Ryder Cup 2018

[Jazz18]

Garcia? Is he frickin kidding!!! I think Bjorn has been smoking too much Danish weed. Westwood's playing better than Garcia FFS!!!

https://www.rydercup.com/news-media/europe/thomas-bjorn-selects-casey-garcia-poulter-and-stenson-complete-team-europe

[benno_r]

Who d*** does Rafa have to suck to get a crack???

[3Puttpete]

Garcia? Is he frickin kidding!!! I think Bjorn has been smoking too much Danish weed. Westwood's playing better than Garcia FFS!!!

https://www.rydercup.com/news-media/europe/thomas-bjorn-selects-casey-garcia-poulter-and-stenson-complete-team-europe

Ryder cup form is good form

[BUSHY]

Who d*** does Rafa have to suck to get a crack???

Didn’t play that great last time.

[BUSHY]

Didn’t play that great last time.

I stand corrected.


“... Cabrera-Bello. Unbeaten in his Ryder Cup debut at Hazeltine two years ago...”

[petethepilot]

I would have gone with Pieters as well. He is a killer!
Best ever debut last RC.

[FuzzyJuzzy]

I would have gone with Pieters as well. He is a killer!Best ever debut last RC. How awesome is Pieters’ shaft snapping game?!?! That Belgium monster snaps shafts on his neck like they are wet noodles:).

[Minor_Threat]

Anyone know how to watch full coverage of this? Seems Foxtel are only showing a couple of hours..

[Jazz18]

Anyone know how to watch full coverage of this? Seems Foxtel are only showing a couple of hours..Check your guide again mate. Looks like they're showing all of it. Broadcast starts Friday 28th @ 4pm on channel 507.

[Minor_Threat]

Check your guide again mate. Looks like they're showing all of it. Broadcast starts Friday 28th @ 4pm on channel 507.I don't have Foxtel, but was thinking of getting it for this. When I spoke to Foxtel they said they were showing 'some' of it and not all.Have checked the guide with the Foxtel app and it shows 2hr segments only.

[Daves]

I just checked and set my recording for this. It is on Fox 507 and it looks to be complete coverage to me. Still some spots to go up on their guide, but they have holders for a "Golf Special". The 2 hour time slots look to be earlier in the week, prior to the start of the actual Cup on Friday 28th. Sat. and Sunday coverage is shown as running from 4pm to 5 am.

[Minor_Threat]

I just checked and set my recording for this. It is on Fox 507 and it looks to be complete coverage to me. Still some spots to go up on their guide, but they have holders for a "Golf Special". The 2 hour time slots look to be earlier in the week, prior to the start of the actual Cup on Friday 28th. Sat. and Sunday coverage is shown as running from 4pm to 5 am.OK thanks mate, might have to check with them again..

[hippo10]

Soooo, just booked my ticket for Thurs. Very excited.

[BUSHY]

Soooo, just booked my ticket for Thurs. Very excited.

You going to be there? That’s awesome.

[hippo10]

Yup. Just moved to Paris and thought tickets were sold out but apparently not.

[BUSHY]

Yup. Just moved to Paris and thought tickets were sold out but apparently not.

Man that’s awesome!! Plenty of photos please [emoji23]

[Courty]

Yup. Just moved to Paris and thought tickets were sold out but apparently not.

Wow, bit of an upgrade from Yeppoon!

[benno_r]

Wow, bit of an upgrade from Yeppoon!Presidents cup at Capricorn Resort got canned?

[BUSHY]

Good prep for the US team [emoji23]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180923/c4d91c6e6bd9dd3e623c1cc3b3330d93.png

[PeteyD]

Preseason means nothing ...

[Captain Nemo]

Preseason means nothing ...
Just like an Ozgolf Champs weekend...��

[mrbluu]

First day of Ryder cup, I'm getting very excited....Go Tiger!!!

[jwags]

4 PM cant come fast enough today. Its that one time every two years that i'm semi proud to be a American and don't fully hate Bubba. USA USA. I hope Woods continues the form he had last week and maybe Jordan can learn to use that flat stick again.

