Thursday, September 30, 2010

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 AmericaThe 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.

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Furyk Gets A Big Fat Cheque

Jim Furyk
On Sunday September 26th Jim Furyk was faced with a difficult decision.  Which trophy meant more, the FedEx Cup or Tour Championship.  After winning both it was evident that both were equally important however, the Tour Championship represents a season.  After finishing his 72nd hole walking away with $10 million dollars and the title of Tour Champ Jim commented on his wins: 
"They both mean a lot, to be honest with you, but this one is a season...I focused all week on trying to win this one (he pointed to Tour Championship trophy) and hoped this one (the FedEx Cup) could come true."

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

FedEx Cup vs. Players Championship

With what turned out to be a very exciting golf season for Phil Mickelson can turn into something he has dreamed about for many years.  Capturing victory this weekend would give Phil the title of "Tour Champion" as well as put him in contention for PGA Player of the Year, and top spot in the world ranking.

With the conclusion of the PGA season coming up players from all over the world will compete for the Players Championship and also the chase to the "FedEx Cup" all in the same weekend.  The FedEX point system is assessed instead of prize money during the regular PGA Tour season.  Points are also collected during the three previous playoff events to determine who the top 30 will include.  In order to distinguish the difference between the Tour Championship and the FedEx Cup only one of the top five FedEx Cup leaders going into the Tour Championship will, with a victory in the tournament, win the FedEx Cup.

In 2009, Phil Michelson won the Tour Championship, while Tiger Woods won the FedEx Cup.  Phil Michelson dream of winning both titles will be put to the test on Thursday September 23rd at 1:15 p.m.

However, seeing as there are two different titles to win it is possible for one player to win the Tour Championship and another player to win the FedEx Cup.  The top 5 players with the most points going into the Tour Championship are 1. Matt Kuchar, 2. Dustin Johnson, 3. Charley Hoffman, 4. Steve Stricker, 5. Paul Casey.

A table of the top 5 comparing their scoring stats for the FedEx points competitors can be found at the PGA website.
Phil Mickelson

After reviewing all those scoring statistics from the PGA website its clear who stands out amongst the others in certain categories.  Stricker has the lowest round shooting a 60, while Kuchar has had 46 rounds in the 60s.  Kuchar also has the lower round total in the fourth round.

Scoring statistics seem great on paper and if I was making bets based on paper results I would pick Kuchar to walk away with the Fed Ex Cup