40th Ryder Cup

Friday-Sunday at Gleneagles in Scotland, which is great if you're a person who doesn't sleep very much; the first match goes at 2:35 a.m. (Eastern).

Each side has four players in the top 10 of the world rankings. Vegas has Europe as nearly a 2-to-1 favorite (-190) and there's no question Europe has more players who are playing better of late. Players on this year's US team have one Tour win since May vs. six for Europe.

It's been more than 20 years (1993) since the U.S. has won away from home. Weather forecast is exactly what you'd expect in Scotland at this time of year: temps in the 50s and some rain every day.

 

I think the U.S. is a value bet at that price. Last two Cups have been one-point affairs, meaning two or three putts decided the issue. Also, course is much more like an American course than British one. Ought to be, since Nicklaus designed it.

 

Reno sucks ass for sports betting. The last time I was there during an NFL weekend, a straight bet was -125 instead of -110.

 

I am not sure how the US can win even on a Nicklaus design. Maybe a Rory-McDowell fistfight will divide the Euros.

 

Seems as if McGinley is going to partner McIlroy with Kaymer, Dubuisson with McDowell, Garcia with Stenson and Rose with Poulter to open the ball Friday morning.
For all the chatter, it doesn't sound as if Watson is going to change many surviving partnerships, as Mickelson and Bradley and Watson and Simpson have practiced together each morning so far.

 

If it was anyone other than Tom Watson as captain, I would say the USA has little chance. But the captain means more than people think. I think you'll get the USA's best out there and I think Watson will know how to match these players up. And you know they're going to play hard for him. Whether that's enough, I don't know.

From what I hear, the course is set up easy. Very soft greens. I fear McIlroy may be the hot guy this week with those kinds of conditions. I was hoping for faster conditions. I feel that would have benefited the US guys more. Soft greens tend to help Rory and Sergio more, guys who are good at aiming at pins.

 

Any course in Scotland at this time of year is liable to be wet and soft.

 

Phil:

"Well, not only are we able to play together, we also don't litigate against each other, and that's a real plus, I feel, heading into this week," Mickelson quipped.

I like it.

 

They can only hope to contain the Great Sergio Garcia.