Team USA Preview
Embarrassment of Riches for Furyk
As first time Captain Jim Furyk looks over his team his must be thinking its theirs to lose at Le National. This has to be the best USA side on paper ever assembled. Furyk will also have all the experience he needs at his side off the course as well. Seasoned Ryder Cup Stars, Duval, Johnson, Kuchar, Love and Stricker will ably support the team of superstars in their own right.
Furyk went for a mixture of experience and form or both in Tiger’s case with his Captain’s selections. Tony Finau and unorthodox Bryson Dechambeau will make their Ryder Cup Debut’s, whilst Mickelson and Woods will add maturity to the relatively young Team USA.
When looking through this team I was trying to find a potential weak link. I landed on Webb Simpson, even he is a Major winner and a player who has been in good form. But if you look a little deeper if you haven’t played in a Ryder Cup before, nothing can really prepare you. Finau and Dechambeau fit that bill and it will be interesting to see how much they play over the first two days.
If you look at things like World rankings, Major Wins etc then Team USA should win hands down. But this is the Ryder Cup and even the mighty Tiger hasn’t had it all his way in previous editions.
It’s a fascinating match up and although USA are normally a lot stronger in the singles come Sunday, who Furyk pairs over the first two days could determine the outcome. If Team USA dovetail well in the foursomes it may well be a long weekend for Team Europe.
Tiger Woods
Ryder Cup Record:
Won 13 Halved 3 Lost 17
Major Wins:
14
World Ranking:
13
Brooks Koepka
Ryder Cup Record:
Won 3 Halved 0 Lost 1
Major Wins:
3
World Ranking:
3
Tony Finau
Ryder Cup Record:
Debut
Major Wins:
0
World Ranking:
17
Phil Mickelson
Ryder Cup Record:
Won 18 Halved 7 Lost 20
Major Wins:
5
World Ranking:
25
Bryson Dechambeau
Ryder Cup Record:
Debut
Major Wins:
0
World Ranking:
7
Jordan Speith
Ryder Cup Record:
Won 4 Halved 2 Lost 3
Major Wins:
3
World Ranking:
10
Patrick Reed
Ryder Cup Record:
Won 6 Halved 1 Lost 2
Major Wins:
1
World Ranking:
15
Bubba Watson
Ryder Cup Record:
Won 3 Halved 0 Lost 8
Major Wins:
2
World Ranking:
14
Justin Thomas
Ryder Cup Record:
Debut
Major Wins:
1
World Ranking:
4
Webb Simpson
Ryder Cup Record:
Won 2 Halved 1 Lost 3
Major Wins:
1
World Ranking:
16
Dustin Johnson
Ryder Cup Record:
Won 6 Halved 0 Lost 5
Major Wins:
1
World Ranking:
1
Rickie Fowler
Ryder Cup Record:
Won 2 Halved 5 Lost 4
Major Wins:
0
World Ranking:
9
Possible Pairings
Wow what a side and an endless list of possible pairings to chose from for Captain Furyk. It will be interesting to see how much he plays the experienced guys like Watson and Mickelson. Both don’t have outstanding records in the Ryder Cup and are definitely not ‘in form’.
The advantage that Furyk has is that a lot of young guns grew up playing together, through college Golf and beyond so they will be used to this type of format. Woods following his win will obviously be the main draw and it will be very interesting to see who partners Tiger across the first two days.
Powerful Friendship
Justin Thomas will be playing his first Ryder Cup and I wouldn’t be surprised if he is paired with his good friend Jordan Speith at some stage. Speith was a stalwart alongside Patrick Reed in 2016 but I have a feeling we will see these two together at some stage.
On the note of newly found friendships, any chance of Tiger playing with Mickelson? The much publicised rift now seems to be over and the farce of a match up that we previously covered may have brought these now veterans together………
Strong Backbone
I would love to see Dustin Johnson and Brooks Koepka play together again in this event. for me Koepka’s performances over the last 18 months have been nothing short of phenomenal. With Johnson literally always there even after using I think 6 different putters / styles this year says it all. For me this would be arguably Team USA’s best Fourball pairing.
Form over Inexperience?
The biggest decision I think for Furyk is how much he plays his form players. Both Dechambeau and Finau have been tremendous recently but have yet to experience the cauldron of a Ryder Cup. It would be no surprise to me to see these two potential thrown in, Dechambeau in the foursomes, consistency is fantastic and Finau in the Fourballs. Alongside a Woods or Mickelson I think these guys will shine.
It will be fascinating to follow and can’t wait for the action now.
