Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Off Topic => Sports Arena => Topic started by: Rotterdam on August 30, 2010, 04:46:39 PM
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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........
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I am gobsmacked that he's left out Paul Casey. Should've been in instead of Harrington IMHO.
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Agreed on Casey....seems ridiculous. What has Harrington done this year?
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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
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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...
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Shame there's no one from Wales in the team
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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.
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Lee Westwood set to miss all tournaments before Celtic Manor :'(
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There's loads of roadworks around Newport at the moment. It'll be chaos unless the remove them for the golf week
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US team announced tomorrow I believe.
Tiger will be involved I reckon....plus Kim, Glover and Cink.
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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.
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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.
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What's Fowler going to do if the US outfit isn't orange?
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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.
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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.
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The actual Celtic Manor hotel is one of the ugliest buildings you'll ever see. Approaching Newport from the east on the M4 it looks like what Charlie Windsor would call a "carbuncle".
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Europe captain Colin Montgomerie is ‘convinced’ that his team will win at Celtic Manor if the players all play to their potential and regain the Ryder Cup from the USA with the action getting underway on Friday - more details in this Ryder Cup Article (http://betting.betfred.com/713/sport-betting-news/monty-convinced-over-ryder-cup-chances/)
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I still can't believe he picked Harrington over Casey or Rose...
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I still can't believe he picked Harrington over Casey or Rose...
I'm not too surprised he didn't pick Rose, who's not been that good recently after winning those 2 tournaments a few months ago. But Casey should be in the team, no question. I think Monty reckons Harrington's presence will worry the US team more, but I think he's wrong - I'm still pleased he's in the team, but not at the expense of Casey. I think we'll lose to be honest - Monty doesn't inspire me as a captain, although he's chosen his vice captains well.
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Is the Ryder Cup on Sky Sports only?
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Probably be highlights on terrestrial TV but I believe it is live only on Sky
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Better than nothing I suppose...
Friday:
BBC2: 8:30pm -10:00pm
Saturday:
BBC2: 8:30pm - 10:30pm
Sunday:
BBC2: 7:30pm - 9:30pm
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I love The Ryder Cup, I'll be up tomorrow for the first tee-off and only bog breaks and trips to the fridge will tear me away from the telly until Europe have sunk the winning putt on Sunday.
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FRIDAY FOURBALLS
Match 1
L Westwood/ M Kaymer v P Mickelson/ D Johnson
Match 2
R McIlroy/ G McDowell v S Cink/ M Kuchar
Match 3
I Poulter/ R Fisher v S Stricker/ T Woods
Match 4
L Donald/ P Harrington v B Watson/ J Overton
Come on Boys!
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FRIDAY FOURBALLS
Match 1
L Westwood/ M Kaymer v P Mickelson/ D Johnson
Match 2
R McIlroy/ G McDowell v S Cink/ M Kuchar
Match 3
I Poulter/ R Fisher v S Stricker/ T Woods
Match 4
L Donald/ P Harrington v B Watson/ J Overton
Come on Boys!
My predictions:
Match 1 Halved
Match 2 Europe
Match 3 Europe
Match 4 Halved
Based on the pairings and more importantly, the weather forecast.
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Predictions for the first four - US, Europe, US, Europe. I've got a bet on Mickelson to be top US scorer and a bet on 15-13 Europe. Thing is I don't know much about golf so I might be turning into Paul Merson, he used to stick thousands on American football then ring his mate to see if the team he'd bet on were any good.
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Nice day for it!
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It's a bit wet!
Standing water, preffered lies on the fairways, it's taking nearly half-an-hour per hole to play the fourballs!
Note to self - take Monday off, this is going into overtime.
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Play suspended, damn that means I have to do some work.
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It's a bit wet!
Standing water, preffered lies on the fairways, it's taking nearly half-an-hour per hole to play the fourballs!
Note to self - take Monday off, this is going into overtime.
It had better not, I'm off to Germany at 7am on Monday. I'll be proper pissed off if I miss this.
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Saturday weather looks OK, Sat/Sun night will be key, forecast is for heavy rain overnight & how much rain the course can take, Sunday more rain forecast.
Whose idea was Wales in October?
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Whose idea was Wales in October?
Wales was obviously Europe's idea, October though is down to the Americans because they created The FedEx Cup and the Ryder Cup couldn't start until that had finished.
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I know little about golf, to me its a good walk ruined.
But I do know the yanks really care about this and it hurts them like hell to lose.
I was listening to 5 live on the way into work this morning, the crowd were chanting like football fans ! How long have golf followers been like this ?
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How long have golf followers been like this ?
Since the US team acted like arseholes on the final green a few year back
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They will be lucky to be finished by Christmas the way the rain is coming down.