[WBennett]

4Balls announced

0710 Justin Rose and Jon Rahm v Brooks Koepka and Tony Finau
0725 Rory McIlroy and Thorbjorn Olesen v Dustin Johnson and Rickie Fowler
0740 Paul Casey and Tyrell Hatton v Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas
0755 Francesco Molinari and Tommy Fleetwood v Patrick Reed and Tiger Woods

Some cracking matches in there

[benno_r]

I hope JT has his carrying shoes on.

[BUSHY]

I hope JT has his carrying shoes on.

Casey Hatton are an interesting pair tho. Non-golf observers may say its an easy point to USA but I think the opposite.

Hatton is a birdie machine.

[BUSHY]

4Balls announced

0710 Justin Rose and Jon Rahm v Brooks Koepka and Tony Finau
0725 Rory McIlroy and Thorbjorn Olesen v Dustin Johnson and Rickie Fowler
0740 Paul Casey and Tyrell Hatton v Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas
0755 Francesco Molinari and Tommy Fleetwood v Patrick Reed and Tiger Woods

Some cracking matches in there





Was going to say Group 2 and 4 were the ones to watch but they’re all going to be interesting.

[Lucasto23]

This is going to be a cream feast of epic proportions!!!

[solarman]

Tiger and Reed
Tiger....you cheat at golf Patrick
Reed.....You cheat on wives Eldrick

[mrbluu]

This is going to be a cream feast of epic proportions!!!Sounds like Peppas in a SA bakery!!![emoji16][emoji16]

[Lucasto23]

Sounds like Peppas in a SA bakery!!![emoji16][emoji16]

[emoji97][emoji97][emoji97]

[benno_r]

Casey Hatton are an interesting pair tho. Non-golf observers may say its an easy point to USA but I think the opposite.

Hatton is a birdie machine.

And an angry little mofo. Hope he doesn't make the prep squad cry.

[3Puttpete]

Tiger and Reed
Tiger....you cheat at golf Patrick
Reed.....You cheat on wives Eldrick

I’m surprised Reed is in a 4 ball match considering how everybody in golf hates him so much.

[Lucasto23]

I’m surprised Reed is in a 4 ball match considering how everybody in golf hates him so much.

He’s with Tiger to balance out those vibes

[BayBum]

Koepka and Finau is a pretty lethal combo. Should be a great match if Rahm can keep his cool and perform.

[hacker]

0710 Justin Rose and Jon Rahm v Brooks Koepka and Tony Finau
0725 Rory McIlroy and Thorbjorn Olesen v Dustin Johnson and Rickie Fowler
0740 Paul Casey and Tyrell Hatton v Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas
0755 Francesco Molinari and Tommy Fleetwood v Patrick Reed and Tiger Woods

picks in bold, but all matches look good and golf is in the winner

[oldracer]

Great afternoon so far for the Euro’s after a what could have been morning

[Lucasto23]

They are on fire and the yanks cannot putt for a change

[wazamac]

Got to love how Fleetwood gave the "apparent" best putter in the world a lesson. :D

[Lucasto23]

How good wood a Fleetwood and Molinari baby be right now ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[timah!]

Tommy Fleetwood is a stud.

How good has Fankie Molinari become these past few seasons!

[Lucasto23]

Tommy Fleetwood is a stud.

How good has Fankie Molinari become these past few seasons!

Frankie is just a super honest grinder and getting his just desserts for a Ton of hard work

[wizard_of_oz]

Jeebus. Fatrick has been absolute dead weight with his pairing with Tiger. And the boy weighs a fair bit.

[PeteyD]

Franci is on fire.

[Daves]

The Yanks have to win 8 of 12 to retain the cup, so it should go down to the wire. Chances of Fatrick being in the deciding match would look to be high.

