Tour News
2016 Ryder Cup: 5 Things We Learned from Day 2
It’s not the four-point lead from Friday morning, but Team USA has to feel good about its 9.5-6.5 lead over Team Europe heading into Sunday’s singles matches at the 2016 Ryder Cup. Five more points for the Americans and the Cup is theirs, but things can change quickly in singles, as the Americans learned at Medinah four years ago. It should be an incredible Sunday.
Here are 5 things we learned on Day 2 of the 41st Ryder Cup matches.
Age is just a number for Phil Mickelson
Lefty! …was that a curtsy? #RyderCup https://t.co/UMXh8Avffk
— GOLF.com (@golf_com) October 1, 2016
Mickelson and Fowler lost the last three holes of their match on Saturday morning to lose to McIlroy-Pieters in the morning, who were 11-under in the 17-hole match (can you say buzzsaw?). Mickelson brought his A-game on Saturday afternoon with partner Matt Kuchar, though. The 46-year-old made five birdies to propel him and Kuch to a 2&1 victory over Martin Kaymer and Sergio Garcia, winning a vital point for the Americans.
And yes, that was a curtsy (see the video above).
Captain’s picks cannot be based on locker-room worth
Put another point on the board for #GoUSA
It's now an 8½-6½ lead. #RyderCup scoring: https://t.co/H8qNi7XE46 https://t.co/tEZTfUaQSN
— PGA.COM (@PGAcom) October 1, 2016
Both sides went risky on captain’s picks in 2016. Lee Westwood was selected for who knows what reason, and he gave the opposing side hope by gassing four putts inside 5 feet on Saturday afternoon’s inward half. Rickie Fowler was selected for his locker-room worth. So far, that translates into a near-loss on Friday morning and a shellacking on Saturday morning. Fowler’s individual game is so inconsistent that he was benched in both fourballs sessions.
Captains, stop picking your friends. Keep it cold, detached and surgical. Why pick these guys who don’t deserve a spot on the team? Darren, Westwood didn’t deserve to make this team. Davis, Fowler is ranked 9th and has shown little evidence of the game that wins once a year at best.
Neither team was in need of locker-room assistance. The Euros have plenty of quality playing leadership in Rose, Garcia, Kaymer and McIlroy. Fortunately for them, they didn’t select Luke Donald over Thomas Pieters or this thing might be over already. As for the USA, we’ll reserve judgement until Sunday evening.
Speaking of Thomas Pieters…
He didn't just make a 3. @Thomas_Pieters just made an eagle-2! #TeamEurope is now 2 up on Kopeka & DJ. https://t.co/fEVcwHsJmP
— PGA.COM (@PGAcom) October 1, 2016
Not since Shigecki “Smiling Assassin” Maruyama’s debut in President’s Cup play has a first-year player had the impact of Thomas Pieters. And to think he almost missed out on a captain’s pick! Pieters has the intangibles (height and length) needed in today’s super-golfer. If not for an abysmal third round in Rio, Pieters would have claimed an Olympic medal. Dude can flat-out play, and Clarke was wise to keep him in for all four partner matches.
What does it say when veterans like McIlroy want to play with the Belgian bomber? I give Europe four points (Rose, Stenson, Pieters, McIlroy) right off the bat tomorrow.
Do you need to play these guys?
Can we sub Rafa Cabrera-Bello in for Martin Kaymer at half time in this match?
— Golf World (@GolfWorld1) October 1, 2016
Kaymer pairs with Sergio after Sergio teamed with Rafa Cabrera-Bello to win two consecutive matches… and they lose. Dustin Johnson pairs with Brooks Koepka after Koepka won two consecutive matches with Brandt Snedeker… and they lose.
Kaymer and DJ are major champions. They can get up for a singles match, trust me! They didn’t need to disrupt the mojo that was taking place here. If the captains are going to play Reed/Spieth four times and Rose/Stenson three times, why should they break up the hot hands? It’s like they don’t understand momentum, despite being professional golfers.
Future captains, take note: Play your successful twosomes until they stop coming through. Don’t throw sand toward a smoothly lubricated engine. History will judge you well.
Patrick Reed and Jordan Spieth
PATRICK REED JUST HAPPENED. #GoUSA #RyderCup https://t.co/5mZKqAwYpU
— PGA.COM (@PGAcom) October 1, 2016
These two guys might mark the turning point of Team USA’s fortunes in 2016, and perhaps beyond. Immediately after blowing a massive lead and settling for a halve in the morning foursomes, they went back to to work and defeated their Euro equivalent of a nearly-unbeatable duo of Stenson and Rose. The USA duo won six holes and lost four, returning the momentum of the home team.
The real star of the afternoon was Reed. He carried Spieth, winning all six holes for the U.S. and tying four others. Perhaps Captain Davis Love III should send Reed off first tomorrow?
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
GolfWRX is on site this week in McKinney, Texas, at the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson (FKA the AT&T Byron Nelson).
Last year at TPC Craig Ranch, Jason Day ended a five-year winless streak. J-Day is in the field again, as are Jordan Spieth, Tom Kim, and Will Zalatoris.
We have our usual assortment of general galleries, WITBs, and pullout albums for your perusal. As always, we’ll continue to add links to additional albums as they make their way to us from the Lone Star State.
Check out links to all our photos below.