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Been watching Montys Ryder Cup memories, a great reminder of what a player he was when he played in the Cup, why could he not have won a major or 4, he certainly deserved to.
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It's not looking too promising...
http://www.raintoday.co.uk/
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Loving the rain
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I know little about golf, to me its a good walk ruined.
Oscar Wilde would likely agree with you.
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Whats the point of starting at 5pm, it'll be dark within an hour or so of that.
Might as well knock it on the head at start again tomorrow
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With more rain forecast they will want to squeeze in whatever play they can today, also give the fans who are there something. I heard on SSN yesterday that the drainage is state of the art, as good as humanly possible. Good job if we want it finished before Christmas.
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It will finish before Christmas.
The score at 6:43PM on Monday stands. All finished games count, all unfinished games are halved no matter what the score at the time.
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I know little about golf, to me its a good walk ruined.
Oscar Wilde would likely agree with you.
And Mark Twain...
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Up early again, and away we go.
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It will finish before Christmas.
The score at 6:43PM on Monday stands. All finished games count, all unfinished games are halved no matter what the score at the time.
Why the odd 6.43 pm cut-off time ie why not 7 pm or even 6.45?
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Thats the offical time of sunset on Monday. Play until nightfall, thems the rules. BTW is anyone hhad access to a US IP address (I do for work) then its streamed for free via The Ryder Cup website, click the NBC simulcast option.
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Europe seem to have got a lot stronger as the day's gone on - they need a nice run in the fourballs to really break the back of the Americans. Monty wants 8-8 by close today and if they get it to that, you can't see anything other than a European victory.
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But I have to say from what I've seen so far, the Molinaris are bloody useless.
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Colin Montgomerie admitted his surprise after the Friday Fourballs pairings were announced and he was not the only one - Intersting article on this Sport Betting Blog (http://betting.betfred.com/713/sport-betting-news/europe-cut-after-us-surprise/)
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Europe are all over the Americans now.
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Even the Molinaris have found their form. This could be a whitewash by sunset.
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I can't believe Woods and Stricker are the same players that played so well this morning (Woods, to be fair, looked off). Five down right now to Dinald and Westwood who have played sublimely all day. If only this thing was played in the summer - I have a feeling we're going to see a Henman in the semis situation having to break so suddenly.
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Loving watching Woods struggle.
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Even the Molinaris have found their form. This could be a whitewash by sunset.
Well it was but unfortunately they're not even half way through this lot of matches. I can't see it ending 6-0 but Monty could well get his target of 8-8, which will be a good comeback from 6-4 down. The momentum will definitely be with Europe if that happens, and I fancy them in the singles because only Stricker, Overton and Cink have really impressed me. Mickelson should be ashamed about his performance so far - embarrassing.
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9 1/2 to 61/2 better than anyone could have hoped for after session 2, the Molinari's done good.
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Pi$$ed off at the early tee times tomorrow. I will SKY+ and avoid the score ala the Likely Lads.
The boys did very well today. Great stuff.
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A great afternoon's golf, well done our lot! Now let's go & win it tomorrow.
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Singles matches:
Lee Westwood v Steve Stricker
Rory McIlroy v Stewart Cink
Luke Donald v Jim Furyk
Martin Kaymer v Dustin Johnson
Ian Poulter v Matt Kuchar
Ross Fisher v Jeff Overton
Miguel Angel Jimenez v Bubba Watson
Francesco Molinari v Tiger Woods
Edoardo Molinari v Rickie Fowler
Peter Hanson v Phil Mickelson
Padraig Harrington v Zach Johnson
Graeme McDowell v Hunter Mahan
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Jimenez is a cool bastard, I love watching him on the greens. If he doesn't make the cut next time he needs to be a vice-captain.
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Need to get off to a strong start today - come on Westwood.
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Thats the offical time of sunset on Monday. Play until nightfall, thems the rules. BTW is anyone hhad access to a US IP address (I do for work) then its streamed for free via The Ryder Cup website, click the NBC simulcast option.
I see- thanks
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No coverage on BBC2 tonight?
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No coverage on BBC2 tonight?
There will be highlights on BBC2, They are "re-jigging" the schedules
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Decent start this morning, Westwood is brilliant.
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Great start, I do like Lee Westwood. Apparently he can go Number 1 in the world if he comes 1st or 2nd in the Dunhill Links next week; bloody marvellous.
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Europe looking good.
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I don't much care for golf but this tournament is great viewing, I'm knocking off in a bit to go home and watch the rest of it. It's also probably the only place you'll get a collection of Brits chanting for Europe.
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Anyone else having trouble watching this on SkyPlayer?? I could view it fine on Friday and for the first hour today, now I'm just getting several error messages...frustrating!!
