Ryder Cup Nuggets

Wales is playing host to this year’s home of golf’s version of March Madness: The Ryder Cup.

This is the 38th meeting between the United States and Europe, the Americans are the defending champions. The par-71 Celtic Manor Resort course was designed specifically to host the 2010 Ryder Cup, and features several risky holes to mentally challenge the best golfers in the world.

I don’t want to bore you with a golf article in the midst of football season. But the Ryder Cup can almost get as intense as a fourth and goal with the game on the line.

So I’ll sum up for you what you need to know about the golfers this weekend.

USA – The Americans haven’t won on foreign ground since 1993.

Captain Corey Pavin (50) – The 5’9'' little leprechaun will be in charge of choosing the correct pairings for an American victory. He won 15 times professionally on tour and has finished in the top five at every major.

Stewart Cink (37)- Cink excels at links-style golf. In the 2009 British Open, he bested Tom Watson’s fairytale effort in one of the more memorable majors ever played. Cink was a captain's pick and has played in four Ryder Cups. He will need to provide leadership for the young Americans.

Jim Furyk (40) – His ugly swing didn’t produce ugly results in 2010. Furyk won over 11 million dollars after he secured the points based Fed Ex Cup, an award for the PGA’s best overall golfer. Can Furyk’s successes this season override his poor Ryder Cup record?

Tiger Woods (34) – Tiger, Tiger, Tiger. I find it weird that we’ve had the website one month and this is the first time he’s been mentioned. Wood’s personal life is finally off the front page of every single media outlet. Tiger would’ve ideally liked to have his comeback during one of the majors. But at this point he’ll take anything. Tiger has historically been subpar in Ryder Cup play. Let’s see if he’s tweaked his driver and putter enough in the recent time off.

Bubba Watson (31) – The child-like lefty is making his first appearance and broke the news today that his father has only three months to live. Expect an emotional Watson to either be a spark plug or a downfall to team USA.

Other names to watch: Steve Stricker (plays well with Tiger), Hunter Mahan, and Dustin Johnson (longest hitter on tour).

Europe

Captain Colin Montgomerie (47) – Behind Tiger Woods, Montgomerie has to be one of the most hated golfers in America. He openly bashes American players and always looks like he’s holding in a fart. Seeing him choke puts a smile on my face. He’s never won an American major.

Lee Westwood (37) – Westy has been at the top of nearly every major leaderboard the past couple of years. He puts his big boy pants on when it’s time to golf and has 12 career victories. Westwood also has a 14-10-5 career record, winning the Ryder Cup four times in five appearances.

Rory McIlroy (21) – He’s won only twice professionally but even Tiger Woods has said eventually Rory will be the number one golfer in the world. McIlroy sent shockwaves to golf fans around the globe when he shot a 62 in the final round of his first PGA Tour victory. McIlroy is known to be a great match-play golfer, going 4-1 so far in his short career.

Padraig Harrington (39) – Captain Montgomerie took a bunch of heat for selecting his good friend Harrington over Paul Casey and Justin Rose; two younger Europeans who had performed well in 2010. The Irishman has won three majors since 2007 and his putter can catch fire.

Other names to watch: Graeme McDowell (won 2010 US Open), Luke Donald (has not lost a Ryder Cup), and Ross Fisher (just a hunch).

The US is 25-10-3 all time against the Europeans, but the Red, White, and Blue are desperate for a victory. Phil Mickelson was the only American to win a major on the PGA Tour. The European golfers invaded the country and took over. Now it’s time to take back our crown.

But, I think Europe will win a close battle. Phil Mickelson is going to choke on Sunday. SHOCKER!