Ryder Cup Preview

In what could be one of the most anticipated golf tournament after all major tournaments have been completed will take place the weekend of Oct 1-3.  The Ryder Cup is a fascinating tournament with two teams; Team Europe and Team America.  The Ryder cup was developed in 1927 and is one of the and is know as one of the last great sporting events founded on prestige rather than prize money.  The origin of the idea was to play international matches between the best American professionals and the best of Great Briatain.  The format for this event consists of:
Day 1- Two Man Alternate Shot Match Play
Day 2-Two Man Best Ball
Day 3-Single Stroke Play

• Team Europe 
• Captain Colin Montgomerie
• Team Members
• Luke Donald, Ross Fisher, Peter Hanson, Padraig Harrington, Miguel Angel Jimenez, Martin Kaymer, Graeme McDowell, Rory McIlroy, Edardo Molinari, Francesco Molinari, Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood
• Vice Captains
• Thomas Bjorn, Darren Clarke, Sergio Garcia, Paul McGinley
• Team America 

• Captain Corey Pavin
• Team Members: 
• Phil Michelson, ,Hunter Mahan, Bubba Watsson, Jim Furyk, Steve Stricker, Dustin Johnson, Jeff Overton, Matt Kuchar, Stewart Cink, Rickie Fowler, Zach Johnson, Tiger Woods 
• Assistant Captains
• Paul Goydos, Tom Lehman, Davis Love III, Jeff Sluman

In a teleconference on Friday Sept 23rd Pavin (Captain of Team America) spoke to the Media about attempting to be successful on foreign soil for the first time since 1993.  He talked about how he is strategically trying to form partners for the different days and give the rookies a chat to give them some clarity on what to expect.  He also talked about picking Tiger Woods he states: 

"He's in a position as a pick, and he has not played up to his own standards, but he's playing some very good golf now; that I think just like everybody on the team, he's one of the 12 guys and I'm going to pair him and talk to him just like all of the other players I've talked to about who they want to play with and who I feel is best for them."  he went on to say: "I'm just going to look at ever player and try to figure out how many times to play them and where they will do better.  The object is to get more points then the other team at the end of the competition, and that's what I'm looking at."   

When he talked about the rookies and what eh would tell them on the first tee he commented: "The first thing is...breath would be a good thing.  I think, you know, when you're nervous like that, you tend to do things a little bit quicker, so you know, I'll just ask him to slow down a little bit and take some breaths and just try to relax and just try to make a good rhythmic swing.  Things happen so fast when you're nervous."

For more of Corey Pavins interview visit: http://www.rydercup.com/2010/usa/news/pavin_teleconference091710.cfm

 

Score Golf website did a slide show about the best outfits worn in Ryder Cup history. Above are some photos taken over the years.   The outfits over the years could be considered award winning.  Whether its a reflection of the past or the dominant colours that stand out either way these guys look great.