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I can't watch because I am at work so I think the Sky highlights at 8pm followed by The Inbetweeners should make for a decent evening's viewing.
I have the BBC blog running mind and it seems that the Yanks are fighting hard.
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Poulter just chipped in brilliantly.
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Poulter just chipped in brilliantly.
I've been impressed with Poults this weekend, looks like he'll do the business today too. Getting nervous now ...
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It all appears rather tight. I won't watch if we lose!
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Poulter just chipped in brilliantly.
I've been impressed with Poults this weekend, looks like he'll do the business today too. Getting nervous now ...
6 Under in the 14 holes he played. He does like Ryder Cup Golf!
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Luke Donald needs to hang on or this will be twitchy arse time.
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It is already, great putt by McIlroy to get a half a point.......Come on Luke
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Well done young Rory - now come on Lukey boy!!
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Go on Luke Donald.
That's us hlaf way there.
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Jimenez, E Molinari and McDowell its down to you...............
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Yep things have gone a bit tits up here. Harrington has been poor.
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Harrington has been poor all weekend. This is getting far too tense, come on Europe.
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In the bag.
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Jimenez, legend!
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One and a half required then.
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Have a cigar Miguel, brilliant. Right then, no pressure McDowell, but it looks like it's down to you.
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very very tense
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bloody hell Fowler just halved match with Molinari.
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all down to Mcdowell.
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Molinari missed a relatively easy putt on the 15th to win the match and now we are relying on the last one. Pressure is going to tell unfortunately and the yanks are retaining the cup.
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What a putt under pressure, Mcdowell!
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Come on McDowell . . . .
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Mahan ballses up. Just got to keep his nerve, now, G Mac.
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Get in!
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Good job my pessimistic post paid off. :o
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G Mac didn't even have to keep his nerve! That putt on the 16th won it. Thank f**k for that, should have been much more comfortable than it was.
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Magnificent.
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Highlights on BBC2 7.20pm
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So what just happened on 17th?
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Olé olé olé olé, olé!
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So what just happened on 17th?
Mcdonald's second was on right hand side green just on the collar. Mahan hit his second about 30 yards short of the green. Went to chip his third onto the green and barely caught it and it just stopped shy of green. Mc's third was a couple of feet shy and Mahan missed his long putt and conceded.
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Very exciting and that from someone who can't stand golf. Fair play though, the Ryder Cup hits the spot for me...
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Well done lads. The Great Satan fought back well but we deserved to win.
When Scotland hosts it will they be stupid enough to host it in October again or can they change the dates to when it's actually Summer?
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Surprised to see Neil from The Inbetweeners playing in it. Lost today but did well with Harrington over the weekend.
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You mean Mc
So what just happened on 17th?
Mcdonald's second was on right hand side green just on the collar. Mahan hit his second about 30 yards short of the green. Went to chip his third onto the green and barely caught it and it just stopped shy of green. Mc's third was a couple of feet shy and Mahan missed his long putt and conceded.
You mean McDowell? Not Ronald from the golden arches ;-)
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I'm not a massive golf fan but I've always followed the Ryder Cup, work permitting and that was the most nerve-wracking final day and final couple of hours I can remember. It's destined to stay in October because of the Yanks schedule with The FedEx events isn't it?
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I'm not a massive golf fan but I've always followed the Ryder Cup, work permitting and that was the most nerve-wracking final day and final couple of hours I can remember. It's destined to stay in October because of the Yanks schedule with The FedEx events isn't it?
The PGA of America and the European Tour are having a rethink... Looks like all future Ryder Cups will be no later than mid-September. A bit of common sense may prevail!
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Not usually interested in golf but I followed this today on the radio, very exciting.
I've just watched the BBC2 highlights - nasty jumpers.
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Great day. Well done lads.
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The only downside is Colin Montgomerie being the captain. He only has to appear on screen for me to get annoyed and want to punch him.
Apart from that, well pleased we won.
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That was fantastic drama.
Some of the golf played over the four days was fantastic given the pressure.
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The only downside is Colin Montgomerie being the captain. He only has to appear on screen for me to get annoyed and want to punch him.
Apart from that, well pleased we won.
I'm surprised they didn't choose him to captain when Europe were playing away. Maybe the powers that be thought better of it.
Great tournament, great drama and something that I actually enjoy Sky's coverage of. Imagine the SSN hyperbole was in full effect, but the Sky Sports 1 stuff was really enjoyable.
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I'm not a massive golf fan but I've always followed the Ryder Cup, work permitting and that was the most nerve-wracking final day and final couple of hours I can remember. It's destined to stay in October because of the Yanks schedule with The FedEx events isn't it?
