Ryder Cup Predictions
September 18th 2008 15:21
PLAYER MOST LIKELY TO BE RECOGNIZABLE (FOR GOOD PLAY) - EURO DIVISION: Henrik Stenson. For the past few years, he's been the BGNOFTSHHO (Best Golf No One From The States Has Heard Of). Really, really solid golfer, and I suspect will be a large factor for the Ryder Cup team.
PLAYER MOST LIKELY TO RECOGNIZABLE (FOR GOOD PLAY) - U.S. DIVISION: Ben Curtis. Yes, he's a major winner, but no one knew him then (and it was five years ago). But, no one seems to give him credit for being a damned consistent golfer for the last three seasons, and probably the hottest player for the U.S. over the last two months.
PLAYER MOST LIKELY TO BE RECOGNIZABLE (FOR POOR PLAY) - EURO DIVISION: Ian Poulter. Kind of common sense, as he was a very controversial pick, likely the most controversial since Strange over Janzen in 1995. And,as I mentioned in a previous post, Poulter hasn't been exactly lighting it up this year, unlike say a Darren Clarke. So, if Europe loses by a point or so and Poutler goes something like 0-3-1, meet your goat, Europe!
PLAYER MOST LIKELY TO BE RECOGNIZABLE (FOR POOR PLAY) - U.S. DIVISION: Kenny Perry. If you have read or glanced at a golf article over the past five months with Kenny Perry involved, you will likely know he is the "home state kid" in the tournament (along with pick J.B. Holmes). But, what if Kenny stinks it up, especially after skipping the British Open to play in Milwaukee to get more Ryder Cup points when he was playing some of the best golf in his life? And it's not like he was in much danger of missing the team at the time, either by points or captain pick.
[BLEAST LIKELY ASSISTANT RYDER CUP CAPTAIN:[/B] Olin Browne?!?!? WTF, was Dillard Pruitt or Jay Delsing not available? Is he going to equate Ryder Cup pressure to J.B. Holmes to shooting -14 and winning the Greater Hartford 300 years ago? (Though I do like Stockton and Floyd being there).
FILL IN THE BLANK: FOR THE EUROPE TEAM TO WIN ______ HAS TO HAVE A GREAT RYDER CUP: I think Sergio is the answer. He is the emotional leader of this team, and we have all seen what he looks like when he's playing bad (kind of like Monty). If he's playing great, it could be good night to the U.S. early. If not, the opposite could very well be the truth.
FILL IN THE BLANK: FOR THE U.S.TEAM TO WIN ______ HAS TO HAVE A GREAT RYDER CUP Anthony Kim. Kind of like Sergio, he's cocky (borderline arrogant) and brings an youthful exuberance to a team that REALLY needs it. Mickelson never seems to care much about this thing (though I'm sure he does), Cinkand Perry are milquetoast, Furyk can get a little fiery I guess, but Kim needs to be the Seve for the U.S. The guy who will just get under the Euros skin and steal a point or two from them.
[BPREDICTION[/B]: PAIN.
Okay, I think this is a lot closer than most. Seriously, outside of Padraig, Sergio and maybe Stenson who really worries you if you're the U.S. No more Monty or Clarke or Olazabal (though Olly is an asst. captain. Hey, maybe him and Olin Browne can swap recipes!), and this Euro team doesn't look so dangerous. I'm going to go with:
TIE 14-14. Euro's retain.
I'm going to try and live blog this tomorrow. We'll see if I can wake up early enough.
PLAYER MOST LIKELY TO RECOGNIZABLE (FOR GOOD PLAY) - U.S. DIVISION: Ben Curtis. Yes, he's a major winner, but no one knew him then (and it was five years ago). But, no one seems to give him credit for being a damned consistent golfer for the last three seasons, and probably the hottest player for the U.S. over the last two months.
PLAYER MOST LIKELY TO BE RECOGNIZABLE (FOR POOR PLAY) - EURO DIVISION: Ian Poulter. Kind of common sense, as he was a very controversial pick, likely the most controversial since Strange over Janzen in 1995. And,as I mentioned in a previous post, Poulter hasn't been exactly lighting it up this year, unlike say a Darren Clarke. So, if Europe loses by a point or so and Poutler goes something like 0-3-1, meet your goat, Europe!
PLAYER MOST LIKELY TO BE RECOGNIZABLE (FOR POOR PLAY) - U.S. DIVISION: Kenny Perry. If you have read or glanced at a golf article over the past five months with Kenny Perry involved, you will likely know he is the "home state kid" in the tournament (along with pick J.B. Holmes). But, what if Kenny stinks it up, especially after skipping the British Open to play in Milwaukee to get more Ryder Cup points when he was playing some of the best golf in his life? And it's not like he was in much danger of missing the team at the time, either by points or captain pick.
[BLEAST LIKELY ASSISTANT RYDER CUP CAPTAIN:[/B] Olin Browne?!?!? WTF, was Dillard Pruitt or Jay Delsing not available? Is he going to equate Ryder Cup pressure to J.B. Holmes to shooting -14 and winning the Greater Hartford 300 years ago? (Though I do like Stockton and Floyd being there).
FILL IN THE BLANK: FOR THE EUROPE TEAM TO WIN ______ HAS TO HAVE A GREAT RYDER CUP: I think Sergio is the answer. He is the emotional leader of this team, and we have all seen what he looks like when he's playing bad (kind of like Monty). If he's playing great, it could be good night to the U.S. early. If not, the opposite could very well be the truth.
FILL IN THE BLANK: FOR THE U.S.TEAM TO WIN ______ HAS TO HAVE A GREAT RYDER CUP Anthony Kim. Kind of like Sergio, he's cocky (borderline arrogant) and brings an youthful exuberance to a team that REALLY needs it. Mickelson never seems to care much about this thing (though I'm sure he does), Cinkand Perry are milquetoast, Furyk can get a little fiery I guess, but Kim needs to be the Seve for the U.S. The guy who will just get under the Euros skin and steal a point or two from them.
[BPREDICTION[/B]: PAIN.
Okay, I think this is a lot closer than most. Seriously, outside of Padraig, Sergio and maybe Stenson who really worries you if you're the U.S. No more Monty or Clarke or Olazabal (though Olly is an asst. captain. Hey, maybe him and Olin Browne can swap recipes!), and this Euro team doesn't look so dangerous. I'm going to go with:
TIE 14-14. Euro's retain.
I'm going to try and live blog this tomorrow. We'll see if I can wake up early enough.
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