Posted on 09/22/2006 1:02:11 AM PDT by kingattax
DiMarco leaves the approach to the 18th way out to the right. Mickelson has a 35 yard bunker shot from wet sand with water behind......Fugly. Have to have this full point.
DiMarco mised the 7 footer to win the hole....Monty makes a 6 footer to halve. 5-3 final. Huge blown hole.....
the europeans never make the mistakes the americans always seem to make at crucial times. team usa is gonna have to really step up now.
If the US is no more than 2 down going into the singles, they've got a good chance. Something about team sports that they don't seem to do well in.
I think Europe's lead going into the final day will be about 9.5 - 6.5 and Europe will cling on to win the cup 14.5 - 13.5.
How did the U.S. do in singles in 2004?
It's true, but in 1999 when Europe lost from 10-6 we were essentially were trying to win with 9 players (3 players were left out of the first two days entirely, hardly giving them confidence or a chance and effectively conceding those three singles games).
This European team is stronger in depth, they have all played on the first day and all the rookies acquited themselves well. It used to be accepted that Europe needed a lead going into the singles, but that's no longer true, and I definately couldn't see them blowing a 4 point lead.
"Garcia is now 7-0 in four-ball.........too bad he can't win a tournament on his own...;-)"
And 11-2-1 in fourballs and foursomes combined. He's so awesome in the pairs format. I'm hoping Woosnam pairs him with Westwood tomorrow in the fourballs, that combination was a blast last time.
European combinations for the morning will be interesting. It would be a brave decision considering the location, but I think Harrington needs to be left out. He just seemed to lack any spark today.
Yeah, some of the younger guys like Casey, Donald and Howell are genuine world class golfers now so can beat the top Americans one on one.
heh.. there's always someone who wants to let facts get in the way of a good statement...
nevertheless...
04 was an aberration. Normally the US beats their opponents in singles so I'm going with the law of averages.
Yes...and actually I think Europe would retain the cup with a 14-14 tie.
It would be a moderate victory if the U.S. could go into singles down just two points.
Yes, they will. But it's always more satisfying to win it on points rather than just retain it by drawing. I seem to remember Europe did that in 1990 and it wasn't as satisfying.
" 04 was an aberration. Normally the US beats their opponents in singles so I'm going with the law of averages."
That law of averages though is based on times when the US had more strength in depth in the team than the Europeans.
The way yesterday panned out demonstrates that, if anything, the reverse is true this year. US team has 4 rookies against 2 in the European team. The European rookies, Stenson and Karlson have both acquited themselves well and are playing their second matches this morning. JJ Henry (who impresses me) and Johnson will have played twice for the US, but Wetterick played once and probably won't be seen today and Vaughen Taylor hasn't played in the first three sessions.
On the US side 5 players will have played all three of the first three sessions compared to 3 on the European side.
All of this bodes well for the singles.
True, and that applies for all events, not just singles. The US use to also win the best ball and alternate shot events when their talent overpowered the field.
I'm not looking for a "Ben Crenshaw" year in the singles but I still say they've got a good shot at winning if they can go into the singles no more than 2 down....which bye the way, ain't gonna be no easy chore.
Another dissapointing set of matches for the U.S. Captain Tom needed to spilt Tiger and Furyk up INSTEAD of playing them together. They lose again this A.M. and are now 1-2.
I'm happy as a clam that Darren Clarke is playing so well.
Funny thing is, until he paired with Tiger, Furyk "was" invincible in Ryder Cup matches.
It's usually a mistake pairing your best two players together. Surely, it's better to pair them with rookies who they can share the benefit of their wisdom. I bet Furyk would rather have been paired with a guy like Zack Johnson.
Could be...I dunno.
What I do know is it's very important to get the right "chemistry" in these team events. Why the Europeans are so much better at that is a mystery to me.
I think Tiger is a good "team player" but I don't think he plays well in "team events" like 4-ball. I'm sure Lehman thought they had stumbled across a good mix with Tiger/Furyk in the Presidents Cup but it looks like Tiger continues his abysmal performance and has drug Furyk down with him.
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