I guess Reed is paying the publicity price with declaring himself a top 5 golfer

I don't see Watson liking it either.

Wonder how much pressure gets put on a captain yo pick Tiger? Lets face it he adds to the ratings no matter how poorly he plays

Sure, just saying it's tough to pass up #10 on the list in favor of current #70.

Right now Zach is #9 and Reed #10, but what if that is reversed? Zach gets picked for sure.

Dufner is currently #8, he could fall out for sure. If he did he'd get picked as well. Kuchar should be safe at #7 as there's a big gap.

So it's possible that Zach, Dufner, Phil, Webb, and Keegan could all miss. Unless Tiger scores a top 10 or something I just don't see Tom picking him over any of those guys. And that's ignoring guys like Brendon Todd, Chris Kirk, Ryan Moore and Harris English, all currently in the top 20. If one of those guys qualifies on points that's one less proven stud that gets left out. As it is now, including Tiger at least one stud will be staying home.

BO

Tom doesn't give a damn about ratings. Now whether or not he gets pressure from the PGA of America about this could be a different matter.

BO

Do you honestly believe that?

Maybe I'm off base, I don't have any insider information, but I would put the odds of Tiger being picked at close to 100%. You don't leave arguably (not really) the greatest golfer to ever play the game off your team for guys like Webb Simpson, Keegan Bradley, or Jason Dufner.

Unless Watson is actively seeking to invite widespread criticism and outrage at a level that would threaten to overshadow the entire competition, I don't see any way he doesn't pick a healthy and willing Tiger.

I've got no inside info either, just know that Tom doesn't care about politics, just cares about fielding the best team possible.

You can look at it the opposite way, if Tiger is playing poorly and he gets picked, then it could also overshadow the competition. Works both ways.

But yes, I honestly believe that. And here's a question for you, if Tiger finishes in the bottom half of the field at Firestone and then misses the cut at the PGA, you still think he gets picked? What if all five of Phil, Zach, Webb, Keegan and Dufner finish 10-14 on the list? You think Tom leaves three of those guys at home in favor of a golfer that is currently 70th on the points list?

If you think Tiger still gets picked then you also might think Tom should pick himself since he's a much greater golfer than Zach, Webb, Keegan and Dufner.

BO

Yes.

Yes. And it's between the last 4 you listed for one spot in that scenario. Phil is in too.

Why do you have to be so silly and condescending?

Not condescending, but certainly silly because I think picking Tiger even if he can't break an egg is silly as well. It's all about picking the three players that can help the team the most right here right now. Not about how great he was in 2000 or 2008, it's about right now. And if he does nothing in the two upcoming tournaments, he hasn't shown he can compete in the here and now.

BO

Are you even talking about what you think will happen, or what you think should happen.

As much as you want to keep telling yourself Watson isnt going to pick Tiger if he isnt playing well, it doesnt make it true. Tiger is a 100% lock.

Besides I think this is going to be irrelevant as I expect him to play decent the next few events

Neither. Providing what if scenarios. Nobody knows what the next month of golf will bring.

So you believe Tom has lied to us on more than one occasion about this?

At least one good finish would make things much easier for Captain Watson. But we both know he might only have two events to accomplish such.

BO

Yes I do believe he has. Do you want him to just come out and say hes on the team now? That doesnt provide Tiger with alot of motivation... BO will we have a wager on whether or not Tiger gets picked if he plays poorly in both events?

I've done avatar wagers with cwice in the past, depending on Tiger's performance in the next month we might be able to work something out.

BO

That sounds good to me although who really wants me to get rid of my Sergio avatar from the Players lol. I think it may be time for a change anyways as he is turning it around

Good Point Myself if he doesn't qualify for the Fed Ex No I don't think he should be on the team. Also I think Tom has the balls to leave him off

I don't think Watson will pick Tiger if he plays poorly at Firestone and the PGA.

Despite pretty horrible play at the British, I actually thought it was the best way to shoot bad scores. Much rather see him make a handful of big numbers (2 triples and 3 doubles I think) along with quite a few birdies, than to do nothing good really all week.

He seemed to be pain free and was capable of generating plenty of power. I expect him to clean his game up in the next month, play well at both events and get picked.

Pass on reed

Definitely not taking Reed either

If woods top tens in either Firestone or the PGA he is in. If not Watson will pass on him. He can always use the he's still recovering line, which is actually true. What should happen is Watson should give him a pick based on his GOATiness. and Woods should decline based on his lousy play and can't find the planet with his driver.

I'm no fan of Reed but he does have that kind of vibe that could flourish in a Ryder Cup format ala Ian Poulter. Not sure how well he gets along with other Tour players after hearing the issues he had with his college teammates, so stuff like that doesn't probably work too well in his favor.

Sidenote: I'm glad Fowler is earning his way in, thought he should have been a captain's pick last go round.

What's bare minimum Woods needs if he doesn't qualify for FedEx cup. Few top 10's still do it...

Been mentioned many times that he's only playing twice before the playoffs start so he won't have "a few top 10's". I'd think he needs to be in the mix in one of them at the bare minimum. Firestone is a non-cut event.

BO

Well I'm pretty aware that I think more highly of Reed than everyone else here. He has been pretty weak in recent weeks but he has closed the deal a high percentage of the time when in contention and his match play record during his amateur days is pretty good IIRC. I can't really see taking English over him unless someone on the team really is lobbying for him as a partner.

On the one hand I think Tiger and Spieth would do well because of Spieth's putter, but I think that's more because Spieth will do well with anyone, his game doesn't really have weaknesses. Not sure I wouldn't rather put Jordan with someone else more his age who he can team with for a long time. Like Spieth/Fowler could be sick.

Why not play more Tiger? It shows Tom that it is important. Have a press conference and say heck I want to make the Fed Ex cup so Tom will consider me as a captains pick. That way he leaves Tom the out

i agree with lozen. If tiger wants to play, he needs to play at least 3 or 4 of the events. Otherwise he is just putting watson in a tough spot. if you say you want to be on the team, show me you want to be on the team. If i am tom watson, i say tiger, if you are healthy enough to play RC, you are healthy enough to play 4 events. Even if you miss all 4 cuts, I will put you on the team if you show me it means that much to you.

As one of the GOATs of the sport or GOAT (not getting into that debate here) you have earned the right to play in my mind...but you have to show me that you are willing to sacrifice for it.

Top 10's in both of those is what I meant by a few. That still could keep him out of Fed Ex I think depending. Post 2 top 10's but still no Fed Ex gotta take him still, no?

I think in that case he takes him, but a couple of T40's won't do it.