!

Me too. Looking forward to a day in the house sitting in the armchair, blackberry turned off and no on else home.!

I intend to move only from the chair to the fridge and back again!

[hornetrider]

Fourball pairings announced!

Westwood/Kaymer v Mickelson/D Johnson
McDowell/McIlroy v Cink/Kuchar
Poulter/Fisher v Woods/Stricker
Harrington/Donald v Bubba/Overton

[johnfm]

I'm off for three days of golf tour in Scotland.

I expect I'll get piss wet through in the morning, pissed in the evening and watch Europe beat the US by 2 1/2.

[Mikey G]

You can feel the buzz around Newport right now, talk of celebs being spotted everywhere. I was near Michael Jordan in Cardiff last night, he had a trail of people with him and a queue of girls outside his VIP lounge in the nightclub.

Think i'm going to avoid zooport for the next 3 days, but will probably watch it all on the telly

[Slaav]

I am gutted that I missed the opening ceremony....

Alarm set up for 6.55am. Shame about work tomorrow

[sidicks]

johnfm said:

I expect I'll get piss wet through in the morning, pissed in the evening and watch Europe beat the US by 2 1/2.

ascayman said:

europe to win bu 1 1/2 points

Of course you do realise that neither of those final scores is possible....??!!!

Sidicks

[Nom de ploom]

ammw said:

Booked Friday off work, upgrading Sky+ to Sky HD, looking forward to a convincing Euro win - even Paddy is finally showing some form!

me too. although we've got hd already.

montys best ryder cup memories programme tonight was fantastic.

Ryder cup hero. prepare to become a legend....see you on sunday