Ryder Cup 2010

[Rotterdam]

After Monty's picks yesterday the team is made up of  -

Lee Westwood (Eng) Age 37; Previous Ryder Cups 6
Martin Kaymer (Ger) 25; Debut
Rory McIlroy (NI) 21; Debut
Graeme McDowell (NI) 31; RC 1
Ian Poulter (Eng) 34; RC 2
Ross Fisher (Eng) 29; Debut
Francesco Molinari (Ita) 27; Debut
M A Jimenez (Spa) 46; RC 3
Peter Hanson (Swe) 32; Debut
Padraig Harrington (Ire) 38; RC 5
Luke Donald (Eng) 32; RC 2
Edoardo Molinari (Ita) 29; Debut

I think Edoardo really deserves his place, not so sure about Donald and Harrington though, I would have gone for Casey over Donald.

Just over a month to go........

[Jane]

I am gobsmacked that he's left out Paul Casey.  Should've been in instead of Harrington IMHO.

[usav]

Agreed on Casey....seems ridiculous.  What has Harrington done this year?

[Gareth]

Think Donald curried favour somewhat when he came back to Europe to aid his qualification whereas Casey made it clear that he wasnt altering his schedule to try and get in.

Dont know how they can alter the qualifiation rules to allow the world rankings to take more precedence without killing the Euro Tour

[cb]

Harrington's had a v. poor season by his standards, but I think he's there because of his experience and I'm sure he won't let the side down. In fact if you take away Westwood and Harrington that's a very green team, so I think his presence is justified. I think he'll realise that he owes Monty big time for that wildcard and I think that's something he'll respond well to. He's also the only European with more than one major to his name and I think that pedigree can matter when the chips are down. I've no real kissue with Monty's picks here; I think they were the right call...

[UK Redsox]

Shame there's no one from Wales in the team

[Dave Cooper please]

It may look a bit 'green', but when the débutantes include a Major winner (Kaymer), one of the finest young talents in golf (McIlroy) and the fabulous Molinari brothers who look set to win a hell of a lot of tournaments between them then it doesn't look that bad really does it?

Rose and Casey only have themselves to blame, a couple more tournaments in Europe and they would probably have qualified by right, but they chose to chase the cash. Don't give me this bollocks that they came out with: "We want to play with the best golfers in the World", there isn't much difference in talent between the PGA and the European tours, but one pays a hell of a lot more.

[villaross]

Lee Westwood set to miss all tournaments before Celtic Manor

[UK Redsox]

There's loads of roadworks around Newport at the moment. It'll be chaos unless the remove them for the golf week

[Rotterdam]

US team announced tomorrow I believe.
Tiger will be involved I reckon....plus Kim, Glover and Cink. 

[peter w]

It may look a bit 'green', but when the débutantes include a Major winner (Kaymer), one of the finest young talents in golf (McIlroy) and the fabulous Molinari brothers who look set to win a hell of a lot of tournaments between them then it doesn't look that bad really does it?

Rose and Casey only have themselves to blame, a couple more tournaments in Europe and they would probably have qualified by right, but they chose to chase the cash. Don't give me this bollocks that they came out with: "We want to play with the best golfers in the World", there isn't much difference in talent between the PGA and the European tours, but one pays a hell of a lot more.

Can't really blame Rose as he plays on the US tour permanently. That should have been taken into account, and the fact that he has won on that tour should also have been taken in account.

[Rotterdam]

Phil Mickelson - Age 40; Previous Ryder Cups 7
Hunter Mahan - 28; 1
Bubba Watson - 31; Debut
Jim Furyk - 40; 6
Steve Stricker - 43; 1
Dustin Johnson - 26; Debut
Jeff Overton - 27; Debut
Matt Kuchar - 32; Debut
Tiger Woods - 34; 5
Zach Johnson - 34; 1
Stewart Cink - 37; 4
Rickie Fowler - 21; Debut

So picks are Woods, Cink, Johnson and the pillock that is Rickie Fowler.
5 on debut.

[The Man With A Stick]

What's Fowler going to do if the US outfit isn't orange?

[The Situation]

Ricky Fowler... this move by Pavin will either be great or go bust. Fowler is a fantastic young talent who came so close to winning this year and considering it's his first year on the PGA Tour this year he's done extremely well making numerous top 10's. His youthful rawness is either going to work really well or backfire against him - either way it doesn't matter, if America lose Pavin will find himself in a lose-lose situation with the media if Tiger doesn't perform. If USA lose with Tiger, everyone will blame him for picking him, if USA lost without Tiger, everyone would have blamed him for not picking him.

Should be in for some great golf in a few weeks time.

[Jon Crofts]

I've played Wentwood Hills a few times now, it's the Ryder Cup course at Celtic Manor.
First few times I played I was underwhelmed, but, it grows on you & is more suited to the Europeans due to the prevailing weather conditions I'd say.  Most if not all of the Par 3s are monster holes, 200 yards off the yellow tees minimum & requiring a 3+wood/driver off the tee into a stiff wind.  There are some brilliant holes perfect for Ryder Cup, some proper risk v reward.
Lots of bunkers & lots of water especially in the middle holes.
But.........
If you stand on the 1st tee & can't see the Severn Bridge, it's raining.
If you stand on the 1st tee & can see the Severn Bridge, it's going to rain.