General Albums
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Monday #1
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Monday #2
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Tuesday #1
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Tuesday #2
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Tuesday #3
WITB Albums
- Pierceson Coody – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Kris Kim – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- David Nyfjall – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Adrien Dumont de Chassart – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Jarred Jetter – North Texas PGA Section Champ – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Richy Werenski – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Wesley Bryan – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Parker Coody – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Peter Kuest – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Blaine Hale, Jr. – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Kelly Kraft – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Rico Hoey – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Pullout Albums
- Adam Scott’s 2 new custom L.A.B. Golf putters – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Scotty Cameron putters – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Ben Griffin playing Maxfli golf ball
See what GolfWRXers are saying in the forums.
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 Zurich Classic of New Orleans
GolfWRX is live on site this week at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans for the PGA Tour’s one-and-only two-man team event.
As usual, general galleries, WITBs, and pullout albums — including some pretty spicy custom putters and headcovers — await your viewing.
Be sure to check back for more photos from the Big Easy, as we’ll continue to update this page with additional galleries throughout the week.
General Albums
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Monday #1
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Monday #2
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Tuesday #1
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Tuesday #2
WITB Albums
- Alex Fitzpatrick – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Austin Cook – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Alejandro Tosti – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Davis Riley – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- MJ Daffue – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Nate Lashley – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- James Nicholas – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Kevin Streelman – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Rasmus Hojgaard – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Tom Whitney – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- SangMoon Bae – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Daniel Berger – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Rory McIlroy – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Russ Cochrane – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Aldrich Potgieter – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Steve Stricker WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Drew Brees WITB (Legendary New Orleans Saints QB) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Derek Carr (New Orleans Saints QB) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Thriston Lawrence WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
Pullout Albums
- MJ Daffue’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Cameron putters – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Swag covers ( a few custom for Nick Hardy) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Custom Bettinardi covers for Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Doug Ghim’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Patrick Cantlay spotted testing a Scotty Cameron blade putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 RBC Heritage
GolfWRX is on site this week at Harbour Town Golf Links on Hilton Head Island for the RBC Heritage. Plenty of golfers who competed in the Masters last week will be making the quick turnaround in the Lowcountry of South Carolina as the Heritage is again one of the Tour’s Signature Events.
We have general albums for you to check out, as well as plenty of WITBs — including Justin Thomas and Justin Rose.
We’ll continue to update as more photos flow in from SC.
Check out links to all our photos, below.
General Albums
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Monday #1
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Monday #2
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Tuesday #1
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Tuesday #2
WITB Albums
- Justin Thomas – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Justin Rose – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Chandler Phillips – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Nick Dunlap – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Thomas Detry – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Austin Eckroat – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Xander Schauffele – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Jason Day – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Will Zalatoris – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Patrick Cantlay – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Ludvig Aberg – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Collin Morikawa – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Sam Burns – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Stephen Jaeger – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
Pullout Albums
- Wyndham Clark’s Odyssey putter – 2024 RBC Heritage
- JT’s new Cameron putter – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Justin Thomas testing new Titleist 2 wood – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Cameron putters – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Odyssey putter with triple track alignment aid – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Scotty Cameron The Blk Box putting alignment aid/training aid – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Cameron putter – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Odyssey Ai One Eleven T putters – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Christian Bezuidenhout – testing new Callaway Ti 340 mini driver – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Rory McIlroy testing the new TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver Copper – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Xander Schauffele testing the Callaway Ti 340 mini driver & the DUW – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Byeong Hun An, two new L.A.B. Golf putter builds with “T” alignment – 2024 RBC Heritage
See what GolfWRXers are saying and join the discussion in the forums.
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bubba the watson
Oct 2, 2016 at 8:07 am
american fans have been disgusting…. A nation which lacks class.
USA
Oct 2, 2016 at 2:24 pm
^ is this Peter Willett?
Reeche
Oct 2, 2016 at 7:56 am
Keep your cool heads on “TEAM EUROPE ”
Don’t rise to it .ignore it
It’s only a game…
ND Hickman
Oct 2, 2016 at 5:54 am
Have to say, I did not care for the way some of the fans were acting yesterday towards the Europeans. Little bit unsavoury.
Golfer
Oct 2, 2016 at 8:16 am
Same thing happens to the Americans when the cup is played in Europe… Some people just take it a little too far.
Sven Olsen
Oct 2, 2016 at 5:16 pm
That is simply not true – one thing is to cheer and spur you own players on – another entirely to behave badly against the opposing team’s members.
The morons should have been removed physically, and banned from all golf events in future.
ND Hickmam
Oct 3, 2016 at 2:45 pm
I was at gleneagles. What you just said is simply not true.
Sv
Oct 2, 2016 at 3:38 am
The Ryder Cup has become a pathetic shout-fest for the players who feel like they are free to belt out their inner hooligan. It’s time that stopped, if they honestly want people to take this silly shouting contest seriously and bring back some more respect to the game.
Craig
Oct 2, 2016 at 5:33 am
Yes, disturbing and grubby. Reminds me of a saying that a workmate uses, so many clowns, but sadly not enough circuses.
Diarra
Oct 2, 2016 at 10:55 am
Disagree, I think having a competition where you show some emotions, by both the players and the fans is extremely positive for the sport. Yes there have been moments where people have crossed the line but these are a minority. It also shoes another side of the sport to the younger generations. This weekend has been absolutely amazing for the viewer. I found the FedEx cup playoffs extremely boring to watch as it is only about money for the players, even the fans didn’t seem to care about who wins. The rest of the season is filled with “traditional”events that people with “respect” can watch, let the Ryder cup be about emotions and not money.
Otto
Oct 2, 2016 at 3:24 pm
I agree. It’s getting to be a tiresome, loud, obnoxious event
KJ
Oct 1, 2016 at 10:58 pm
Reed beat two of the best players in the world literally by himself. Sure hope Speith can get back on track tomorrow.