Ryder Cup 2014: Schedule and Predictions for Team USA vs. Europe
The 2014 Ryder Cup begins this Friday at The Gleneagles Hotel in Perthshire, Scotland. The 40th edition of the competition is shaping up to be a great one with an abundance of star players in the field.
Team USA is typically not underdogs in sports, but in the world of golf they are. The Europeans come into the event as confident favorites after winning the last two cups.
Tom Watson leads the Americans into Europe leaning on players like Phil Mickelson, Jim Furyk and Zach Johnson. Youngsters Rickie Fowler and Jordan Spieth will be crucial as well.
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Team Europe is led by Paul McGinley and headlined by some of the best golfers in the world. Rory McIlroy along with Justin Rose, Sergio Garcia and Martin Kaymer should prove to be a difficult group to defeat.
Let’s examine the 2014 Ryder Cup and who will come out victorious.
The competition will take place over three days when team members will take part in various forms of match-play events. The cup concludes on Sunday with 12 singles matches. There are 28 total points available to be earned over the three days.
Here’s the official schedule of the 2014 Ryder Cup.
Thursday, September 25
Opening ceremony
Golf Channel, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET
Friday, September 26
Fourball and Foursomes
Golf Channel, 2:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET
Morning Start Times (Fourball)
Afternoon Start Times (Foursomes)
(start times are local)
Saturday, September 27
Fourball and Foursomes
NBC, 3 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET
Morning Start Times (Fourball)
Afternoon Start Times (Foursomes)
Sunday, September 28
Singles matches
NBC, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET
Singles Start Times
Predictions
This year’s Ryder Cup features some of the most noteworthy names in golf. The two sides are loaded with a quality mix of experienced and young talent.
The pick heading into the weekend has to be with Team Europe. It’s tough not to root for the Americans, however, when you really look at the rosters, it’s going to be extremely difficult for Team USA to come out on top.
Rory McIlroy is the best player in golf right now and he counts for more than you even think. At this point in his career, he’s becoming a version of the dominant Tiger Woods we once saw. He’s at the top of his game and has played well in clutch situations all season.
Two others who will be huge in Europe’s defense of the cup are Justin Rose and Sergio Garcia. Combined the two are 22-11-4 at the Ryder Cup.
After the marquee names, guys like Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter and Graeme McDowell will be key as well. They each have plenty of cup experience and are successful tour players. In big competitions like this, experience can go a long way.
In order to pull the upset, Team USA will need to exceed expectations.
As stated, the team’s veterans will be leaned on to set the tone, but the youngsters will fuel the potential winning result. Jimmy Walker, Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed are playing in their first cup, while Hunter Mahan, Webb Simpson, Keegan Bradley, Matt Kuchar and Fowler all have minimal cup rounds under their belts.
Like McIlroy, Fowler is the guy to watch for the Americans. He played extremely well down the stretch and was a consistent Top Five finisher in all of the majors.
The 2014 Ryder Cup should be a classic to watch, but the Europeans will take home the trophy again by a margin of 15.5-12.5.
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