Is the US Ryder Cup team better off without Tiger Woods?

Question

I say YES! Paul Azinger, in a blurb piece on ESPN.com says that the US is an UNDERDOG. I say NO. Yes, we dont' have Tiger, but, Tiger is a HORRID team player. He has LOST 13 Matches. Only 1 person has lost more. Tiger is an individual player and Ryder really isn't his bag. I think a team Without Tiger has a better chance of winning and to even FATHOM we are an underdog FROM YOUR CAPTAIN is Reprehensible. You don't say that. YOU JUST DON"T. What the team needs is solid play and for Mickelson to NOT CHOKE. Someone has to lead this team ON THE COURSE and, to be blunt, he's the top dog.

Am I crazy? I don't think so. Defending the soil. That's going to be the motivator.

Answer 1

Hopefully, the Americans will make a better showing but that is strictly based on the pairings. Whatever happens, happens . My take is there is too much emphasis placed on the Ryder Cup and the Europeans more so than any. Sergio is great in the Ryder and the most disappointing of all the tour players who has never lived up to his potential. Tiger's won-lost record isn't the greatest in this format So we wish them well.

Answer 2

It all boils down to one thing... whether or not the US players are hungry enough to win (or as you put it "defending the soil"). Azinger has to bring in some kids that are competitive, and want to make a name for themselves. The US players haven't had the eye of the tiger for a long time, and the Europeans have, so they're the one who've been victorious. Does not having Tiger help that situation? I believe so. Tiger's focus isn't on the Ryder Cup, it's on Tiger. He wants the spotlight on himself and no one else. Consequently, he doesn't fit in well to the "team" concept of Ryder Cup play.

Answer 3

How can a team be better without one of the best professional golfer in the world in their team but that doesn't mean they cant still win.

Have a good one...

Answer 4

Well.... Having no crystal ball.....its hard to say....However you seem to mention Tigers 13 losses...but not his 10 wins... You ascribe a great deal of hope in Mickelson whose Ryder cup record is 9-12-4.  Strange logic there. One of the other....possibly.... obvious USA players is Furyk at 6-12-2.  Lets face it....the US does not do well in match play.  and this team thing?  Its match play .....one individual against another individual...granted the team scoring aspect comes in.....but give me a break.....TEAM??????????

Answer 5

You are crazy.

Not having the nest player of all time in your Ryder cup team is a tragedy for you!

He cares more about majors, but he still has an okay record in the ryder cup, and he will want to prove ppl that he can be successful in it!

If he could be bothered, wich i think he would be he would probz win the ryder cup 4 you.

As it i'm english and supporting europe!

I'm definately glad Tiger's out, although it will lose some of its magic as a veiwing specacle for me.

Alot of ppl say it's better to watch golf without tiger - i disagree.

I love watching Tiger, he's brilliant and i'm always cheering him on coz i love the way he goes about his golf. He makes golf more fascinating to watch, as even wen he's playing badly he scrapes through usually to contend!

You ought to be  gutted, you dont have a particularly strong team without him, and Aziinger's right - YOU ARE UNDERDOGS, & you will lose!!!

Answer 6

I think your facts there say it all. Lost 13 matches.

I'm from the UK so am not supporting US :D

I would think that there are pros and cons of Tiger not being there.

Pros - It gives chance for another player to shine, and to see if the US can play without him

Cons - I am sure that whoever plays Tiger would fear him more than anybody else in the US

Answer 7

Woods cares about one thing; majors.  Anything else is, frankly, not his bag.  Look at 2004; on home soil, he acts like he frankly doesn't care in team competitions.  

Now, let's go to last year's President's Cup.  Woods v. Weir in singles.

Weir was well and truly inspired in front of a home crowd, and won.  

Then you have Hunter Mahan basically saying "who gives a c**p about the Ryder Cup" because...wow, having to give up 5 or 6 days to represent his country in a team competition is so unfair.