These 5 are worth watching
The Ryder Cup tees off today between Europe and the United States at Hazeltine in Chaska, Minn. Here are five issues to watch:
1. Will the pods matter more than the pros?
The U.S. players lamented the apparent recent abandonment of the so-called “pod system,” which was adopted by team captain Paul Azinger in 2008 and allowed players to learn playing partners early (tied together with a vice captain). That produced the only American victory this century at Valhalla. After the Americans' Saturday collapse two years ago at Gleneagles set the stage for another loss, much was made of Tom Watson's decision to sit down Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley the entire day. When Mickelson later brought up the abandonment of pods, Watson snapped, “It takes 12 players to win. It's not pods.” The pods are back but Watson is not. Will it matter?
2. Can Europe survive the absence of Ian Poulter?
Poulter has been a consistent producer of Ryder Cup points for the Europeans but he has been on the shelf since June with a foot injury. He will serve as a vice captain to Darren Clarke but his 12-4-2 record in Ryder Cup play since 2004 will be difficult to replace. Poulter has been a fiery presence on course, his eyes bulging out of his head and his fist pumping with every stroke won. His passion for Ryder Cup competition often seemed to carry over to his teammates. If things get tight for the Europeans, who will provide that kind of infectious jolt of energy and faith Poulter so often did?
3. Does Rickie Fowler belong here?
U.S. captain Davis Love III's decision to include Fowler as a captain's pick over far-hotter Daniel Berger was curious and criticized. Fowler is one of the faces of the game but hasn't shined lately. He failed to win this year on tour and has had more missed cuts (three) than top 10 finishes (two) since May. He had only one top-10 finish in his last seven starts and failed to qualify for the Tour Championship. Add to that his career Ryder Cup record (0-3-5 and thus the only team member other than rookie Brooks Koepka without a win), and it seemed a choice based more on name than recent resume. If he doesn't play well, Love will hear about it.
4. Will experience beat youth?
Love and Clarke followed far different paths to construct their teams. Love went with the chalk, adding only two of his 12 players in their first Cup competition (Koepke and Ryan Moore). Clarke, as is Europe's way in this, named six first-time starters (Danny Willett, Chris Wood, Rafael Cabrera-Bello, Andy Sullivan, Matthew Fitzpatrick and Thomas Pieters). Considering the recent history, isn't it the U.S. that needed new blood, not the Europeans?
5. Will the home course be an advantage to U.S.?
Generally, it's thought the team playing at home has the edge in this biannual international competition. But that hasn't been true lately for the U.S. Europe has lost only once on home soil since 1985, a defeat at The Belfry in 1993. The U.S. has lost two of its last three at home, including two years ago at Medinah where it blew a 10-4 lead by losing seven consecutive matches (the final two on Saturday and the opening five on Sunday). Will Hazeltine National be friendlier home turf? The U.S. better hope so.