US performance at Ryder Cup: this photo says it all

I was at the Ryder Cup matches yesterday. The course is incredible and the crowd was great, probably owing to the fact that no alcohol was permitted in the playing area and the weather was a little chilly. The Europeans were especially well-behaved (although there were far too many kilts).

The European team is deep and talented. I am not surprised that the USA was down after the first day; however, the depth of the hole was shocking. A few observations about that: (1) Phil must have been affected by the recent switch of equipment (he looked lost, and the drive on 18 in the afternoon session that went OB lost them that match); (2) Davis Love III was awful (I like him, but his game was nowhere yesterday); and (3) Sutton deserves credit for the Haas and Cink picks.

The European team has played much better and will win almost certainly. It is easy to blame Sutton, but I liked the pairings initially (as did many in attendance). He did not hit a single shot. It is kind of like blaming Larry Brown for the Olympics: Sutton didn't pick the team (except what I regard as two excellent coach's choices in Cink and Haas), had to try to motivate a few stars who don't necessarily get along well (you can criticize pairing Tiger and Phil on this basis, but you would expect pros to put personal differences--to the extent they exist--behind them for this event) and ran into international competition which was every bit the measure of the USA and probably better prepared for the Ryder Cup format of play.

21 posted on 09/18/2004 4:41:14 PM PDT by Zebra

I truly wish that were possible but we're not playing against a Mark James managed Euro Team.
Bernhard took his chances on Saturday by playing his rookies and it paid off.
They smoked our guys that should have been anchors.
I honestly think that we need to rethink our Ryder Cup points system and give much, much heavier weighting to the majors.
We need some Zingers and Payne Stewarts to appear or the Euro's are going to have the kind of run that the U.S. had in the 60's and 70's.

23 posted on 09/18/2004 4:50:31 PM PDT by WoodstockCat (DNC and John Kerry: Forgers R' Us)

Maybe Tiger's having equipment problems.

24 posted on 09/18/2004 5:03:52 PM PDT by Leroy S. Mort ("Col. Mustard in the Library with a Word Processor")

To: WoodstockCat

Couldn't believe Hal broke up the morning pairings like that.

We're alright,since '27 the U.S. leads the series, 23-5-2.

25 posted on 09/18/2004 5:07:48 PM PDT by mdittmar (May God watch over those who serve to keep us free.)

To: Dan from Michigan

Yes, they were celebrating a wee bit down in the local tonight. McGinley is related to me (wouldn't say that if he lost) so I was glad for him.

BTW, who are the spartans?

26 posted on 09/18/2004 5:24:08 PM PDT by Colosis

Are they advising the Kerry campaign?

27 posted on 09/18/2004 5:28:28 PM PDT by bootyist-monk (<--------------------- Republican Attack Machine)

Michigan State Spartans - College(University) football team.

28 posted on 09/18/2004 5:30:15 PM PDT by Dan from Michigan (A gun owner voting for John Kerry is like a chicken voting for Col. Saunders. (bye bye .30-30))

To: Leroy S. Mort

Maybe Tiger's having equipment problems.

She was there. No equipment problem was evident........

29 posted on 09/18/2004 6:19:49 PM PDT by Zebra

high maintenance item............

30 posted on 09/18/2004 6:24:29 PM PDT by OregonRancher (illigitimus non carborundum)

It's not the pairings. It's a bunch of spoiled prima donnas who, every 2 years, get their asses whipped.

31 posted on 09/19/2004 12:29:20 AM PDT by jammer

What a freakin' embarrassment this is!

32 posted on 09/19/2004 2:22:42 PM PDT by dfwgator (It's sad that the news media treats Michael Jackson better than our military.)

To: Leroy S. Mort

33 posted on 09/19/2004 2:25:43 PM PDT by csvset (Beware of pajama clad bloggers seeking the truth)

To: Leroy S. Mort

I would just quit and stay home to work on my equipment.

34 posted on 09/19/2004 2:32:04 PM PDT by SeeRushToldU_So (Some days I am more rednecked than other days. Not there is anything wrong with that.)

To: SeeRushToldU_So

Can't imagine that messing up anyone's stroke.

35 posted on 09/19/2004 2:35:46 PM PDT by Leroy S. Mort ("We need a Commander-in-Chief who is a beacon, not a weathervane.")

18 1/2 to 9 1/2

What blow out....

36 posted on 09/19/2004 2:36:43 PM PDT by deport (Democrats play hardball at the peewee-league level and then lose)

To: Leroy S. Mort

With equipment like that, it could all be pre-mature maintenance.

37 posted on 09/19/2004 2:43:52 PM PDT by SeeRushToldU_So (Some days I am more rednecked than other days. Not there is anything wrong with that.)

38 posted on 09/19/2004 2:44:33 PM PDT by SeeRushToldU_So (Some days I am more rednecked than other days. Not there is anything wrong with that.)

Can't the USA win in anything anymore?

39 posted on 09/19/2004 2:47:09 PM PDT by dfwgator (It's sad that the news media treats Michael Jackson better than our military.)

To: Leroy S. Mort

I keep yelling "Give the ring back! Tiger, have you ever even been to Sweden? They all look like that!"

40 posted on 09/20/2004 8:28:58 AM PDT by PfromHoGro (The W knows)

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