Golf update: American squad looks strong for Ryder Cup
Three months ago, the European team seem liked the stronger team. The condition of the Americans was so sad that people even said its better they hand the Europeans the Ryder Cup in order to avoid an embarrassing defeat. Not only they would they avoid embarrassment
but also save a lot of money by not having to hire a private jet, eat gourmet meals and stay in a luxury hotel.
It’s funny how things change because at the moment things really seem in favour of the American team. With the team finalized now, all the members including Captain Corey Pavin is really looking forward to the Ryder Cup. The Cup will take place at Celtic
Manor in Wales from October 1st to October 3rd. Where regaining the Ryder Cup American team seemed impossible three months ago, it looks like no mission impossible now.
A large chunk of the American Team will arrive in Wales ‘red hot’ and ready for action, whereas many of the European stars are as cold as the wind in the Wales. You know that things are about to get heated up, when both the teams have five players from the
top ten raking in the World.
A lot of people think that not having Paul Casey in the team is a major setback for the Europeans. Europe’s strongest points have been Sergio Garcia, Lee Westwood and Paul Casey over the years. Westwood has been resting ever since the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational,
so it’s really not clear how his game is now. Garcia has been brought down to the post of assistance captain. Casey has met the worst fate out of the three, while his compatriots will be gaining more Ryder experience in Wales, he will be mountain biking through
Canada.
Call it favouritism or a very stupid mistake, Captain Colin Montgomerie really should have thought twice before leaving Casey out. The world Number 7 would have boosted the European Morale. Due to a calf injury of Lee Westwood, there was a slight chance
for Casey to play instead. However, things appear to be working out for Westwood and it looks like he will play.
There are many members that lead to many questions. One big and popular question is that on what basis the golfers are chosen for the Ryder Cup?
Padraig Harrington, who was Monty’s final wildcard pick, hasn’t won a sanctioned event in two years now. Greame McDowell, who won the US Open, has been in somewhat a hibernation state since Pebble Beach. He will, however, play in the Austrian Open prior
to the Ryder Cup in order to brush up on his golf skills. On the other hand, Rory Mcllroy hasn’t been playing well since the PGA Championship. No one is sure how Peter Hanson and Ross Fisher even made the team. If such is the condition of half the squad, how
can one expect victory from them?
Leaving the players aside, there are also some concerns about the captain. Looking from his wildcard picks, it does appear that he might have bad deciding skills. From what we know about Monty’s past, it is a possibility he can stir up a scandal or a controversy
during the Ryder Cup Week.
The only players that look in a decent condition for Ryder are Miguel Angel Jimenez, Edoardo Molinari and Martin Kaymer. Jimenez has been triumphant three times this year with his last victory at the Omega Masters Tournament in Switzerland. Martin Kaymer
won the last two events he played and the PGA Championship. Molinari won the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles just before being chosen as a wildcard pick and he finished second at the European Masters.
Looking at the American side, the only disappointment for their team might just be Tiger Woods. Not having won any tournaments this year, he didn’t even qualify for the Tour Championship either. He was one of Pavin’s wildcard pick and now he really hopes
not to disappoint the captain.
One weak link is better than five of them. That’s why it seems that the American side is stronger this year. But we all know that golf is a capricious game, we really can’t be sure on what’s going to happen. No matter who seems stronger right now, it all
leads up till October to see which team takes the cup home.
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