# Ryder Cup 2010 Discussion! **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [September 29, 2010, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ryder-cup-2010-discussion/555519 "2010-09-29T20:52:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![notfrommensa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f14d63/32.png) [@notfrommensa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notfrommensa)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2010, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ryder-cup-2010-discussion/555519/1 "2010-09-29T20:52:36Z")
I love the Ryder Cup. I think it is the most compelling competition in golf and I look forward to it very much. TV coverage in the states starts early on Friday, on the east coast. 2:30 am. Actually starts at 11;30 pm Thursday night on the west coast. Two years ago, the US team won for the first time in the 21st century. The only other time the US team has won since 1993 is 1999 matches in the Boston area in a miraculous Sunday comeback This year the matches are going to be in Wales, and the weather does not look good. Rain in the forecast every day. :mad: The US Team, according to the British bookies are decided underdogs. You can bet 80 pounds on the Yanks and get 130 lbs back plus your original bet. (if the Yanks win) The US team won fairly easily in 2008 without Tiger Woods on the team, and have struggled mightily when Tiger has been on the team. I’ll be glued to the TV to watch the compelling competition in golf. Go USA. ---
**Author:** ![Lamar\_Mundane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2010, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ryder-cup-2010-discussion/555519/2 "2010-09-30T05:17:23Z")
> [@notfrommensa](#): > > The US team won fairly easily in 2008 without Tiger Woods on the team, and have struggled mightily when Tiger has been on the team. Which member of the US Ryder Cup team has the best record in the Cup? ---
**Author:** ![notfrommensa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f14d63/32.png) [@notfrommensa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notfrommensa)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2010, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ryder-cup-2010-discussion/555519/3 "2010-09-30T14:20:08Z")
Hunter Mahan, Steve Stricker 1-0. They were rookies on the 2008 team. ---
**Author:** ![notfrommensa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f14d63/32.png) [@notfrommensa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notfrommensa)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2010, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ryder-cup-2010-discussion/555519/4 "2010-09-30T16:47:23Z")
Here are the Friday Morning Matches (Four-ball aka known as Best Ball) All times local. (+5 EDT) 7:45 AM – Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson (USA) vs. Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer (EUR) 8:00 AM – Stewart Cink and Matt Kuchar (USA) vs. Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell (EUR) 8:15 AM – Steve Stricker and Tiger Woods (USA) vs. Ian Poulter and Ross Fisher (EUR) 8:30 AM – Bubba Watson and Jeff Overton (USA) vs. Luke Donald and Padraig Harrington (EUR) Coverage starts on ESPN at Friday 2:30 am edt. ---
**Author:** ![Busy\_Scissors](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d78d45/32.png) [@Busy\_Scissors](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Busy_Scissors)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2010, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ryder-cup-2010-discussion/555519/5 "2010-09-30T18:29:44Z")
Hard to see anything other than a collective smacked arse for the Yanks in this one. A weekend of golf in Wales in the pishing rain? Mickelson et al won’t want to get involved - they’ll be pining for the balmy country clubs of home by Saturday morning. In the US’ favour, the European captain is one of the most egregious dickheads in world sport. So there’s a possibility the entire Euro team could throw the match in rage at having to share the same golf course as him for 3 days. Are ye sending over any hillbillies for our entertainment? Bubba Watson, schooled at Faulkner State Community College, University of Georgia - sounds like there’s some redneck potential there. ---
**Author:** ![Lamar\_Mundane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2010, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ryder-cup-2010-discussion/555519/6 "2010-09-30T19:49:37Z")
> [@notfrommensa](#): > > Hunter Mahan, Steve Stricker 1-0. They were rookies on the 2008 team. Wrong on both counts. Mahan has the best record (followed by Tiger Woods) at 2 wins and one half. Stricker has 0 wins, 2 losses and one half. ---
