2010 Ryder Cup - Fourball

7:45 AM -- Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson (USA) vs. Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer (EUR)
8:00 AM -- Stewart Cink and Matt Kuchar (USA) vs. Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell (EUR)
8:15 AM -- Steve Stricker and Tiger Woods (USA) vs. Ian Poulter and Ross Fisher (EUR)
8:30 AM -- Bubba Watson and Jeff Overton (USA) vs. Luke Donald and Padraig Harrington (EUR)

I give Captain Corey Pavin (CCP) a C+. Furyk would hvae paired well with Cink, Watson, or Overton, as would Zach Johnson, who excels at 8-15 foot putts. I'm not surprised Mahan has a late wake up call, but I think Fowler could have have energized the US team with an early win. Additionally, I'm sure Watson/Fowler have orchestrated some crazy handshakes for post birdie/eagle celebration.

Thankfully, European Captain Montgomerie fared almost as poorly (B-). Kaymer is a must play, as are Westwood, McIlroy, and McDowell, but his final two pairings are short hitting duos, and Harrington's flight should have been scheduled to arrive Saturday evening. Ross Fisher is a wildcard, and Luke Donald is playing well.
Europe's final pairings are too similar in their games.

Expect a short course setup in the morning.

Ryder Cup 2010

Celtic Manor is upon the us. The Ryder Cup is two days away. Corey Pavin, heed my advice, and fist pumping up the fairways carrying the Ryder Cup trophy will be almost as sweet as your Cleveland 4W baton at Shinnecock Hills in 1995.

Friday AM - Fourball

Tiger Woods & Steve Stricker - The dynamic duo from Harding Park, the pairings works, and they should be inseparable during the week.

Phil Mickelson & Dustin Johnson - Practcie round buddies, requested to play together. Grant their request (only in fourball).

Jeff Overton & Jim Furyk - Team USA has a propensity for playing all team members on Day 1, and you don't want JO spraying it in the afternoon foursomes. Pair him with the hot hand and Ryder Cup vet.

Bubba Watson & Rickie Fowler - Again, a pairing of brochachos. Rookie jitters are superseded by ability to bag fowl.


Friday PM - Foursomes

TW & SS - The Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson (or Danny Devito and Rhea Perlman) of the Ryder Cup

PM & Stewart Cink - Both good putters. SC provides length and accuracy.

Zach Johnson & Matt Kuchar - Put them on the range together in the AM, comaring the likenesses between Des Moines and Atlanta. Plus, a hotter hand (ZJ) and the slightly-cooling-off MK.

JF & Hunter Mahan - Both have Ryder Cup experience, and their games (similar length & putting ability) mesh well.

KC Chiefs - 3-0

The title is a bit of a misnomer, as I'm more impressed with Thomas Jones than the Chiefs staying undefeated through Week 3. The guy just wins ballgames. A three time castaway (Cardinals, Bears, Jets), his teams are winners, and he produces, often in the backup RB role. He's a great platoon player, and knows his role.

Jeff George

I was at the beach LDW and wanted to throw around the pigskin. The only option was a relic. Not the contemporary Nerf-y garbage, the football was older than 80% of the people on the beach. If it were to get wet, it would have weighed 93lbs. It was autographed by Knute Rockne.

Man did my arm hurt all week.

Ryder Cup Captain's Picks

I'm guessing Pavin selects (in order of confidence):

Tiger Woods
Zach Johnson
Stewart Cink
Anthony Kim (despite the bad wrist)

I'm shaky on my Kim pick, if not Kim, I'd expect Nick Watney. I'd love to see Rickie Fowler, but I think we'll have to wait until 2012.

Sorry Charlie Hoffman, if one tournament win made you a selection, Greg Kraft (Puerto Rico 2009) should be really upset.