The 2012 Ryder Cup Thread, 28-30 September

[bluejock]

The 39th Ryder Cup matches will be played at Medinah Country Club, Illinois from Friday 28th til Sunday 30th September.

Europe

The defending champions, having won at Celtic Manor in 2010, Europe will be captained by Spain's José María Olazábal, assisted by vice captains Thomas Bjørn, Darren Clarke, Paul McGinley and Miguel Ã￾ngel Jiménez.

The 10 automatic qualifiers were

1. Rory McIlroy (NI)
2. Luke Donald (Eng)
3. Justin Rose (Eng)
4. Lee Westwood (Eng)
5. Graeme McDowell (NI)
6. Paul Lawrie (Sco)
7. Sergio Garcia (Spa)
8. Francesco Molinari (Ita)
9. Peter Hanson (Swe)
10. Martin Kaymer (Ger)

In addition, there were two Captain's picks

11. Ian Poulter (Eng)
12. Nicolas Colsaerts (Bel)

Colsaerts is the only member of the 12 to have never played a Ryder Cup before and is Belgium's first ever competitor. Five more of the European team have never played in the competition on US soil before.

USA

The hosts will be captained by Davis Love III assisted by vice captains Fred Couples, Mike Hulbert, Jeff Sluman and Scott Verplank.

Having differing qualifying criteria, USA only have 8 automatic qualifiers, these being

1. Tiger Woods
2. Bubba Watson
3. Jason Dufner
4. Keegan Bradley
5. Webb Simpson
6. Zach Johnson
7. Matt Kuchar
8. Phil Mickleson

The four captains picks were

9. Jim Furyk
10. Steve Stricker
11. Dustin Johnson
12. Brandt Snedeker.

There are four rookies in this year's American line up but Woods, Furyk and Mickleson have made 6, 7 and 8 appearances respectively so will add some much needed experience.

Course

Medinah Country Club's course three will be the setting for this year's matches. Measuring a daunting 7,657 yards (7,002 m), the course will favour the bigger hitters, McIlroy and Colsaerts for Europe, Woods and Bubba Watson for USA.

The course has previously hosted five major championships, including three US Opens and two PGA Championships.

Jock's Prediction.

Europe are nominally favourites but I see this as possibly the closest competition in the last couple of decades. A draw (with Europe retaining the trophy) is a real possibility. The resurgence of Tiger Woods will be a huge plus for USA whilst Europe will hope that the Northern Irish pairing of McIlroy and McDowell will pay dividends once again.

I can see Europe maybe just sneaking this 14.5-13.5.

 

[Goat]

But, its Golf????

 

[Kurt.]

But it's Ace.

 

[bluejock]

Starting to get excited about this now, just hope I get home in time for it.

 

[Slavan]

cant wait,
how does the scoring work?

 

[bluejock]

cant wait,
how does the scoring work?

One point for each match, 28 points up for grabs.

First day there are four foursomes matches and four fourball matches.
Second day it's the same, again with 8 points available.
On Sunday it's 12 singles matches.

 

[Slavan]

who do you reckon will be top european?

 

[bluejock]

Can't look past McIlroy, he's world number one for a reason and definitely a performer for the big stage.

Sergio Garcia always seems to do well in Ryder cups and Paul Lawrie is in the form of his life, similarly, Justin Rose.

 

[Bigmaclad]

Cannot wait for this!!

 

[bluejock]

Cannot wait for this!!

Or me mate, I love it. Can't wait for Gleneagles in two years time.

 

[Kurt.]

Can Liverpool pick up any points here ???

 

[Bigmaclad]

Or me mate, I love it. Can't wait for Gleneagles in two years time.

I will get to one in my lifetime!

 

[The Esk]

Amazing sporting event - mainly because of one man who resurrected it, sadly not present in person this year but certainly in spirit.

 

[peteblue]

Amazing sporting event - mainly because of one man who resurrected it, sadly not present in person this year but certainly in spirit.

Fantastic player and character, and I hate golf.....

 

[ijjysmith]

Hmmm, do i care about this?

I'm not sure yet.