The Ryder Cup 2010: A Look Ahead to Celtic Manor

Now, I realise that it’s still over eight months away.  But it’s a wet and gloomy day here in Ireland, so I thought I would take this opportunity to look ahead to three potentially even wetter, and gloomier, days in the south of Wales this September.

I’m sure I have not done the Welsh tourist board any favours in my stereotyping of their climate.  I will, however, stress that my bleak outlook only extends to the weather, and certainly not the 2010 Ryder Cup itself.  It promises to be a fantastic occasion, and undoubtedly one the highlights of the sporting calendar.

In the most recent matches, in Valhalla, I think the ferocity of the Ryder Cup was taken to new heights.  The American team had been defeated on the previous three staging's, and were in no mood to continue their losing streak.  Couple that with the phenomenal support they received from the crowd, and in retrospect, it was no surprise they reversed their fortunes.

It seemed to me the American team, and possibly America itself, had been captured by Ryder Cup fever, and embraced it like the Europeans have. 

Even though I am from Ireland, I actually think the result in Kentucky was a positive one for the Ryder Cup.  It has renewed, if a renewal be needed, the fierce rivalry between the two sides, and has created a great impetus heading towards Celtic Manor.

Before the start of the ‘Ryder Cup Year’, Colin Montgomerie announced that he had written down the names of the twelve players that he would like in his team.  I am not nearly as important as Europe’s ‘Mr Ryder Cup’ in the world of golf (even though I have won as many Majors as him...harsh?), but in this article, I’m going to lay out my own predictions for the two teams.

EUROPE

Automatic Qualification

Padraig Harrington

Sergio Garcia

Lee Westwood

Rory McIlroy

Ian Poulter

Martin Kaymer

Henrik Stenson

Ross Fisher

Luke Donald

Wild Cards

Darren Clarke

Paul Casey

Graeme McDowell

AMERICA

Automatic Qualification

Phil Mickelson

Steve Stricker

Lucas Glover

Jim Furyk

Zach Johnson

Nick Watney

Sean O' Hair

Stewart Cink

Wild Cards

Hunter Mahan

Anthony Kim

Kenny Perry

Tiger Woods

Now that I have put forward my predictions for the lineup of the protagonists in this intriguing drama, I might as well conclude with a prediction for the outcome. 

The European side, or at least the potential one, is particularly strong.  As it stands at the moment, nine of the 12 players find themselves ranked inside the World's Top 20.  The three rookies on the team, McIlroy, Kaymer, and Fisher, have proved already that they have the game to mix it with the very best in the business.  

The main reason why Europe were defeated last time out was because of the poor performances of their traditional talismen.  Between them, Harrington, Garcia, and Westwood, only managed two and a half points.  This was an alarming disappointment when compared with their previous Ryder Cup hauls.

I cannot foresee a repeat of this performance and believe their fortunes will play a key role in the ultimate destination of the Samuel Ryder trophy.

Before I'm accused of being biased, which to be fair I am, I do think it will be a close affair.  America proved in the last Ryder Cup what they are capable of.  

However, I do not feel that their team has improved since then. Certainly, I have been disappointed with the progression of the likes of Mahan, Kim, and Weekley.  After such promising debuts in the bi-annual event, I don't feel like they have brought their games to the next level.

In contrast, the European Team will be boosted by their three debutants, and with the crowd behind them, I think they can avenge the defeat of Valhalla.

I'm also guessing that it will help their chances not having a complete moron for a captain.

And I don't even care if that sounds harsh.