**Author:** ![notfrommensa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f14d63/32.png) [@notfrommensa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notfrommensa)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2010, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ryder-cup-2010-discussion/555519/7 "2010-09-30T19:57:27Z")
> [@Lamar\_Mundane](#): > > > [@notfrommensa](#): > > > > Hunter Mahan, Steve Stricker 1-0. They were rookies on the 2008 team. > > Wrong on both counts. Mahan has the best record (followed by Tiger Woods) at 2 wins and one half. Stricker has 0 wins, 2 losses and one half. Ryder Cup is a team competition, not an individual tournament. The only record that matters is how the team does. Mahan and Strickers teams are 1-0 in the Ryder Cup. Luke Donald’s team are 2-0 in the Ryder Cup ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2010, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ryder-cup-2010-discussion/555519/8 "2010-09-30T21:14:31Z")
> [@notfrommensa](#): > > Here are the Friday Morning Matches (Four-ball aka known as Best Ball) > > All times local. (+5 EDT) > 7:45 AM – Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson (USA) vs. Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer (EUR) > > 8:00 AM – Stewart Cink and Matt Kuchar (USA) vs. Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell (EUR) > > 8:15 AM – Steve Stricker and Tiger Woods (USA) vs. Ian Poulter and Ross Fisher (EUR) > > 8:30 AM – Bubba Watson and Jeff Overton (USA) vs. Luke Donald and Padraig Harrington (EUR) > > Coverage starts on ESPN at Friday 2:30 am edt. USA starts off 3 to 1 lead then. ---
**Author:** ![Lamar\_Mundane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2010, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ryder-cup-2010-discussion/555519/9 "2010-09-30T21:44:33Z")
> [@notfrommensa](#): > > > [@Lamar\_Mundane](#): > > > > Wrong on both counts. Mahan has the best record (followed by Tiger Woods) at 2 wins and one half. Stricker has 0 wins, 2 losses and one half. > > Ryder Cup is a team competition, not an individual tournament. The only record that matters is how the team does. > > Mahan and Strickers teams are 1-0 in the Ryder Cup. > > Luke Donald’s team are 2-0 in the Ryder Cup No, Stricker has never won a match in the Ryder Cup, either as a single or as part of a team. Luke Donald plays for Europe, I don’t know what he has got to do with anything. My point is that you tried to pin U.S. troubles on Tiger Woods when in actuality he has the second best Ryder Cup record on the team. ---
**Author:** ![notfrommensa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f14d63/32.png) [@notfrommensa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notfrommensa)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2010, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ryder-cup-2010-discussion/555519/10 "2010-09-30T22:45:02Z")
What is it that you don’t understand about TEAM competitions? It doesn’t matter how good Lebron James is if he doesn’t have a championship ring. Steve Stricker’s and Hunter Mahan’s **teams** are undefeated in Ryder Cup competition. that is the only thing that matters. Individual records are as irrelevant as the greens in regulation statistic. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2010, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ryder-cup-2010-discussion/555519/11 "2010-09-30T22:55:21Z")
Tiger will still detract from the cup . You have to wonder if he can play well in this format, after all the troubles he caused himself. It is a team running with a spare donut tire it can not quite trust. It may be fine but you worry about it all the time you have to depend on it. ---
**Author:** ![notfrommensa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f14d63/32.png) [@notfrommensa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notfrommensa)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2010, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ryder-cup-2010-discussion/555519/12 "2010-10-01T01:06:44Z")
What could be Tiger gazing at in [this picture](http://www.weiunderpar.com/post/tiger-has-an-eye-for-talent) in today’s opening ceremonies. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2010, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ryder-cup-2010-discussion/555519/13 "2010-10-01T02:52:05Z")
This year, as in 2006, I suspect we could go back to the old system, with the U.S. vs. England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, and the American squad would STILL be underdogs. As in 2006, the European captain had so many great people to choose from, he left some big names off the team. Big upsets are possible, and I’ll be delighted to be proven wrong… but the Euro team looks so much deeper than ours, it’s hard to imagine them losing. ---
