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Monday 22 September 2014

Ryder Cup 2014 Preview...


The Ryder Cup is fast approaching.  Who will you be watching??
For the European team, all eyes will be on Rory McIlroy to continue his golden season. Individually, the Northern Irishman has had a marvelous campaign, winning both the British Open and the USPGA Championship; now the 25-year-old will be hoping to spur Europe on to their third consecutive Ryder Cup win.  Alongside him on the European team is Mr. Ryder Cup himself, Ian Poulter. It's worth noting that Poulter has never lost a match in the Ryder Cup.


While the hosts are undeniably the big favourites this time round, Tom Watson will be able to call on a few quality players himself, perhaps most notably Rickie Fowler.  You all know I am a big fan of Rickie!  I am so pleased with how he has played this season I wish him the best of luck at the Ryder Cup.  


Daily schedule

The Ryder Cup is made up of 28 different matches which are played over the course of three days, all of which are in match play format. The schedule for the first two days is much the same.

There will be four foursome matches in the morning, where the captain of each side picks pairings to play together and they take alternative shots. Then in the afternoon its the four-ball matches—four games again—where each player has their own ball, and the lowest score on each team counts.

Once those 16 matches have been played across the opening two days its on to the singles, where all 12 players on each team go head-to-head. It sounds simple enough, but it can be an extremely tactical affair, as captains deliberate on whether to put their best men out first and accrue some early momentum, or put some of the key players at the back of the field when the pressure could be on.


How do you score points?

The aim is to get to 14.5 points, a coveted number that would give either nation guaranteed victory. If the match is drawn at 14 points each, the holder of the trophy will retain it. So this year, if after three days of slogging it out the score ends up at 14-14, it’d be Europe that keep hold of the cup.

This is what we golfers live for.  After very exciting Majors to finish of the season with the Ryder Cup is the icing on top of the cake.  In fact in my eyes I see the Ryder Cup as a Masters.  So hand on to your boots Ladies and Gentlemen its going to be a bumpy but explosive ride.

 

Europe United States
Captain Paul McGinley Tom Watson
Player 1 Rory McIlroy Bubba Watson
Player 2 Henrik Stenson Rickie Fowler
Player 3 Victor Dubuisson Jim Furyk
Player 4 Jamie Donaldson Jimmy Walker
Player 5 Sergio García Phil Mickelson
Player 6 Justin Rose Matt Kuchar
Player 7 Martin Kaymer Jordan Spieth
Player 8 Thomas Bjørn Patrick Reed
Player 9 Graeme McDowell Zach Johnson
Wildcard Stephen Gallacher Keegan Bradley
Wildcard Ian Poulter Webb Simpson
Wildcard Lee Westwood Hunter Mahan

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