2010 Ryder Cup Starts Today

The 2010 Ryder Cup begins today at the Celtic Manor Resort in Wales. If you don’t know much about the Ryder Cup, it is golf’s biggest team format event, pitting the best players from Europe against the best players from the States. The bi-annual tournament was won by the American’s in 2008, although the US hasn’t won on European soil in 17 years.

While the European team may have several players that aren’t exactly household names — Martin Kaymer, Graeme McDowell, and Ross Fisher, just to name a few — this is by far one of the strongest European teams in recent years. I hate to be unpatriotic, but my prediction is that the US will get crushed. Sure, Tiger isn’t playing his best, but I bet you he plays well. He won’t be the problem.

The format of the event is a bit screwy — today and tomorrow you will see best ball and alternate shot formats, followed up by head to head singles matches on Sunday. This is far and away golf’s most pressure packed event, and one of the most intense events in all of sport. If the matches get close, I’d definitely recommend tuning in on Sunday.

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Monty Leaves Paul Casey and Justin Rose off Ryder Cup Squad

European Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie has selected his three captain’s picks for the European team — a controversial decision where Monty had to select 3 players with at least 5 very good options. Ultimately Montgomerie selected Italy’s Edoardo Molinari (#15 in the world), Ireland’s Padraig Harrington (#19), and England’s Luke Donald (#11). Just as big of a story is the two players left off of the team — England’s Paul Casey (#8) and Justin Rose (#23).

Each of these players is certainly worthy of being on the team, and following is the case for each player:

Eduardo Molinari — Won on the European tour last week when he birdied the final 3 holes. His brother Francesco is also on the team, and Monty can pair them together during the Ryder Cup.

Padraig Harrington — Recent winner of two majors, although a 7-11-3 Ryder Cup record.

Luke Donald — He’s consistent, #11 in the world, and is 5-1-1 in the Ryder Cup.

Paul Casey — Europe’s best overall player, he’s been on the last three Ryder Cup teams.

Justin Rose — Has 2 wins on the PGA tour this season.

If it were up to me, I would have picked Padraig, Casey, and Donald. While I think Monty is thinking outside of the box in picking Molinari so that he can play with his brother (I bet they kill it), I think that he is easily the least qualified. While Rose is having arguably the best season of any of these players, he ultimately is the most streaky and hasn’t proven himself as well under pressure. I think Padraig is a lock, based off his tough as nails performances in majors and Donald has earned a spot on the team given his past Ryder Cup performances. I just can’t see Paul Casey not making this team. He’s #8 in the world, has a reputation for winning big match play tournaments (which makes him hugely beneficial in the Ryder Cup), and brings some of the cockiness the European team could use.

Now we just need to wait and see who Corey Pavin, the US captain, selects for his squad. Based on his performance this week, Tiger should get one of the nods.

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