EUROPE EUROPE EUROPE EUROPE EUROPE EUROPE

After a comeback more impressive than the Americans in 1999, the Europeans are the 2012 Ryder Cup champions! With exceptional performances form Paul Lawrie and Martin Kaymer who were both underdogs entering their matches, Europe not only retained the Cup but won it outright! In a Ryder Cup that had everything, from late World Number Ones to exceptional rookies, to cheering drives and stunning putts, it was caped off by an extraordinary comeback. The key was wins in the early matches that got the ball rolling for the team. I do not believe in spirits or living after death but I do believe that the emotional spirit of Seve Ballesteros  certainly lived on in all of the Europeans especially Ian Poulter! Congratulations Europe, you earned it! See you in Scotland!

Americans Lead Ryder Cup 10-6 Entering Sunday Singles

After one more USA dominated foursome session and a washed four-ball, the Americans have the lead by 4 points over Europe. 10-6 is a pretty big margin. Only one Ryder Cup team has ever come back from a margin that big, and that took a lot of faith and hope from Ben Crenshaw and the help of the 13th man. This year, Europe is on foreign soil so they do not have the fans backing their possible comeback. They do however have the momentum after Ian Poulter and Rory McIlroy finished with 6 straight birdies as a team to win their match 1 Up and secure one more important point. I think a European comeback is extremely unlikely but as a fan I want to see them make it interesting. Europe would have to win 8 of 12 points on Sunday to retain the Cup. Europe at one point was down 10-4 so that would make any comeback even more amazing! The key for Europe is to win the first 4 matches, especially the McIlroy/Bradley match to take away any American energy and get the fans out of it. Hopefully the Spirit of Seve will live on in this European team! Here are the Sunday Matches and my picks (winner is bolded, italics is halved):

Luke Donald vs. Bubba Watson -12:03
Webb SImpson vs. Ian Poulter -12:14
Keegan Bradley vs. Rory McIlroy - 12:25
Phil Mickelson vs. Justin Rose -12:36
Paul Lawrie vs. Brandt Snedeker -12:47
Dustin Johnson vs. Nicolas Colsaerts -12:58
Zach Johnson vs. Graeme McDowell -1:09
Jim Furyk vs. Sergio Garcia - 1:20
Jason Dufner vs. Peter Hanson-1:31
Matt Kuchar vs. Lee Westwood- 1:42
Steve Stricker vs. Martin Kaymer- 1:53
Tiger Woods vs. Francesco Molinari - 2:04 USA 17.5   EUR 10.5 I do not think Europe has as strong a team as the United States, but i do think that anyone on the European side can beat anyone on the American side on 18 holes, so there is a chance of a comeback

After Day 1 USA 5 EUR 3

After 2 Sessions of the 2012 Ryder Cup, the United States led by Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley are ahead of Europe 5-3. Phil and Keegan where the perfect pairing on the day winning in foursomes 4 & 3 over  Luke Donald and Sergio Garcia and 2 &1 over Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell. McIlroy and McDowell were supposed to be the knock out pair for the Europeans but only generating one point in 2 matches with their win over Sneds and Jim Furyk. The real surprise of the day was the play of Nicolas Colsaerts, going -10 with his own ball in the fourball afternoon play. I thought the European team practically picked this guy up from off the street! I had never heard of him before this week but he put on a clinic today on the putting greens! The supposed American knockout pair of Stricker and Woods was also a disappointment picking up no points for their team. If the rest of the Ryder Cup is half exciting as it has been today, we are watching history in the making!

Friday Foursome Pairings

Here are the Friday morning pairings.

Europe                                             USA
Rory McIlroy, Graeme McDowell                                           Jim Furyk, Brant Snedeker

Luke Donald, Sergio Garcia                                                  Phil Mickelson, Keegan Bradley

Lee Westwood, Francesco Molinari                                     Jason Dufner, Zach Johnson

Ian Poulter, Justin Rose                                                          Tiger Woods, Steve Stricker

All four are even matches. In match 1, Europe's knock-out pair is playing 2 Americans who are playing incredibly well right now with Brant Snedeker winning the FedEx Cup last week and Furyk finishing 7th. Although the Americans are on fire, I have to side with my favorite, McIlroy and the Europeans in this match. In match 2, Luke Donald and Sergio Garcia, 2 very successful   players in this format, are playing the rookie Bradley and the veteran Mickelson. I think this match comes down to experience and it will be another European win. In match 3, I think the Chicago fans will help there boys to one point in this match where both teams look like they are hiding guys. In the final morning match I think the Woods/Stricker pair will add to their great record to tie the score in the morning.

Friday Morning Score: 

EUR 2 USA 2

Preparation

How do you use the mental game? I use the methods of Bob Rotella and "Rotella's Rules" to get myself ready for an important round. How do you prepare?

Great App for Swing Videos

The Tiger Woods My Swing app for iPhone is great for capturing a swing and analyzing it on the spot

Are YOU Ready for Tomorrow!?!

The Ryder Cup is less than 24 hours from teeing off. If you think you are ready watch this video to get even more pumped up!!!

Ryder Cup is less than 48 Hours Away!

Crowds in Chicago are getting ready to swarm the course on Friday morning, with the first Foursome out at 7:20 AM. Everyone knows how Chicago sports fans can be, some of the loudest and craziest in the United States! What people are waiting for is how they will react to the emotion filled, patriotic Ryder Cup matches, which is truely unlike anything else in the sports world! With galleries packed already (Its only Wednesday!), I am almost excited to see crazy fans as I am to see incredible, competitive golf!

New Clubs

I just got the Titleist 910 D2 driver as an early birthday present. It was instantly my favorite club. Usually there are a couple rounds with this confidence but once it wears off... your looking for a new one again. It really is a vicious cycle!

Medinah

Medinah is the spot for this week's Ryder Cup. Have you ever played it? Whats the best course you have ever played? (Tiger Woods PGA Tour courses don't count)

Ryder Cup Matches

Which matches are you hoping for throughout the weekend?

Brant Snedeker is the 2012 FedEx Cup Champion

With a 2 under 68 in the final round of the Tour Championship, Sneds took the Championship title by 3 shots over Justin Rose. Entering the week at number 5 on the FedEx Cup standings, a win gave Snedeker the automatic FedEx Cup victory and a hefty $10 million bonus; not a bad payday. With the Ryder Cup coming up and Snedeker still riding the high of his victory, it will be interesting to see how he performs under Davis Love at Medinah in his 2nd Ryder Cup. Do you think Sneds will help the USA pull through or will Europe repeat as Ryder Cup Champs?


Go to http://www.pgatour.com/video/r/highlights/round_recap/2012/09/23/highs12tourchrnd4pgatourmpg-2226268/index.html to watch the 4th Round highlights

Tour Championship will have Exciting Finish

After a Moving Day that had everything, a 64 by Brant Snedeker, double-bogey by exleader Jim Fruyk and steady play by Justin Rose, the FedEx Cup Finale is proving to be a memorable one. With 2 tied at the lead and 9 more within 4 shots anyone has a chance to take the Tour Championship. What will be interesting is how the FedEx Cup is decided. Brant Snedeker, Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods all would take the FedEx Cup with a win tomorrow. For the rest of the incredibly confusing possible outcomes go to http://www.pgatour.com/2012/fedexcup/09/10/winning-scenarios/index.html for scenarios and http://www.pgatour.com/r/stats/current/02394_projections-1.html for the current projected outcomes.

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