Tour News
2012 Ryder Cup Quick Predictions: Sunday Singles
By Tim Gavrich
GolfWRX Contributor
Day two of the 2012 Ryder Cup is in the books, as is another impressive performance by the American team. Led by another virtuoso performance by Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley, the Yanks built a lead of 10-6 over the European side, with Sunday’s dozen singles matches set to begin on another brilliant autumn day in Chicago.
The difference in scores has forced European captain Olazabal’s hand somewhat, as he has front-loaded his lineup somewhat, in order to try and put points on the board early and hope for some inspired play on the back end. Predictably, Captain Davis Love III has done more or less likewise, stacking the front of his list with his most dynamic players and leaving the cooler customers for the back half. It should be enough to return the Cup to American soil, but Europe was ahead 10-6 with one day left in 1999 at Brookline, and we know what happened that day.
11:03 am (all times CT): Bubba Watson (USA) vs. Luke Donald
Watson will once again strike his opening tee shot with the pro-American crowds screaming, electrifying the beginning of the day. He wouldn’t make a great leadoff hitter in baseball, but he’s perfectly cut out for it in the Ryder Cup. Donald, however, is going to be a tough nut to crack and could easily chip and putt Bubba to death.
Advantage: Europe
11:14 am: Webb Simpson vs. Ian Poulter
Simpson was sublime this afternoon alongside Bubba Watson, but Poulter was even better, making birdie on the last five holes to help partner Rory McIlroy snatch a full point from Jason Dufner and Zach Johnson. Poults has been Europe’s clear MVP.
Advantage: Europe
11:25 am: Keegan Bradley vs. Rory McIlroy
Whatever happens between the U.S. and Euro teams, this is the match of the day. The young lifebloods of each team square off here. Bradley has been legendary alongside Phil Mickelson this week, but he’s now on his own against the number-one player in the world.
Toss-up
11:36 am: Phil Mickelson vs. Justin Rose
Mickelson’s pairings with Keegan Bradley have utterly revolutionized his Ryder Cup play. Rose is an accomplished player and younger, but Mickelson has floated above the ground for the first two days.
Advantage: USA
11:47 am: Brandt Snedeker vs. Paul Lawrie
Snedeker had a solid first two Ryder Cup matches, paired with Jim Furyk and losing to and then defeating the formidable team of Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell in Friday and Saturday mornings’ Foursomes matches, respectively. Lawrie has been waiting 13 years for this chance and won’t go quietly.
Toss-up
11:58 am: Dustin Johnson vs. Nicolas Colsaerts
This is the Pairing Most Likely To Hit Into The Pairing Ahead, putting two of the longest hitters in the game at odds. Colsaerts’ Saturday was decidedly less inspiring than his Friday and Johnson’s Ryder Cup has, save for a couple timely putts, been just okay. Someone’s going to get hot in this one and it could be over quickly.
Advantage: Europe
12:09 pm: Zach Johnson vs. Graeme McDowell
The gritty, persistent Johnson faces the man who secured the winning point for the European side in the 2010 Ryder Cup. That man seems less reliable this year than he was then, but he will still be a tough customer in single play, especially having had Saturday afternoon off.
Advantage: Europe
12:20 pm: Jim Furyk vs. Sergio Garcia
Furyk has been solid if unspectacular this weekend. But Sergio, like Poulter, contracts a sort of brilliant madness (or mad brilliance) in this event. And playing the underdog should only further inspire him. Furyk will fight hard, but a half or a win would be an upset in this case.
Advantage: Europe
12:31 pm: Jason Dufner vs. Peter Hanson
Dufner has exceeded the expectations of most, heading into Sunday with a 2-1-0 record alongside Zach Johnson. He has shown that he is game for the hardships of the Ryder Cup pressure-cooker. Hanson didn’t show much in his one match Friday afternoon alongside Paul Lawrie, though.
Advantage: USA
12:42 pm: Matt Kuchar vs. Lee Westwood
After seeming to struggle in practice rounds early in the week, Kuchar has risen to the occasion so far. The same cannot be said of the sputtering Westwood, whose only victory this week came by the grace of Nicolas Colsaerts phenomenal Friday play. The Westwood who’s wreaked havoc on the Ryder Cup in years past has to show up sometime, hasn’t he?
Toss-up
12:53 pm: Steve Stricker vs. Martin Kaymer
Though he and Tiger Woods (see next and last pairing) went 0-3-0 in team play this week, Stricker’s status as a veteran who is a great putter will be well suited to the pressure that can be felt in a penultimate group. If the U.S. takes care of business, this match won’t matter, but if it does, Stricker is a great candidate to secure the winning point or half-point, especially against the mightily struggling Kaymer.
Advantage: USA
1:04 pm: Tiger Woods vs. Francesco Molinari
This is not the Woods-McIlroy feature grouping many people desired (present company included), but rather it’s a rematch of the 2010 Ryder Cup singles match. Tiger beat Molinari then, and he’ll beat him this time too, whether or not the point is needed. He’s been abysmal in team play, but his singles record is excellent. Plus, he’s still Tiger Woods.
Advantage: USA
Captain Olazabal gets the slight edge for roster-craft over Captain Love, but it will still take a Herculean combination of efforts to pull the upset on Sunday, one that would top the American comeback in 1999 (the Americans had the home crowd on their side to help them that day). That day, Olazabal was the victim of Justin Leonard’s famous putt to seal Europe’s fate. You can bet he wants payback, but he’ll have to rely on his players to give it to him. It’s a tall order, but you never know. Golf is a funny game.
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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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gus
Sep 30, 2012 at 7:41 pm
The only real toss up were the final 2 matches. If you look a the pairings it was front loaded with Europe needing to start out of the gate early and the Americans needed to close the deal quickly.
The last two matches features 4 players with a combined 0-9 record and most likely would have not mattered in all honesty.
Sam
Sep 30, 2012 at 6:39 pm
I bet the two people above feel daft now.
Bobobs
Sep 30, 2012 at 9:41 am
Are you sure your tv is not tuned to a past Ryder Cup rerun? Or are you stirring the proverbial pot ? Your predictions are I guess your predictions, however even for a non American, way off !
jr
Sep 30, 2012 at 9:10 am
There is absolutely no way that Europe is favored in 5 of these matches. Webb Simpson still has to be a favorite vs. Poulter no matter what Poulter did yesterday.(US OPEN CHAMP). If you’re going by form from this week only, than how can you have Graeme over Zach Johnson? Which part of Europe are you from?