Ryder Cup Pairings: Breaking Down the U.S. Team's Friday Chances
The first of the 2010 Ryder Cup pairings were released Thursday morning by captains Colin Montgomerie and Corey Pavin.
The pairings will be used for the Friday morning fourball matches. In the fourball setup, all four players play their own ball throughout the hole, and the player who has the lowest score wins the hole for his team.
We've got the complete list of Friday's pairings, as well as a breakdown of each team, each matchup, and a prediction of who will win. Let's take a look.
U.S. Pairing 1: Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson
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Why It's a Good Pairing
Lefty and DJ have built quite the rapport in recent months, a huge positive for any pairing. They're both big hitters off the tee, and Johnson has been absolutely on fire over the past few months. These guys are the two best golfers the U.S can throw out there right now.
Why It's Not
Neither of these guys have a history of being the most accurate golfers in the world. Johnson's run hot and cold, and Mickelson has been battling arthritis for the past few months, which he claims to have under control now.
Euro Pairing 1: Martin Kaymer and Lee Westwood
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Why It's a Good Pairing
These two have all the makings of a juggernaut pair, if things break the right way. Kaymer's easily the hottest golfer in the world right now, and he seems to improve with every contest he plays in. He's got decent power, and he hasn't been making too many mistakes recently. Westwood took some significant time off to recoup from a calf injury, but if the indications are correct, the world's third-best player doesn't have much rust.
Why It's Not
If Westwood's not back up to snuff, I don't know if Kaymer can carry this team to a win.
Match 1 Roundup
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Why the U.S. Will Win
Lefty and DJ can bomb the ball down near the green, which puts pressure on the Euros to keep up. They're both excellent putters and scramblers, and they're both somewhat healthy. If their chemistry pays off, Westwood and Kaymer are in trouble.
Why Europe Will Win
If reports are to be believed, Westwood is playing as well as he ever has, and he's more consistent than Mickelson. Kaymer's been on fire recently, and seems to be getting better each week. If the Euros are on, they ought to win this pairing.
The Verdict
Westwood and Kaymer take round 1, but not without a fight. Europe leads 1-0.
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U.S Pairing 2: Stuart Cink and Matt Kuchar
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Why It's a Good Pairing
Kuchar's a rookie to the Ryder Cup, while Cink's the savvy veteran presence. Both live in Atlanta and have a good relationship. Kuchar's been incredibly consistent, while Cink seems to have rounded into shape in the last month or so. If Kuchar can keep it up, this team could be dangerous.
Why It's Not
Kuchar's been good, but not great all season. Cink struggled with his form for a significant chunk of 2010, and could revert back to his old habits. In terms of upside, it's hard to find much with these guys. They're solid, consistent players, but not the type to go supernova for a weekend.
Euro Pairing 2: Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell
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Why It's a Good Pairing
Another potential juggernaut for the Europeans, McDowell and McIlroy are a pair of Northern Irish golfers who have a fantastic relationship. McDowell is the reigning U.S. Open champ, while the 21-year-old McIlroy is swiftly becoming the next big thing in golf. McIlroy runs a bit hot and cold, but McDowell should prove the steadying influence in this pair. In terms of talent, these two have it coming out their ears.
Why It's Not
If McDowell struggles, and McIlroy's running a little cold, this pair could dig themselves quite the hole.
Match 2 Roundup
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Why The Euros Will Win
McDowell and McIlroy far outclass Cink and Kuchar in terms of performance and upside. Even on their worst days, they have a shot against both of these players.
Why The Americans Will Win
Cink's been to this rodeo before, and could serve to settle Kuchar's nerves for the round of his life. Plus, Stuart's not such a bad player himself.
The Verdict
There's just too much talent there to pick against the Irishmen here. 2-0 Europeans.
U.S. Pairing 3: Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker
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Why It's a Good Pairing
Stricker is the first player ever to mesh with Woods in a competition like this. Last season, Woods and Stricker went 5-0 in the President's Cup. Why can't they duplicate that feat here? Woods is still the most talented golfer in the world, and with all the work he's been putting in, it's possible he's put it all together. Stricker, on the other hand, has a picture perfect swing and is renowned for his putter. Combined, they should be a powerhouse.
Why It's Not
Woods might still be the wildly inconsistent hitter we've seen this season, erratic with the driver and the putter.
Euro Pairing 3: Ian Poulter and Ross Fisher
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Why It's a Good Pairing
Poulter proved to be a force at the 2008 Cup, going 4-1 in the tournament. He's an aggressive player; a high-risk, high-reward type guy, which is perfect for the tournament. Poulter's fire is contagious, and the rookie Fisher could find his game with him as his partner. Fisher's just as aggressive, and this team could go the low round of the day.
Why It's not
Fisher flopped in 2010, struggling to recapture his form from the previous year. With the style of play these guys use, it's boom or bust. There's no calming influence in this pair, just big hits and raw emotion.
Match 3 Roundup
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Why The U.S. Will Win
If Tiger's practice has paid off, he'll be tough to beat. Even if he's as streaky as he has been the past few months, Stricker's consistency will level him out. They're the perfect pair for international play, and they'll be tough to beat. With the Euros' aggressive style, there's a good chance that they'll crash and burn, and the Americans can steal the points.
Why The Euros Will Win
Poulter and Fisher have the capability to set this course on fire. If they get rolling, it will be impossible for anyone to catch up. Woods isn't Woods yet, which leaves the door open for these two to pull the upset.
The Verdict
Stricker and Woods are too good together, even if both Euros play to their potential. Europeans lead 2-1.
U.S. Pairing 4: Bubba Watson and Jeff Overton
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Why It's a Good Pairing
Both Watson and Overton are rookies, and are too young to know that the U.S. hasn't beaten the Euros in Europe since 1993. They hit the ball a mile, and Overton has been on fire in 2010, despite not winning a tournament. They're easily the wild card pairing of the morning.
Why It's Not
You need experience on every single Ryder Cup pairing. These guys have never experienced a Cup period, much less in Europe. Despite his strong play, Overton's never won a tournament, and Bubba Watson finished behind Martin Kaymer at the PGA Championship. These guys could go big, but they could be the reason the Americans go home.
Euro Pairing 4: Luke Donald and Padraig Harrington
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Why It's a Good Pairing
Donald is 5-1-1 in Ryder Cup play, while Harrington has seven wins. They're both veterans on both sides of the pond, who know what to expect and how to win. Donald's play the last month has been exceptional. Both players are long hitters and could intimidate the Americans if they hit first.
Why It's Not
Harrington was the most roundly criticized selection of any player on either team. He's struggled mightily in 2010, missing five cuts and making just three top 10's. Donald nearly missed the cut for the automatic qualifiers, until he was saved by his play the last two months of the year. These guys could potentially play the stink bomb of the day.
Match 4 Roundup
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Why The Euros Will Win
Veteran presences always seem to make the difference at the Ryder Cup, and these guys are veterans. They have the potential to go extremely low, and if they get off to a fast start, the rookie Americans could get left in the dust.
Why The Americans Will Win
These two also have the chance to go low, with their upside. They also don't know that they're not supposed to win in Europe, and could pull the shocker over the struggling veterans.
The Verdict
This will be the matchup of the morning, as I think the Americans keep it close. In the end though, look for experience to rule the day. Europe leads 3-1.
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