Quote:
Originally Posted by Rick Diesel
I am getting in a draft at work. Anyone mind ranking both the USA and Euros from 1-12 separately?
Moreso because I love making lists and I love golf, I'd be happy to take a shot at this. This is completely subjective, and worthy of getting critical scorn, but going in as a captain, without world golf rankings to use as a barometer, this would be my depth chart:
USA
1. Hunter Mahan - Right here, right now, the best player on the US side. I would send him out all five matches and ride him like Boo tried to ride the pony 2 years ago before the Sunday singles off the first tee.
2. Jim Furyk - Arguably the player on best form in the entire match. Too solid to sit the first day, or any day. Bad move, Corey.
3. Steve Stricker - One of the best putters in the world needs to overcome a balky putter. If he's making putts, you won't beat him.
4. Phil Mickleson - Phil the Thrill will swing for the fences, and maybe no one on either side can win as easily on pure talent.
5. Tiger Woods - Playing for a comeback this week. The world number one will try to regain that form.
6. Zach Johnson - Aside from Martin Kaymer, maybe the most consistent on either side from tee to green.
7. Matt Kuchar - The wunderkind came to the fore this year, finally. Another great putter, needs to put fatigue aside for one week.
8. Dustin Johnson - Guts. Pure Guts. And he'll hit it farther than you commute this entire year.
9. Bubba Watson - see Dustin Johnson.
10. Stewart Cink - A solid player, if coming in off form. A stalwart, so look for a couple of points out of him.
11. Ricky Fowler - Great young player, super talent. And a super unknown this week.
12. Jeff Overton - This kid hits it a mile too, but he had a great year without a win and could be worn out. Don't look for much here.
Euros
1. Martin Kaymer - Possibly the best all around player in the world. Think Geoff Ogilvy in his US Open year and the year after.
2. Rory McIlroy - The current wunderkind. Can do almost anything he wants on the golf course.
3. Luke Donald - Zach Johnson with more explosiveness.
4. Graeme McDowell - A gritty Irishman with a world game.
5. Ian Poulter - He is who we thought he was. A gamer. He will get his share this week.
6. Lee Westwood - Only question mark is health. If he's healthy, move him up four spots. The Ryder Cup experience on this side, and maybe the next Monty.
7. Edoardo Molinari - Fiery, Spanish, and gets to play with his brother. Going to be fun to watch.
8. Miguel Angel Jimenez - pretty terrible Ryder Cup record, but a great player. Clearly the coolest player on both sides as well.
9. Ross Fisher - scary. He will sneak up on everyone this weekend. Won an international match play event last year. Solid.
10. Peter Hanson - a bit of an unknown, but the kind of Euro player who will surprise everyone.
11. Francesco Molinari - not as fiery as his brother, but solid nonetheless.
12. Paddy Harrington - off form with too much to prove. Paddy is not the kind of player who can help and win without his game. Must see more.
For those that are curious, here are the players on each side according to the World Golf Rankings, with actual WGO rankings in parentheses:
USA
1. Tiger Woods (1)
2. Phil Mickelson (2)
3. Steve Stricker (4)
4. Jim Furyk (5)
5. Matt Kuchar (11)
6. Dustin Johnson (12)
7. Hunter Mahan (14)
8. Zach Johnson (19)
9. Bubba Watson (24)
10. Rickie Fowler (33)
11. Stewart Cink (35)
12. Jeff Overton (48)
Euros
1. Lee Westwood (3)
2. Martin Kaymer (6)
3. Luke Donald (8)
4. Rory McIlroy (9)
5. Graeme McDowell (13)
6. Edoardo Molinari (15)
7. Ian Poulter (16)
8. Padraig Harrington (22)
9. Miguel Angel Jimenez (26)
10. Ross Fisher (27)
11. Francesco Molinari (32)
12. Peter Hanson (42)