Ryder Cup 2014: Tee Times, Dates, TV Schedule and Live Stream Info
The most important player in the 2014 Ryder Cup, and the game of golf as it stands, is its best: European superstar Rory McIlroy.
Toward the beginning of his still-young career, having not played in the international competition before, McIlroy implied that it didn't mean much to him, even labeling it an "exhibition."
Now the four-time major champion is all in, and he'll need to be. After gleeful supporting roles in two previous Cup-winning squads as the up-and-coming wunderkind, this year is McIlroy's time to take the leadership reins.
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"I was world number one in 2012, but this is my third Ryder Cup and I'm not a rookie anymore. I've got more responsibility. There are still a few guys older than me but I'm somewhat of a leader and will try to set an example and lead from the front.
Hopefully captain [Paul] McGinley puts that trust in me and I can go and lead the team out and hopefully get a few points on the board for Europe.
"
McIlroy will spearhead Europe's charge in its bid for a third consecutive, triumphant exhibition in this very real, passion-infused battle with the USA. The hosting Europeans are favored heavily at Gleneagles in Scotland, but with that comes the pressure of heightened expectations.
Namely, that means to please the home fans and take care of business against what many view as an inferior adversary. There is a high probability that McIlroy will play the maximum four matches and be expected to come out on top in all of them.
But what truly makes the Ryder Cup special is the team dynamic, something often lost amid the individual glory golf rightly awards. The concoction of world-class golfers congregating in Scotland will make the 2014 Ryder Cup another epic showcase.
Here is a closer look at when and where to catch the biennial event, which will require stateside fans to wake up rather early to support the talent-laden, underdog U.S. squad.
When: Friday, September 26 through Sunday, September 28
Where: Gleneagles Hotel, PGA Centenary Course in Auchterarder, Perthshire, Scotland
Live Stream: Ryder Cup Live
| Morning Fourball (4 matches) | 2:35 a.m., 2:50 a.m., 3:05 a.m., 3:20 a.m. |
| Afternoon Foursomes (4 matches) | 8:15 a.m., 8:30a.m., 8:45a.m., 9 a.m. |
| Day 1 TV Coverage: Golf Channel | 2:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. |
| Morning Fourball (4 matches) | 2:35 a.m., 2:50 a.m., 3:05 a.m., 3:20 a.m. |
| Afternoon Foursomes (4 matches) | 8:15 a.m., 8:30a.m., 8:45a.m., 9 a.m. |
| *If playing Foursomes in the morning on either of the first two days, refer to Fourball afternoon times on the right | 7:15 a.m., 7:30 a.m., 7:45 a.m., 8 a.m. |
| Day 2 TV Coverage: NBC | 3 a.m. - 1 p.m. |
| Singles (12 matches) | Starts at 6:36; 12-minute intervals thereafter |
| Day 3 TV Coverage: NBC | 7 a.m. - 1 p.m. |
2014 Ryder Cup Preview and Projected Score
USA captain Tom Watson will have to be at his tactical best to match up with a loaded European team. All three of his at-large picks in Hunter Mahan, Webb Simpson and Keegan Bradley have had Ryder Cup success.
Even though they haven't played their best golf this year, that experience is something Watson evidently valued. The PGA of America made an astute observation in surveying the American side:
Team USA features a lot of gritty players such as Jim Furyk, Matt Kuchar and Zach Johnson, all of whom don't hit it far but are precise and can grind through the wringer of match play with anyone.
But Rickie Fowler, who finished in the top five in all four majors this year, has the combination of fashionable flair, maverick course management and par-breaker capability to give the USA its biggest spark.
Most of the analysis you'll see on Fowler concerns how he had "USA" carved into his hairdo. Just bear in mind that he's been playing some of the best golf in the world this side of McIlroy in recent months.
Golf Central noted how Phil Mickelson, the most experienced U.S. player in this event who tends to thrive playing with younger studs, is hoping to improve his all-time Ryder Cup resume:
Gleneagles' modest length won't accentuate Europe's overall length advantage as a longer course layout would. However, McIlroy and the other long-hitting teammates will have an edge with shorter clubs in their hands on approach shots.
Fourball matches are bound to show off Europe's better personnel. They have individuals who hit it further and can thus be more aggressive in attacking flags. With teammates to lean on in the event of a wayward shot, Europe will command the lead in that situation. The margin for error in that format is far slimmer for the USA.
Foursomes are where the Americans can make up some ground, utilizing their superior accuracy to keep the score close.
Paul Azinger, the USA captain the last time the Americans won the Cup in 2008, weighed in on how collectively formidable he believes the 2014 team is:
As much as this competition is about teams, though, it's hard to imagine Sunday's 12 singles matches not going Europe's way. Presuming the hosts can hang tough for the first two days and take even the slimmest of leads into Sunday, the Cup will remain in the same hands when the 2014 Ryder Cup concludes.
Considering the form FedEx Cup champion Billy Horschel showed and how well Chris Kirk played in the PGA Tour playoffs, perhaps second-guessing will transpire in the event the U.S. loses. Watson was faced with making decisions before the FedEx Cup was decided, so that may alter future plans for the announcement date of captain's picks.
All indications are that Europe will win by a substantial margin, whether the American wild-card choices have a strong showing overall or not.
Projected Score: Europe defeats the USA, 16-12
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