Ryder Cup - So How Did We Do?
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Updated: Sun 9/21/2008 4:08 pm
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What an exciting final day to cap off an exciting weekend of golf at the Ryder Cup. Congratulations to the PGA of America, Paul Azinger and the 12 American players who recaptured the Ryder Cup for the ole Red, White and Blue.
So how did we do predicting the wins and losses?
Match #1 - Anthony Kim vs. Sergio Garcia Prediction - Sergio Garcia
Wrong and in a convincing way. How about Anthony Kim? He was the perfect person for Captain Azinger to throw out in the lead off position and Kim did everything Zinger needed him to do. He rallied the crowd, hit some spectacular shots and even stood up to Garcia and the European rules official during an akward situation involving a possible drop / relief from a concrete staircase.
Match #2 - Hunter Mahan vs. Paul Casey Prediction - Hunter Mahan
Wrong, but only because Hunter Mahan got too wrapped up in the experience after draining a bomb on #17 to get a 1-up lead with only one hole to play. Zinger did his best to settle down the Ryder Cup rookie but it was just too much to ask given the circumstances. Still a good week for Mahan.
Match #3 - Justin Leonard vs. Robert Karlsson Prediction - Robert Karlsson
Correct. Karlsson was very impressive this week. He is poised for bigger and better, I would be surprised to see Karlsson win a major soon. Leonard finally got a win during this year's Ryder Cup, put today wasn't going to add to his win tally - Karlsson was just too much.
Match #4 - Phil Mickelson vs. Justin Rose Prediction - Phil Mickelson
Wrong. What was I thinking? Given Mickelson's Ryder Cup record we were asking too much to expect him to continue with another win. But seriously, it did take great play from Justin Rose to defeat the world's #2 ranked player in singles today. Fortunately it didn't matter, because it would have been hard to accept had the American's lost if the top player in the world participating in the event didn't deliver on Sunday.
Match #5 - Kenny Perry vs. Henrik Stenson Prediction - Kenny Perry
Correct. Perry battled a sore shoulder during the round, but nothing as going to stop this guy today. The entire Commonwealth was behind him and this was his defining moment. Congratulations to Kenny, as it meant so much the entire year and it looked to be everything he imagined it would be and more.
Match #6 - Boo Weekley vs. Oliver Wilson Prediction - Boo Weekley
Correct. Boo! Boo! Boo! As a Ryder Cup rookie, Boo seemed to be in total control over the situation and definately his golf ball. Known as one of the top ball strikers on tour, Weekley was one of the most consistent players all weekend and was just too much to handle for the European rookie.
Match #7 - J.B. Holmes vs. Soren Hansen Prediction - Halve
Wrong. Had Furyk made a 6 ft putt on the 16th hole to close out his match, the Kentucky native would have made the putt to clinch the Ryder Cup for the Americans. J.B. Holmes stepped up big time against a gritty, solid player in Soren Hansen. I came away from this Ryder Cup very impressed with the game of Soren Hansen, but today was a day for the Big Blue - Kentucky Blue and J.B. Holmes.
Match #8 - Jim Furyk vs. Miguel Angel Jimenez Prediction - Halve
Wrong. Furyk continued is stellar play in singles and clinched the cup for the Americans. He's battled a shaky putter for the last year and a half, but he seemed to return to the Furyk of old this weekend and once again came up big on Sunday.
Match #9 - Stewart Cink vs. Graeme McDowell Prediction - Graeme McDowell
Correct. Here's another European player I came away very impressed with. McDowell has been a solid player all year on the European Tour and he showed a toughness that should prove him well in future major championships.
Match #10 - Steve Stricker vs. Ian Poulter Prediction - Halve
Wrong. Poulter was a stud all weekend. He wanted so desperately to prove his Captain correct for making him a Captain's Selection. He did Faldo well.
Match #11 - Ben Curtis vs. Lee Westwood Prediction - Westwood
Wrong. It was a mute point, as the matches had already been clinched. But to give Curtis credit, he played great golf on the front nine and then turned the momentum after 12 holes when it looked as if the match could mean something.
Match #12 - Chad Campbell vs. Padraig Harrington Prediction - Harrington
Wrong. Again, the matches were over. Harrington didn't play his best this weekend and was noticeably tired from a very long season. Harrington didn't deliver this weekend and as a result the American's are hoisting the Ryder Cup.
