Ryder Cup 2014: 7 Bold Predictions Ahead of Gleneagles
The 2014 Ryder Cup kicks off Friday at the Centenary Course at Gleneagles Hotel. Predictions and prognostications are flying about the interwebz as we close in on the opening match.
Depending on who you listen to, Tom Watson is either going to look like a hero or a fool. Likewise, Paul McGinley. Phil Mickelson is either brilliant or stupid for making remarks about the Rory McIlroy/Graeme McDowell legal situation. The U.S. side is destined for a beat-down or will narrowly win the Cup in enemy territory.
Which of these predictions hold water and what else can we add to the mix with the showdown at Gleneagles about to begin?
The Young Guns Will Step Up
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Excluding Rory McIlroy, four players in this year's Ryder Cup competition are 25 or younger:
- Jordan Spieth: 21
- Rickie Fowler: 25
- Patrick Reed: 24
- Victor Dubuisson: 24
Here's how the golfers above finished in their last starts:
- Spieth: T27 (Tour Championship)
- Fowler: Eighth (Tour Championship)
- Reed: T19 (Tour Championship)
- Dubuisson: T29 (Omega European Masters)
Of the group above, only Fowler has competed in the Ryder Cup before, posting an 0-1-2 mark in 2012. However, as none has been totally off his game and all have spent a lot of time on the main stage over the past two seasons, look for the group to play well at Gleneagles.
Mickelson-Bradley Duo Will Shine
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"He brings out some of my best golf," Phil Mickelson said recently regarding his Ryder Cup partnership with Keegan Bradley (per Sporting News).
The duo was undefeated at Medinah, toppling Luke Donald and Sergio Garcia in foursomes, Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell in fourballs and Lee Westwood and Luke Donald in foursomes.
Formidable.
While both golfers were playing better prior to the last Ryder Cup (neither made it to the Tour Championship this year), both have had time to rest and hone their swings prior to heading to Scotland.
And both golfers buy in to the Ryder Cup and are fired up to compete together. Bradley tweeted earlier this week, "Everything about the Ryder Cup is awesome."
Nobody Will Topple Poulter
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Ian Poulter didn't make it to the Tour Championship this year, as he was eliminated from the playoffs after the Deutsche Bank Championship. Still, this shouldn't be taken as an indication that he's not heading to Gleneagles with his game in shape.
Poulter is, in short, obsessed with the Ryder Cup. It's clearly the most important golf event to him. And if what he's been posting on social media is any indication, he's been practicing diligently at home for weeks leading up to the competition.
His career record at the Ryder Cup is a ridiculous 12-3-0. He's never been defeated in singles play. With his overflowing passion and a unique ability to get inside opponents' heads, Poulter will continue his winning ways at Gleneagles.
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Bubba Watson Will Get Rattled, Say Something Regrettable
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Bubba Watson has a history of regrettable comments and head-scratching decisions, such as skipping the long-drive contest at the PGA Championship and complaining about the rain at the tournament. More recently, he whined about the location of a grandstand.
In short, Watson is easily bothered and often voices his frustration when he shouldn't. This is something European fans must be well aware of, and one imagines they'll take every opportunity to badger the American's leading points earner.
And when they inevitably do and Watson is inevitably asked about it a press conference, don't expect him to bite his tongue.
Whichever Team Wins Will Overload Social Media
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This is a safe bet. Social media participation by players on tour has exploded in the past two years. Digital outlets, too, are turning more toward social media to keep readers engaged—consider the recent trends at Golf Digest and PGATour.com. Both sites have gotten face-lifts to appeal to millennials and their social media accounts reflect that change.
Just two years ago at Medinah, many of the top golfers weren't active on social media and the selfie craze had yet to sweep the nation. You couldn't post videos to Instagram, etc. If what we've seen in the lead-up to the competition is any indication, there will be tweets, Vines and Instagrams aplenty from Gleneagles.
Rory McIlroy Will Not Lead the European Team
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At 4-3-2, Rory McIlroy's Ryder Cup record isn't overwhelmingly good.
When asked whether he has ambitions of leading the team into battle, McIlroy responded (per an ASAP sports transcript):
"That's completely Paul's decision. You know, I have a job to do which is to go out and win points for Europe, and I don't care what number I play or who I play with. I've got a responsibility just to put points on the board, and I'm 1/12th of a team unit here. I'm going to play the same role as everyone else just to try and get points on the board. So I wouldn't say it wouldn't be a thrill, of course, leading the team out would be a huge buzz and a great thrill. But no matter where I play, I've still got the same objective, which is just to win my match.
"
With his comments, McIlroy is toeing the party line and trying to rock the boat, but you'd like to see him offer to put the team on his back. Rather than introduce another mixed metaphor, let's just say that Rory hasn't been historically great in the Ryder Cup or in match play. Even with all his progress this year, that trend won't change at Gleneagles.
Team USA Will Win the Cup
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If you head on over to the sportsbook of your choice, the odds of a U.S. victory aren't very good. Most books give the Euros a 60 percent or better chance of retaining the Cup.
Why will the underdog U.S. team win?
Here's a list of reasons:
- The memory of Medinah spurring them on
- A superior captain
- No Tiger Woods to cater to
- A deeper team
- Poulter, Westwood, hearts of the European team have stunk this year
- Patrick Reed and Jimmy Walker will outperform Stephen Gallacher and Jamie Donaldson
- Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley will set the tone for the U.S. team
Ultimately, as stated in the first bullet point, this Ryder Cup will be a story of redemption for the United States side. A leave-it-all-on-the-course outpouring of raw emotion, and a collective will-to-win, will propel them to victory.
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