Ryder Cup 2014: Match Play Dates, Format, TV Coverage and Projected Standings
Team Europe plays host as a heavy favorite to the USA at Gleneagles in Scotland for the 2014 Ryder Cup beginning on Friday.
The world's top-ranked player in Rory McIlroy leads a loaded European lineup that features major champions and players with plenty of success in this international showcase.
Veteran Phil Mickelson and young star Rickie Fowler will try to rally the underdog Americans. That duo could get some revenge on McIlroy, who beat out the two U.S. natives to win the PGA Championship in August.
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That is just one of the subtle storylines to keep an eye on as the Ryder Cup unfolds. With so many elite golfers teeing it up, national pride and team camaraderie will be more important than anything else and will go a long way in determining which side hoists the trophy.
Here is a look at when and where to catch all the action, the scheduled formats for each session and a general preview as to how the event will play out.
Note: Statistics and information are courtesy of RyderCup.com and PGATour.com unless otherwise indicated.
| 4 Fourball matches (morning) | 2:35 a.m. (7:35 a.m.) | Golf Channel |
| 4 Foursome matches (afternoon) | 8:15 a.m. (1:15 p.m.) | Golf Channel |
| 4 Fourball matches (morning) | 3 a.m. (8 a.m.) | NBC |
| 4 Foursome matches (afternoon) | 8:15 a.m. (1:15 p.m.) | NBC |
| 12 Singles matches | Beginning 6:36 a.m. (11:36 a.m.); 12-minute intervals thereafter | NBC |
Preview and Projected Standings
With the home fans behind them and a load of talent at their disposal, the Europeans are bound to get off to a fast start.
Every par-five is reachable in two for the bigger hitters especially, so that's something McIlroy, Sergio Garcia, Henrik Stenson and the numerous other strong drivers Europe has will take advantage of.
The fourball, alternate-shot format gives the USA an edge to a degree, because its team will rely more on precision than power. Placing the ball in proper places for their teams to thrive will help keep them close.
However, when the foursomes go out in the afternoon on the first day, Europe is going to open up a big lead playing best ball. That will put the Americans in an early hole, trailing by three points entering Saturday's team matchups.
McIlroy is eager to take on the leadership role and will take any challengers, per Golf.com's Coleman McDowell:
"Whoever they want to send out against me, it's no problem to me. I want to lead from the front and by example, and I'm confident enough in the way I am playing right now to do that.
[...] I know I will have a target on my back but I love that and I am going to play up to it as much as I can. It's a massive compliment whenever the opposition are talking about you. I know what a huge fillip it would be for them if I lose, but it is up to me to make sure it doesn’t happen. I’m a double major champion this year, and its important that I embrace that and step up and take on the responsibility.
"
Although Jim Furyk is just 9-17-4 in his Ryder Cup career, he is coming off a PGA Tour season in which he played so well tee-to-green, ranking fourth in driving accuracy and 12th in greens in regulation.
Furyk's experience (this is his ninth Ryder Cup) will help a lot, as will the similar, grinding style of play his teammates Matt Kuchar and Zach Johnson deploy.
Rickie Fowler is the most promising young member of the U.S. side, so he, along with Mickelson and Keegan Bradley, will help the visitors rally and win the second day to make it close entering Sunday singles.
In fact, between Fowler's lone PGA Tour win, Mickelson's struggles (one stateside top 10 this season) and the amount of time it's been since Furyk has claimed victory, there is plenty for the USA's marquee stars to play for.
Check out this stat from Golf Channel's Justin Ray:
The last day is when the true separation will begin to manifest itself, though.
Europe has too much firepower on its roster for the USA to hang tough. Neither Mickelson nor Bradley has played well for much of the season. Fowler and Furyk aren't enough to help the other struggling U.S. players overcome any Sunday deficit.
This prediction of Europe winning for the third consecutive time has more to do with poor form from the Americans than it does the Europeans' might.
The Ryder Cup often levels the playing field with its extraordinary spectacle and the immense stakes on the line, since it doesn't come around but once every other year. In this instance, there is just too much working against the U.S. from both sides to pull off the massive road upset.
| 1 | 5.5 | 2.5 |
| 2 | 3.5 | 4.5 |
| 3 | 7 | 5 |
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