I was listening to Davis Love talk this morning and he mentioned how they were looking deep into statistics, and the formula was a lot more complicated than "the course is really long so pick big hitters". He was pretty cagey and didn't elaborate much beyond that but it got me thinking about what the other criteria might be.

The par 5's look mostly unreachable, so maybe wedge play is more important than distance since they are 3 shot holes anyway?

I'm not sure if the course favors draws or fades, but maybe you pick a player based partially on what they're go-to shot is?

I don't know if this is the case but if most of his team draws or fades the ball and the Euro's are the opposite, can he just stuff all the flags on one side of the green on Sunday?

Bubba is ranked 7th to Rickie's 9th.
Bubba finished 9th in points to Rickie's 11th.
Bubba has a 3-8-0 Ryder Cup record to Rickie's 0-3-5 record.

You rag on Bubba's stats, Rickie's are worse, and you are fine with picking Rickie? Really?

Other players like Rickie, other players don't like Bubba. That's the only reason Rickie got picked over Bubba. Just a typical high school popularity contest.

Also the reason why the U.S. has been getting their ass kicked.

The points, OWGR, etc. are basically a wash. Rickie's Ryder Cup's stats are actually better. Importantly, Bubba was zero points from 3 singles matches and Rickie has a 1/2 from two matches.

That aside, my feelings go back to your post a few days ago about what type of players you want in a team match-play event. I feel that Rickie is more of a bulldog. I'm guessing he's probably better in the locker room too, which is important during all the downtime and in building a "soldier next to me in the foxhole" mentality.

So yeah, that's my "proof" with being OK with Rickie over Bubba.

One of the complaints is that U.S. teams have no camaraderie, maybe not bringing in a prickly personality is the deciding factor in what is basically a wash in stats (isn't Ricky's Ryder Cup record technically better?).

Neither Watson or Rickie should be on the team but yea talking about team unity and bringing a guy in Bubba who has openly admitted he doesn't like people isn't bright.

Bubba isn't a Patrick Reed type prick that can fuel off the hatred. He's simply a prick that acts like a baby when things don't go his way.

DGBG, curious to hear your 4 picks. You OK with Kooch and Holmes? If so, who are your other two?

Think Rickie joining the task force and devoting time over the last two years to figure out how to win the Ryder Cup pretty well assured him a spot on the team. As long as he was not terrible and showed anything on the course he was going to be on the team.

Think the last spot comes down to Berger, Watson and maybe Furyk (really think the course might not suit Furyk). It really could depend on how Love draws up the pairings. Last time Love coached he really did not mix and match the pairings he put 6 pairings together and kept them together. If that is the case he will know who the odd man out is and who he needs to find a partner for and who they want to play with and a good idea if they are going to be run out for a couple 4 ball matches or alternate shot matches. Even if he follows the Azinger pod system )Phil seems to like) he will know the pod that needs a 4th and who fits into that pod.

edit just read that Phil indicated Tiger was really prepared and was already telling players who they would be paired with and what matches they would likely to play in. Which fits that the last choice has a likely partner and likely in either a 4 ball or alternate shot matches. Seems Tiiger might be taking over a lot of the decisions. Which if true would have to lean for Furyk playing but also maybe more of a mix and matching of players between 4 ball and alternate shot.

Tiger is without a doubt smart enough to come up with a better strategy than the rest of these guys so if he just does everything then its probably best. Also, Tiger seems like the type that would absolutely be fine sitting someone the whole event and just letting them play singles. I wouldn't mind that approach and think Bubba would be ideal for that in that hes good enough to beat anyone and should be a favorite in most pairings.

If you take Bubba, you would have to run him out on the 4 ball matches. But Bubba really comes down to whether you believe the course suits his eye/game. He seems to be a player who plays certain courses as well as/better then anyone in the game and other courses he looks pretty average to below. Guessing the conversation on how the course does/does not suit him has occurred between Love and the captains.

I doubt anyone just plays singles. Be a total slap in the face and you would be conceding their single match. Whoever the 12th is they are not going to be that much a liability and talent wise on par with 5-11.

