Tour News
U.S. Ryder Cup Team: This is the moment
By John Wunder
GolfWRX Contributor
It’s Ryder Cup week and the top 24 players from Europe and the U.S. will descend on Medinah Country Club in Chicago, Ill. Since 1999, with the exception of the Valhalla matches, the Ryder Cup has been a source of pure disappointment and confusion for American golf. Some may say that the culprit is bad luck or the U.S. Team’s inability to make putts at the right time, but I would call it a lack of connection among the players. These matches have been more of an exhibition in European camaraderie and character building than anything. If America is ever going to truly turn the page, this is the team and this is the moment.
The 2012 team very much mirrors the victorious Valhalla squad. Swapping FedExCup champion Brandt Snedeker for Hunter Mahan, Bubba Watson for J.B. Holmes, Jason Dufner for Boo Weekley and Keegan Bradley for Anthony Kim, the U.S. Team has the personality and talent blend to make a statement. The 2008 squad looked like the team we all hope to watch every Ryder Cup. It wasn’t the victory that solidified this point, but the faces of the U.S. players during the matches. The celebrations, the tenacity and more than anything the laughter. We watched 12 guys having a blast… together.
This process starts with Captain Davis Love III and his ability to blend personalities and not necessarily styles of play. I agree that this tact has been effective in the Presidents Cup, but this is not apples to apples. The Ryder Cup is a different animal than The Presidents Cup.
History plays a big factor in the pressure of these matches, but even more so is the the fear by the Americans that they will be overtaken by the Europeans on the world stage. For that reason,the Americans know they have something to prove this year. It’s not that the U.S. dominates the sport, but they know they have the better team this year.
If you watch previous Ryder Cup matches, it’s apparent that the blinding difference in styles is purely social. As an example, Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell are good partners not for the reason of ball flight or golf ball model, but simply because their personalities work well together. If you pulled their uniforms off it’s just two buddies having a game.
Seve Ballesteros set the tone for this in 1995 taking a young David Gilford under his wing and literally fathering him to good play. In 2006, the European team came together like the Clarke family and dominated alongside their emotionally wounded brother Darren. It’s the human element that the 2010 U.S. team lacked. It’s that yin-and-yang and selflessness that wins these matches.
The bonds that can be created in these matches are invaluable to young players. Fred Couples has mentioned numerous times how his pairing with Ray Floyd in 1989 literally changed his career. That friendship still lasts today. Mickelson formed a similar bond with Anthony Kim in 2008. Mickelson more than anyone has attempted to create this vibe but it’s fallen on deaf ears. Even to this day you will find him on Tuesday practice rounds playing with Bradley, Mahan and Dustin Johnson.
For the first time 36-year-old Tiger Woods can use his life experience to truly mentor a young player and guide him thru the week. In past years he has been more deity than player and his human side was hard to find. But 2012 is different — he has picked himself off the ground and is no longer the biggest stick on the street. Medinah has been a source of good memories for Woods (he won the PGA Championship there in 1999 and 2006), and beyond his physical ability his past memories to draw from have been his greatest weapon. He can take this chance to pair up with a Keegan Bradley or Bubba Watson and literally stoke the fire.
I challenge Tiger more than anyone to take on a new idea. We all know he prefers the quiet grinder type, but If you turn the clock back to 1999 it wasn’t Furyk or Stricker who inspired Tiger’s best golf, it was Steve Pate. The combination of the stoic Tiger and the unpredictable Pate led to not only great viewing but pure electricity that inspired the rest of the team. Tiger had no choice but to just enjoy the show, and the birdies flew. As an onlooker I still find Tiger isolating himself in practice and rarely bonding with anyone. Look back in GolfWRX tournament pictures and notice the one constant besides his Nike Blades… Arjun Atwal. I’m hoping this pattern changes. It’s what the U.S. team needs.
The U.S. approach to winning these things reminds me of the movie Moneyball. Jonah Hill’s character mentioned that the decision makers in baseball had an “imperfect understanding of where runs come from.” This is true for U.S. golf. If I’m Davis Love, my pairing decisions are not going to be made based on what happens on the course, but based on the social interactions my players have. Who makes who laugh, smile, tick, etc. Let’s face it — all of these players can play under pressure, hit the shots and make the putts. They wouldn’t be here otherwise. But when push comes to shove the X factor of these matches is the ability to settle down and go have the time of your life with someone you have a connection with.
Come sunday evening we will know if the scope of U.S. golf has evolved and become the fraternity that everyone likes to call it. I’ll be watching along with the rest of the world and I hope to see 12 individuals become a family.
Click here for more discussion in the “Tour Talk” forum.
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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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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 Valero Texas Open
GolfWRX is on site this week at the Valero Texas Open.
The event has been around since 1922, making it one of the oldest on the PGA Tour calendar. Over the years, it’s been held at a variety of courses across the Lone Star State, but it’s found its home at TPC San Antonio in recent years. Some of the biggest names in golf have taken home the title here, including Arnold Palmer, Ben Hogan, Lee Trevino, and Ben Crenshaw.
GolfWRX has its usual assortment of general galleries, WITBs and special pull-out albums. As always, we’ll continue to update the links below as more photos come in from TPC San Antonio.
General Albums
WITB Albums
- Ben Taylor – WITB – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Paul Barjon – WITB – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Joe Sullivan – WITB – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Wilson Furr – WITB – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Ben Willman – SoTex PGA Section Champ – WITB – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Jimmy Stanger – WITB – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Rickie Fowler – WITB – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Harrison Endycott – WITB – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Vince Whaley – WITB – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Kevin Chappell – WITB – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Christian Bezuidenhout – WITB (mini) – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Scott Gutschewski – WITB – 2024 Valero Texas Open
Pullout Albums
- Cameron putter – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Ben Taylor with new Titleist TRS 2 wood – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Swag cover – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Greyson Sigg’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Davis Riley’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Josh Teater’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Hzrdus T1100 is back – – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Mark Hubbard testing ported Titleist irons – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Tyson Alexander testing new Titleist TRS 2 wood – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Hideki Matsuyama’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Cobra putters – 2024 Valero Texas Open
See what GolfWRXers are saying in the forums.
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Lee
Sep 27, 2012 at 3:35 pm
‘Settle down and have the time of you’re lives’ come on this is the Ryder Cup and Europe are going kick butt!
Seriously this will be sport at it’s most dramatic and highest level. Let’s appreciate it for what it is and embrace it. In the long run it’s irrelevant who wins as long as golf does which surely it will.