**Author:** ![Busy\_Scissors](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d78d45/32.png) [@Busy\_Scissors](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Busy_Scissors)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2010, 11:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ryder-cup-2010-discussion/555519/14 "2010-10-01T11:58:44Z")
Bit of an underwhelming start. 2 hrs play and it’s pishing doon - been rained off for the past 3 hrs. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2010, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ryder-cup-2010-discussion/555519/15 "2010-10-01T12:25:29Z")
> [@Busy\_Scissors](#): > > Bit of an underwhelming start. 2 hrs play and it’s pishing doon - been rained off for the past 3 hrs. Who could have anticipated pishing rain on the 1st of October in Wales! I wonder if they’ll play on to Monday? ---
**Author:** ![notfrommensa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f14d63/32.png) [@notfrommensa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notfrommensa)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2010, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ryder-cup-2010-discussion/555519/16 "2010-10-01T13:07:49Z")
I don’t think there is any way that they will not play into Monday. The Ryder cup should not be scheduled in October. I know 3 of the last 4 Ryder Cups have been marred by rain. 1997 in Spain, 2006 in Ireland, and now this one. I am glad I set the DVR rather than staying up all night. Who would have thought that Bubba and Overton would be the only Yanks that have done anything of note in the first 2 hours? ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2010, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ryder-cup-2010-discussion/555519/17 "2010-10-01T13:22:05Z")
Apparently the US team are having to buy actual waterproof waterproofs from the merchandise tent at Celtic Manor. lol. Well, this day hasn’t turned out as planned, so off to get a haircut and then the pub. It’s as wet here as in Wales, so have fashioned rudimentary canoe. ---
**Author:** ![Dead\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9fc29f/32.png) [@Dead\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dead_Cat)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2010, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ryder-cup-2010-discussion/555519/18 "2010-10-01T13:40:36Z")
> [@notfrommensa](#): > > What is it that you don’t understand about TEAM competitions? It doesn’t matter how good Lebron James is if he doesn’t have a championship ring. > > Steve Stricker’s and Hunter Mahan’s **teams** are undefeated in Ryder Cup competition. that is the only thing that matters. > > Individual records are as irrelevant as the greens in regulation statistic. I’m sorry, but this is absloute bollocks. The results of the individual players contribute towards the team result. If the 2008 team had 12 players with Steve Stricker’s record, it would not have won the Ryder Cup. In effect, Steve Stricker is 1-0 despite his participation, not because of it. Now, you _could_ try to make the argument that Tiger’s (good) individual results do not compensate sufficiently for what you see as his disruptive effect on the rest of the team, but you’re not doing very well at it so far. ---
**Author:** ![notfrommensa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f14d63/32.png) [@notfrommensa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notfrommensa)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2010, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ryder-cup-2010-discussion/555519/19 "2010-10-01T14:01:10Z")
I truly believe that in RC competitions that “…The whole is greater than the sum of the parts…” Match Play at the Ryder Cup is total crap shoot, an individual can play well (shoot ~66) and lose their match, an individual can play poorly (shoot ~73) and win. It depend on how well your opponent plays, and also how well your partner plays. I don’t glean any information from individual records because it is totally irrelevant. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2010, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ryder-cup-2010-discussion/555519/20 "2010-10-01T15:30:28Z")
In match play ,you change your play to counter the play of your opponent. If he gets in trouble off the tee, you go conservative. If he does something good, you have to do something better or as well. The score is not important, just beating your opponent by one stroke will do. You can win with a bogie or lose with a birdie. It is a different game and not all players can adapt well to it. It is fun to watch, but can be hell to play. It is fun to watch ,except for the rain. ESPN announcers suggest the matches will not be completed by Monday and every point has become more important. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ryder-cup-2010-discussion/555519.md?page=2)