Stats-wise Fowler is better in almost every category than either Berger or Thomas this year.

It's true Rickie's been inconsistent this year but so has Berger and Thomas. Rickie was the 54-hole leader against a stacked field a couple of weeks ago. He's also popular with fans and this is still a spectator event. I have no problem with the pick.

Yea I'm fine with them although Koooch is sort of light Furyk. I'm all for young blood getting into the mix. Hungry, fresh guys the same way Reed was on his first Ryder Cup. Gimme JB who is a lock pick, Berger and Thomas. If I'm taking Kooch out then I'm putting Billy Horschel in there. I want young confident borderline arrogant picks on my team. Poulter has shown how well it's worked for him. This isn't like any other golfing event and certain attitudes and mindsets play much better on that stage.

I'd probably put Billy ahead of Thomas more I think about it but if Fowler is on team then lean is Thomas for chemistry.

Rickie is definitely better in the locker room, and he might be a bulldog, but he hasn't performed yet. And yes, technically Rickie has a better record than Bubba even though he has never won a match!

I guess when it comes right down to it, a player doesn't have to be good in the locker room. He just has to have a connection with one player who he can go out and kick ass with. For someone like Reed, that guy might be Speith.

Naturally, if I had Bubba on my team, I'd put him out in both fourballs and sit him in both foursomes.


I tend to agree that Tiger can draw up a detailed plan to give the U.S. a better chance to win than in past matches. It's also interesting that Kooch mentioned that Tiger could be a possibility for the final pick. There are obviously many better players to pick from, but that could be a massive spark for the U.S. team. As with Bubba, play him in fourball only.

Some interesting discussion going here, keep it up guys!

lol at Tiger getting picked. WTF? If they know something we don't and hes in top form then that would be hilarious and I would love to see him smashing Euros left and right. If they like the 11 they have and don't want anyone sitting too much or whatever then I don't hate Tiger being picked, sitting out everything, and playing singles only though even if he is not even close to being back. After all, it would only be 18 holes and he's probably the best match play golfer ever to live. Would also be a great venue for his return from a fan perspective.

Furyk is like 8-15-1 lifetime at the Ryder Cup.

I'm all for giving an older player like Furyk one more shot and his putter can get really hot but I'd pass on him if it were my decision.

wait....Tiger is playing for the US in Ryder Cup??

This is either awesome or awful, I'm not sure which.

Also, I think it's time the Ryder Cup U.S. team be expanded to "The Americas."

Europe kicks our ass way too often.

Tiger playing is a hot rumor and nothing more

Looks like Beef earned a tour card.

Watching a replay of the 1991 Ryder Cup on TGC. Members on the U.S. team include Lanny Wadkins, Ray Floyd, Corey Pavin, and Paul Azinger. Those are the types of fiery gutsy players who don't give two ****s about opinion that the U.S. sorely needs right now.

It still took a missed 6-footer by Langer on the 18th hole of the final match for the US to win. So again, variance. Langer probably makes that putt 7 out of 10 times.

I think the concept of "fiery, gutsy players" (whatever that means) is hugely overrated. It's golf. Hit good shots, make putts.

Didn't Hale Irwin and Calc choke like big dogs in that one?

Of course there is variance involved in the results, and you can keep stating that every time I make a post. But that does not change the concept I'm advocating.

And here's what I don't think you understand. It's not just golf, tons of players can hit quality shots in the typical 72 hole tournament. Many of those players cannot go hit quality shots in the Ryder Cup. It is a totally different animal. You cannot mentally prepare for it, you cannot physically prepare for it. It takes a certain type of individual to deal with it. And the typical nice guy PGA Tour cash machine can't.

Pga is not the same without tiger it's just not

Well we disagree on this I guess. Dufner and DJ were the top 2 performers on the 2012 team, hard to think of 2 more mellow, less fiery guys. Golf is not like football, the rah-rah stuff really has no impact imo.

I am sure some handle the pressure better than others but it doesn't take a fiery personality to handle pressure.

Yes, among several others.

The wind made a difficult course extremely difficult.

91 Ryder Cup was one of the best ever