Ryder Cup Predictions 2014: Predictions for Upcoming Match Play Competitions
The 40th iteration of the Ryder Cup seems set to unfold in the same manner as six of the past seven have—with the Europeans claiming victory.
Team USA captain Tom Watson has to lean on a number of rookies for production at the Gleneagles Hotel and at the same time hope that a slumping Phil Mickelson can somehow pull the best performance of the year out of his hat.
Meanwhile, five Americans ranked in the world top 25—Billy Horschel, Tiger Woods, Dustin Johnson, Chris Kirk and Steve Stricker—will watch from home.
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The best-of-18 format, which encompasses eight matches over the course of the first two days in team capacity before splitting off into singles play on the final day, seems to also favor the Europeans.
But again, wild upsets—such as the 1999 classic—are certainly within the realm of possibility. Here is a stab as to how things will unfold this time around.
Roster Breakdown
| Player | Age | Ryder Cup Record | Appearances ** |
| Rickie Fowler | 25 | 0-1-2 | 2 |
| Jim Furyk | 44 | 9-17-4 | 9 |
| Zach Johnson | 38 | 6-4-1 | 4 |
| Matt Kuchar | 36 | 3-2-2 | 3 |
| Phil Mickelson | 44 | 14-18-6 | 10 |
| Patrick Reed | 24 | 0-0-0 | 1 |
| Jordan Spieth | 21 | 0-0-0 | 1 |
| Jimmy Walker | 35 | 0-0-0 | 1 |
| Bubba Watson | 35 | 3-5-0 | 3 |
| Keegan Bradley* | 28 | 3-1-0 | 2 |
| Hunter Mahan* | 32 | 3-2-3 | 3 |
| Webb Simpson* | 29 | 2-2-0 | 2 |
| Player | Age | Ryder Cup Record | Appearances ** |
| Thomas Bjorn | 43 | 3-2-1 | 3 |
| Jamie Donaldson | 38 | 0-0-0 | 1 |
| Victor Dubuisson | 24 | 0-0-0 | 1 |
| Sergio Garcia | 34 | 16-8-4 | 7 |
| Martin Kaymer | 29 | 3-2-0 | 3 |
| Graeme McDowell | 35 | 5-5-2 | 4 |
| Rory McIlroy | 25 | 4-3-2 | 3 |
| Justin Rose | 34 | 6-3-0 | 3 |
| Henrik Stenson | 38 | 2-3-2 | 3 |
| Stephen Gallacher* | 40 | 0-0-0 | 1 |
| Ian Poulter* | 38 | 12-3-0 | 5 |
| Lee Westwood* | 41 | 18-13-6 | 9 |
*Captain's selection.
**Appearances include 2014.
Match Play Predictions
Day 1: Team Europe Takes a Slight Lead
Foursomes do much to protect the seemingly inferior Team USA roster, as the participants will rotate shots in what is a typical game structure, with the exception being that a hole is halved should a tie occur.
This means a player such as Jim Furyk, who has played with alarming consistency this season—he has not missed a cut in 29 events—can help to complement others such as Mickelson who have been nothing short of disappointing over the course of that same span.
It also means that someone such as Matt Kuchar can benefit from some of Team USA's longest hitters. After a nice setup, Kuchar, who ranks No. 5 overall in strokes gained putting average at 1.573, will take care of business to keep his side in it.
Even then, though, consistency is key. In that regard, as the table above clearly shows, Team Europe has a major advantage, both at the Ryder Cup and in recent history. Pairings that include names such as Sergio Garcia, world No. 1 Rory McIlroy and Lee Westwood, among others, mean the home side will be able to stay in the lead by day's end.
Nobody should be silly enough to doubt that the pairing of Mickelson and Keegan Bradley, which produced three wins in 2012, will produce points on the day, but they won't generate enough to elevate a younger roster with less experience.
Day 2: Team USA Embraces the Underdog Role
What better role for Team USA than that of the underdog?
The motivation is already about getting a win on foreign soil. Now down on Day 2 before the all-important singles showdown of the final day? Consider the panic button pressed—but in a good way.
Ponder someone such as Rickie Fowler, who's been double slighted in a way after missing the team in 2012 and is now a part of one that pretty much nobody bats an eye at. Fowler is right up there with Rory McIlroy and others in terms of consistency after he finished in the top five at all four majors this year and in the top 10 in six of his last seven.
That impressive majors tally? It makes him only the third man in history to finish in the top five at all four, the other two being Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus.
Fowler has a habit of saving his best for last or when he needs it most, as one can glean from his final-round scoring average of 69.29, good for No. 8 overall.
As The Forecaddie of Golfweek.com reveals, Fowler has himself quite a reputation when it comes to foursomes victories, too:
"Fowler’s 3-1 record at Northern Ireland’s Royal County Down in 2007 included a foursomes victory alongside Horschel over a pair of Northern Irishmen: Jonathan Caldwell and some 18-year-old named Rory McIlroy. Just a mention of that match intensifies Rickie’s “Cup fever.”
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Fowler seems to be the spark. Other players such as rookies Patrick Reed and Jordan Spieth are young and full of potential, but Fowler has the proven consistency this year that suggests it can all come together.
At the very least, do not expect Team USA to be mathematically eliminated by the end of Day 2.
Day 3: Team Europe Pulls Away for Good
The final day is where it all falls apart for Team USA.
Westwood has a borderline silly amount of experience at the event and the proven consistency to back up his selection. Not only is he nearly unbeatable in singles play, but he is essentially a second captain who can help guide the younger players on the roster.
“I have a lot more Ryder Cup experience than a lot of captains,” Westwood told reporters last month after securing a berth on his ninth European roster, per Jeff Shain of The New York Times. “So if Paul wants me to take the rookies to one side, explain to them what happens or play with them in practice rounds, I’m able to do that.”
The same essentially applies to Garcia, who tallied nine top-10 finishes in 15 events played on the season and has a proven track record at this event in particular. The man ranks No. 2 overall in strokes gained tee-to-green and strokes gained total for a reason, folks.
Then there is McIlroy, whose elite putting is a critical reason for his No. 1 rank and why no matter who Team USA throws out there, the Europeans have the advantage in singles play.
When players cannot mask each other in singles play, the better team generally pulls away. It may not be comfortable, but when push comes to shove, Team Europe is at home and proven on the grand stage.
Prediction: Europe wins, 15-13
All info courtesy of RyderCup.com unless otherwise specified. Stats via PGATour.com.
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