A lot of the lead-up to the Ryder Cup has centered on the projected pairings that the captains will reveal on Thursday. Here are my first-day lineups for the US team. First some background:
Fowler, DJ, Koepka, Reed, Spieth, and Thomas. These are all horses who will show up, give the Americans side some solid golf and be able to go for up to five sessions if needed. Now the question for Captain Furyk and company is how to line up the other six players effectively so that their strengths are leveraged and they won't hurt the team.
Tiger is playing very, very well right now and his all around game and experience will be intimidating to many opponents. Furthermore, he may be more effective than the Tiger of old in a Ryder Cup because he is no longer a hunted man. Europe won't be able to target him and rally around a win against him. He is also a bit disarming in that he has a greater appreciation of life, golf, and this event, so the the Euro side might not give him so stern a match. However, Tiger won't be able to play five matches, more likely three. It has been a long year culminating in a big win that had to be wearing on his 42-year-old body.
Mickelson is not on form right now and is only on the team because of his experience and leadership. He was vocal after the 2014 loss in Europe and his comments may have led to some much-needed changes which led to the Hazeltine victory. Expect no more than three matches from Phil as he prepares to be captain in the very near future.
Dechambeau, with his quirky style and his is propensity to lose his temper, may be a player who needs to be hidden for this Ryder Cup on European soil. There will be many audible comments about his approach to the game and he is a rookie not yet steeled in playing in front of an adversarial audience. Tony Finau is a bomber and this is not going to be a bombers course, rather one in which a missed fairway may result in a US Open-style bogey. Ditto the emotional Bubba Watson, for whom the Ryder Cup in Europe is not very well-suited. None of these three would seem to be a wise choice for the Friday foursomes.
Webb Simpson is a short but straight hitter with a steady putter who may be valuable as a member of a foursome pair.
I would try to get everyone into the action on Day 1 so that they can all get a feel for the matches. I believe that golfers don't sit out well and each man will be playing for an important point on his own in Sunday singles. Assuming the Americans are not facing a big deficit after Friday morning, giving everyone some action on Friday makes the most sense. Here's my lineup:
FRIDAY FOUR-BALLS (Best Ball)
Spieth and Reed. This was the best US pair at Gleneagles and there is no reason not to let them lead the team out. Reed is not an easy person to pair with and Spieth is probably the best-suited to do so. Rinse.
Thomas and DJ. Should be a birdie-fest here.
Tiger and Dechambeau. Bryson has stated he would like to play with Tiger. Maybe he can flourish with the steady Woods by his side.
Finau and Watson. I know the pressure will be great in the opening matches but you have to get these two out in better-ball if they are going to play on Friday.
FRIDAY FOURSOMES (Alternate Shot)
Fowler and Mickelson. These two have paired very well in the past.
DJ and Koepka: DJ is becoming a stud team player and deserves the doubleheader. The two good friends will be able to play second from the fairway during their match.
Spieth and Reed: Repeat.
Thomas and Simpson: The southerners should team well and keep the ball in play. Simpson would be a steadying influence on the fiery Thomas.
I should have my all-important Sunday singles lineup vis-a-vis the projected European slate posted after Saturday .
Fowler, DJ, Koepka, Reed, Spieth, and Thomas. These are all horses who will show up, give the Americans side some solid golf and be able to go for up to five sessions if needed. Now the question for Captain Furyk and company is how to line up the other six players effectively so that their strengths are leveraged and they won't hurt the team.
Tiger is playing very, very well right now and his all around game and experience will be intimidating to many opponents. Furthermore, he may be more effective than the Tiger of old in a Ryder Cup because he is no longer a hunted man. Europe won't be able to target him and rally around a win against him. He is also a bit disarming in that he has a greater appreciation of life, golf, and this event, so the the Euro side might not give him so stern a match. However, Tiger won't be able to play five matches, more likely three. It has been a long year culminating in a big win that had to be wearing on his 42-year-old body.
Mickelson is not on form right now and is only on the team because of his experience and leadership. He was vocal after the 2014 loss in Europe and his comments may have led to some much-needed changes which led to the Hazeltine victory. Expect no more than three matches from Phil as he prepares to be captain in the very near future.
Dechambeau, with his quirky style and his is propensity to lose his temper, may be a player who needs to be hidden for this Ryder Cup on European soil. There will be many audible comments about his approach to the game and he is a rookie not yet steeled in playing in front of an adversarial audience. Tony Finau is a bomber and this is not going to be a bombers course, rather one in which a missed fairway may result in a US Open-style bogey. Ditto the emotional Bubba Watson, for whom the Ryder Cup in Europe is not very well-suited. None of these three would seem to be a wise choice for the Friday foursomes.
Webb Simpson is a short but straight hitter with a steady putter who may be valuable as a member of a foursome pair.
I would try to get everyone into the action on Day 1 so that they can all get a feel for the matches. I believe that golfers don't sit out well and each man will be playing for an important point on his own in Sunday singles. Assuming the Americans are not facing a big deficit after Friday morning, giving everyone some action on Friday makes the most sense. Here's my lineup:
FRIDAY FOUR-BALLS (Best Ball)
Spieth and Reed. This was the best US pair at Gleneagles and there is no reason not to let them lead the team out. Reed is not an easy person to pair with and Spieth is probably the best-suited to do so. Rinse.
Thomas and DJ. Should be a birdie-fest here.
Tiger and Dechambeau. Bryson has stated he would like to play with Tiger. Maybe he can flourish with the steady Woods by his side.
Finau and Watson. I know the pressure will be great in the opening matches but you have to get these two out in better-ball if they are going to play on Friday.
FRIDAY FOURSOMES (Alternate Shot)
Fowler and Mickelson. These two have paired very well in the past.
DJ and Koepka: DJ is becoming a stud team player and deserves the doubleheader. The two good friends will be able to play second from the fairway during their match.
Spieth and Reed: Repeat.
Thomas and Simpson: The southerners should team well and keep the ball in play. Simpson would be a steadying influence on the fiery Thomas.
I should have my all-important Sunday singles lineup vis-a-vis the projected European slate posted after Saturday .
