It was never really in question after day one. The Americans led the Ryder Cup competition wire to wire, something they haven’t been able to do in more than a decade…and here they were without the number one player in the world, Tiger Woods. After the individual match play yesterday, Team USA prevailed 16 1/2 to 11 1/2.

It wasn’t that the European team played badly. They didn’t. The Americans just played better and with more heart, especially the younger and older members of the team. Particularly noteworthy was Kenny Perry’s performance. Born and raised just miles away from Valhalla Golf Club where the competition was held, Perry played the tournament of his career and his brilliant short game was rewarded with cheers and autograph requests from his hometown crowd. You’d have thought yesterday that he WAS Tiger Woods (and maybe just for yesterday, he was.)

Also impressive was Chad Campbell, at 34 years old one of the youngest member of the team and a coach’s pick. Campbell went head-to-head with Padraig Harrington yesterday in the one-on-one matches and never flinched, despite the fact that Harrington has one two majors this year and Campbell has yet to win one–ever.

Much has been made today, especially by the British press, about the role of the captains–Paul Azinger for the Americans and Nick Faldo for the European team. Was Faldo responsible for the European loss. Not really. No more than Azinger was responsible for the American win. In the end, it just came down to who wanted to win the most and last weekend, it was the Americans.

^{(Photo © Newscom)}

Post from: Green Posse

The third and final day of the Ryder Cup competition begins today around noon at Louisville’s Vahalla Golf Club. The US team is ahead by two points, but anything can happen with the one-on-one matches. Today’s pairings and tee-off times are as follows:

• 1203pm – Anthony Kim (US) vs. Sergio Garcia (Europe)
• 1214pm – Hunter Mahan (US) vs. Paul Casey (Europe)
• 1225pm – Justin Leonard (US) vs. Robert Karlsson (Europe)
• 1236pm – Phil Mickelson (US) vs. Justin Rose (Europe)
• 1247pm – Kenny Perry (US) vs. Henrik Stenson (Europe)
• 1258pm – Boo Weekley (pictured above celebrating yesterday) (US) vs. Oliver Wilson (Europe)
• 109pm – J.B. Holmes (pictured at right above) (US) vs. Soren Hansen (Europe)
• 120pm – Jim Furyk (US) vs. Miquel Angel Jimenez
• 131pm – Stewart Cink (US) vs. Graeme McDowell (Europe)
• 142pm – Ben Curtis (US) vs. Ian Poulter (Europe)
• 153pm – Chad Campbell (US) vs. Padraig Harrington (Europe)

The action will be televised on NBC beginning at noon.

^{(photo © Newscom)}

Post from: Green Posse

Post from: Green Posse

All eyes are on Louisville and the Ryder Cup this weekend. The only other golf event is the Nationwide Tour’s Oregon Classic and it’s not being televised. The Ryder Cup action may be seen as follows:(all times are EDT).

Saturday, September 20
9am – 6pm on NBC

Sunday, September 21
Midnight – 1am – ESPN2
Noon – 6pm – NBC
6pm – 7pm – ESPN News (closing ceremonies)

Post from: Green Posse

The Ryder Cup finally begins tomorrow morning and the team captains, Nick Faldo for Team Europe and Paul Azinger for Team USA, announced the first day match-ups today. The first contest is an alternate shot format. The pairings are:

• Phil Mickelson/Anthony Kim vs. Padraig Harrington/ Robert Karlsson
• Justin Leonard/Hunter Mahan vs. Henrik Stenson/Paul Casey
• Stewart Cink/Chad Campbell vs. Justin Rose/Ian Poulter
• Kenny Perry/Jim Furyk vs. Lee Westwood/Sergio Garcia.

The action will be televised on ESPN beginning at 8am.

^{(photo © Newscom)}

Post from: Green Posse

With the Ryder Cup competition set to begin next week, two Ryder Cup Team members–one on each team–are still questionable as to whether they will be healthy enough to participate. Europe’s Lee Westwood (pictured above) is still struggling with a bout of tonsillitis he contracted about ten days ago. He was forced to miss the European Masters last week due to the illness. Should he be unable to play, it’s likely that captain Nick Faldo would choose German Martin Kaymer as his replacement.

Also struggling is American Kenny Perry, who was forced to drop out of the PGA Tour for a few weeks in early August due to a scratched and infected cornea. He is said to be improving, but still has slightly fuzzy vision in one eye.

At this writing, both men are still planning to compete in the Ryder Cup, but the situation bears watching..

For more about the Ryder Cup, see:

• About Valhalla Golf Club
• US Finalizes Ryder Team
• European Ryder Team Complete

Post from: Green Posse

The golf world is gearing up for the Ryder Cup, to be held at the Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky from September 16 to 21 (2008). A few facts about the course:

• Valhalla’s golf course was designed by Jack Nicklaus; it opened in 1986.
• It is a Par 71, 7496 yard course.
• The course’s signature hole is #13 with features an approach over water to an island green.
• The 16th hole to accommodate amphitheater-style seating for spectators.

For more about the 2008 Ryder Cup, see:

• US Finalizes its Ryder Cup Team
• Team Europe Picks its Final Ryder Cup Members
• How the US Ryder Cup Team is Chosen

^{(photo © Newscom)}

Post from: Green Posse

The Ryder Cup players are also decided upon. Team USA Captain, Paul Azinger added Steve Stricker, JB Holmes, Hunter Mahan, and Chad Campbell as his picks to round out the roster. They will join automatic qualifiers, Phil Mickelson, Stewart Cink, Kenny Perry, Jim Furyk, Anthony Kim, Justin Leonard, Ben Curtis, and Boo Weekley.

The Ryder Cup competition begins next week at Kentucky’s Vahalla Country Club.

For more about the 2008 Ryder Cup, see:

• European Ryder Cup Team Complete
• How the US Ryder Cup Team is Chosen

Post from: Green Posse

Oliver Wilson finished 10th in the European Tour’s Johnnie Walker Classic this weekend clinching an automatic place on Europe’s Ryder Cup team. Joining him are captain Nick Faldo’s two picks–Ian Poulter and Paul Casey. Notably missing this year is Colin Montgomerie, a Ryder Cup veteran who’s having a challenging season.

Rounding out Team Europe are Padraig Harrington, Sergio Garcia, Lee Westwood, Henrik Stenson, Robert Karlsson, Miguel Angel Jimenez,
Graeme McDowell, Justin Rose, and Soren Hansen.

Team USA captain, Paul Azinger will make his two picks on Monday to finalize his team.

Post from: Green Posse

Eight of the 12 Ryder Cup team members have earned a spot, following the PGA Championship that concluded last weekend. They are:

The other four participants will be chosen by team captain, Paul Azinger. He has until September 2 to make his decision.

Team Europe members will be announced in three weeks. Ten of the members will automatically qualify based on their rankings. Two will be chosen by team captain, Nick Faldo.

The Ryder Cup is September 19 – 21 at Kentucky’s Valhalla Golf Course.

For more about the Ryder Cup, see:
How they pick the US Ryder Cup Team
Azinger announced Ryder Cup captain

Post from: Green Posse