The PGA of America and the European Tour are having a rethink... Looks like all future Ryder Cups will be no later than mid-September. A bit of common sense may prevail
I'm sorry, but I don't see how it being scheduled "no later than mid-September" is "common sense". Correct me if I'm wrong (but seeing as it's been repeated in every media article today, I suspect I'm not), but this was the first time in 83 years that a fourth day of play has been required. 15 days worth of rain fell in 15 hours (starting on Friday), but this was pure coincidence and if you look at this weekend's weather forecast for the area, then it looks like today's glorious weather will continue. Therefore, you could use similar logic to suggest that the tournament should always take place a week later.
There's no guarantee that by organising this tournament in mid-September, adverse weather conditions will be avoided. In spite of the unexpected and unprecedented interruption, the tournament was still completed, the drama heightened and as a result, a unique competition actually succeeded in providing even more drama than ever.
Whenever it is scheduled, there will always be the risk of weather playing a part. I'd rather they changed the rules to allow the games to go into a fifth day (and so avoid unfinished games being automatically halved as the rules currently state), than moving the tournament to 'solve' something that can't be controlled.
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Alex Salmond has said the next European one (in Gleneagles) will be held earlier.
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For anyone that knows more about golf than me (ie everyone) what would happen in the following scenario...
Europe appoint Jimenez as Captain, or Garcia and they manage to get/stay in the top handful of players in Europe? Would it be possible to be a player and a captain or is that against the rules?
Also, do they overstate the role the Captain plays? Seems to me a pretty easy job.
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When Scotland hosts it will they be stupid enough to host it in October again or can they change the dates to when it's actually Summer?
Second weekend in June then.
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For anyone that knows more about golf than me (ie everyone) what would happen in the following scenario...
Europe appoint Jimenez as Captain, or Garcia and they manage to get/stay in the top handful of players in Europe? Would it be possible to be a player and a captain or is that against the rules?
Also, do they overstate the role the Captain plays? Seems to me a pretty easy job.
I don't think you can be a player and captain, which is why they tend to give it to players who have been European Tour stalwarts and Ryder Cup heroes but are now on the way down.
The ideal candidate for 2012 would be Jose Maria Olazabal, who has been suffering from tendonitis (or something) so will never be amongst the top players but is extremely well respected and popular.
As for the captain's job, looking at Montgomerie whenever the camers was on him would tell you the stress he was under.
The captain picks the wildcards (plenty of controversy there straightaway), then he has to get the pairings right for the fourballs and foursomes, it's not just as case of picking any two players and telling them to get on with it, they have to gel, complement each other and be capable of pulling their partner through if they are struggling.
On the last day he has to pick the order the players will play in, does he put his strongest players at the top, get points on the board? Does he load the bottom of the order to pull things round if it's going wrong?
Monty nearly blew this, his middle order wasn't strong and it was there that the momentum swung to the Americans, fortunately he had picked a Major winner in the last game and McDowell had the nerve to pull it off when it mattered.
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Europe appoint Jimenez as Captain, or Garcia and they manage to get/stay in the top handful of players in Europe? Would it be possible to be a player and a captain or is that against the rules?
Also, do they overstate the role the Captain plays? Seems to me a pretty easy job.
Not sure of the rules, but you wouldnt want the team captain to be playing anyway. The captains job is more organisation, co-ordinating tactics, player pairings, player orders, motivating, communication, etc; Basically a captain wouldnt be able to do his job if he was playing and it would be to the detriment of the team if he was.
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Pretty sure that back in the day captains played.
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The only downside is Colin Montgomerie being the captain. He only has to appear on screen for me to get annoyed and want to punch him.
Apart from that, well pleased we won.
In fairness, i think Monty showed a side to himself rarely seen before, during this Ryder cup. He comes across as loyal, incredibly passionate and dignified.
He has come in for a lot of stick in his career, some justified, a lot of it not.
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When Scotland hosts it will they be stupid enough to host it in October again or can they change the dates to when it's actually Summer?
Second weekend in June then.
Formula 1 Qualifying in Japan has had to be postponed until tomorrow due to heavy rain. This is the second time this has happened there, the last time being in October 2004.
I think it's quite clear to all concerned that there should never be another Japanese GP scheduled in October. It's common sense... *ahem*
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I don't know the first thing about golf, and don't enjoy watching it, but I am a massive, massive fan of sticking it up two nations in sporting terms - the Americans and the Australians, so good work Europe, and here's hoping we stick it up the Aussies in the ashes.
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Don't get me started on the fucking Aussies when it comes to sport. They beat Paraguay in a friendly last night 1-0. From all the reports of "Stunned the South Americans" and crap like that you'd think they'd beat them 10-0.