Opinion & Analysis

2012 Ryder Cup Quick Predictions: Friday Foursomes

Published

14 years ago

Sep 27, 2012

Tim Gavrich

By Tim Gavrich

GolfWRX Contributor

7:20 am (all times CT): Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell (EUR) vs. Jim Furyk and Brandt Snedeker (USA)

Since he was first picked, I’ve told anyone who’d listen that Brandt Snedeker is the main bellwether for the U.S. team’s success this weekend. He and fellow gritty shorter hitter Jim Furyk face a very tall order against a team with more chemistry than Marie Curie. They will hit first all day and will have to putt exceptionally well to stay afloat against the Ulstermen. Unfortunately, I have a feeling Furyk may miss a key short putt when it hurts. I’d be thrilled to see this match make it to the 18^th tee, outcome-be-damned.

Advantage: Europe

7:35 am: Luke Donald and Sergio Garcia (EUR) vs. Keegan Bradley and Phil Mickelson (USA)

If anyone can inspire Phil Mickelson to rise above mediocrity in the Ryder Cup, it’s Bradley. But they’re up against to Euros who are a combined 22-8-5 in the Ryder Cup, a frighteningly dominant track record. Nonetheless, Bradley will be pumped up for his first Ryder Cup match and that should reinvigorate Phil. Plus, the New Englander becomes a better putter the more a putt means (cf. Atlanta last year and Riviera and Firestone this).

Toss-up

7:50 am: Lee Westwood and Francesco Molinari (EUR) vs. Jason Dufner and Zach Johnson (USA)

Here is another American team that is likely to be hitting first from the fairway throughout the day, but given Dufner’s well-above-average ball striking and Johnson’s putting prowess, the Americans could go on some mini-runs during the match. But if Dufner’s a good ball-striker, Westwood and Molinari are downright surgical from tee to green. Even if they’re not the world’s best putters, they will make some birdies. More than the Americans, probably.

Advantage: Europe

8:05 am: Ian Poulter and Justin Rose (EUR) vs. Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker (USA)

Ian Poulter’s Ryder Cup record is as good as anyone’s, but their American opponents have been a Ryder and Presidents Cup juggernaut since 2009. Poulter will make a putt or two and glare at the American players and fans, but his eyes are likely to recede into their sockets once Tiger and Strick get going.

Advantage: U.S.

Were I Captain Love (Davis, not a driver of a tie-dye VW bus from the 60s), I’d be thrilled to head to the afternoon four-ball matches at 2-2 with the European side. Look for His Loveness to unleash the fury of Bubba Watson and Webb Simpson on the European side—perhaps Nicolas Colsaerts and Martin Kaymer, who will also rest in the morning for the Euros.

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Opinion & Analysis

AVL: My U.S. Amateur local qualifying experience

Published

4 days ago

Jun 5, 2026

Andrew Von Lossow

This past Monday, I played in the U.S. Amateur local qualifier at Rock Creek Country Club in Portland, Oregon. A full tee sheet from 7:30 a.m. to 1:55 p.m., the top 11 scores would make it to the U.S. Amateur final qualifying.

I teed off at 10:48 a.m.. With the 7:30 am tee time, you can get a feel for the leaders’ pace, and they were off and running on the challenging setup at Rock Creek.

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Getting to the highlight of the round on the par five 17th, a drive up the left side and 212 yards left to the front hole location. I took out a 5-iron with plans of middle of the green. The ball ended up 8 feet left of the hole, pin high. A slight downhill putt dropped in for an eagle 3 on the 17th. With the cut line looking to be anywhere from -2 to even par. This was the boost I had been waiting for all day.

With making par from the trees on 18, it was time to wait for a potential playoff with a posted score of one under par 71.

Three hours later, it was playoff time. 8 players for 6 spots. I made par on the playoff hole, which was good enough to advance to the U.S. Amateur final qualifying in July. USGA qualifiers sure deliver on all of the emotions in golf!

Club Junkie

Building my 2026 gamer WITB: Ranking the contenders and new putter projects – Club Junkie Podcast

Published

5 days ago

Jun 4, 2026

GolfWRX Staff

The annual What’s In The Bag build is underway, and on this episode of Club Junkie, Brian breaks down the clubs currently leading the race for a spot in his 2026 gamer setup. From drivers and fairway woods to irons, wedges, and shafts, he ranks the equipment that’s performing best and explains what’s separating the front runners from the rest of the field.

Brian also heads into the workshop to discuss several putter projects currently on the bench. From head options and shaft choices to build ideas and testing plans, he shares what he’s working on and which putters could become serious contenders for the bag this season.

If you’re a gear junkie who loves equipment testing, club building, and the never-ending pursuit of the perfect setup, this episode is for you.

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Club Junkie

Tour Edge Exotics mini driver review + TaylorMade Spider ZT Max first look – Club Junkie

Published

2 weeks ago

May 28, 2026

Brian Knudson

On this episode of Club Junkie, I put the new Tour Edge Exotics Mini Driver to the test and break down the performance, forgiveness, distance, and where it fits compared to a traditional driver or strong fairway wood. If you have been curious about adding a mini driver to the bag, this one is worth a look.

I also dive into the new TaylorMade Spider ZT Max putter that was recently spotted and discuss the growing zero torque putter trend. Plus, there is a closer look at the new Project X Titan Yellow shaft showing up on the PGA Tour and what makes it different from other profiles currently out there.