[Toxic]

https://twitter.com/RyderCupEurope/status/1046097183437656064?s=19

[wizard_of_oz]

The Yanks have to win 8 of 12 to retain the cup, so it should go down to the wire. Chances of Fatrick being in the deciding match would look to be high. 8 out of 12 is a big ask. I'm going complete opposite to your prediction, yanks will lose emphatically and Fatrick will be benched.

[wizard_of_oz]

https://twitter.com/RyderCupEurope/status/1046097183437656064?s=19Cringe.

[Daves]

8 out of 12 is a big ask. I'm going complete opposite to your prediction, yanks will lose emphatically and Fatrick will be benched.

The singles are already selected. Fatrick is in the 3rd last group out. And my selection wasn't for the Yanks to win.........

https://www.rydercup.com/scoring

[BUSHY]

I think it could easily be Tommy Fleetwood with the halving match. From there it’s a little more convoluted until maybe Molinari/Mickelson.

Rory v JT will probably prove pivotal for both sides. Not sure how much momentum translates across matches for each team but I’m not sure the US can play LGN as well as the EU team played Medinah.

Either way it’s sure to be awesome. What an awesome venue for this event.

[3Puttpete]

Do the teams pick matches or do they just name their 12 in order and whatever happens happens?

[Jazz18]

Do the teams pick matches or do they just name their 12 in order and whatever happens happens?I think each team just names their 12 in order and whatever happens happens.

[BUSHY]

Do the teams pick matches or do they just name their 12 in order and whatever happens happens?

There’s a bit of gamesmanship here with this. I watched a behind the scenes vid with Davis Love the other day and he explained that back at Medinah Jose Maria mentioned something about why they put their #1 out first. He was shocked the US didn’t put their #1 out first to protect their lead.

Davis went on to explain that Tiger has been chief strategist for the last 3 cups and they have been planning things along the line of...

“If we’re down after Y session the pairings will be X..”

“If we’re leading after Y session the pairings will be Z..”

He went into detail like if it’s wet it’ll be these guys or if it’s windy it’ll be those guys. They didn’t even have a team yet they were planning pairings for almost every eventuality. Even considering what the EU team would likely do depending on the scoreboard situation.

Was really interesting. I’ll look for a link, was on Golfing World on Fox on Friday before the first session.

[TheNuclearOne]

Be awful hard for the Americans to claw their way back on the tight driving track which plays much more into the Euro's strengths. Great choice.

[olddogmike]

There does not appear to be much conviction from either team.

[timah!]

There does not appear to be much conviction from either team.

Really? Are you watching the same thing I’ve been for the last two days?

[3Puttpete]

There’s a bit of gamesmanship here with this. I watched a behind the scenes vid with Davis Love the other day and he explained that back at Medinah Jose Maria mentioned something about why they put their #1 out first. He was shocked the US didn’t put their #1 out first to protect their lead.

Davis went on to explain that Tiger has been chief strategist for the last 3 cups and they have been planning things along the line of...

“If we’re down after Y session the pairings will be X..”

“If we’re leading after Y session the pairings will be Z..”

He went into detail like if it’s wet it’ll be these guys or if it’s windy it’ll be those guys. They didn’t even have a team yet they were planning pairings for almost every eventuality. Even considering what the EU team would likely do depending on the scoreboard situation.

Was really interesting. I’ll look for a link, was on Golfing World on Fox on Friday before the first session.

All they can do is pick their own pairs and the order of singles, they can’t pick their opponents like the uncivil war. That sucks a bit

[henno]

Cringe.

Perhaps, but it hands-down beats the USA! USA! USA! malarkey.

[hippo10]

Either way it’s sure to be awesome. What an awesome venue for this event. Yep. There were lots of spots where you could see two or three greens at once and the mounding does make for good vantage points.A bit of a pain to follow one particular group though, mainly because of the volume of spectators.

[BUSHY]

Yep. There were lots of spots where you could see two or three greens at once and the mounding does make for good vantage points.A bit of a pain to follow one particular group though, mainly because of the volume of spectators.

Maybe easier tonight in singles. All those people crammed around 4 groups for the first 2 days would be tough going.

[wizard_of_oz]

Really? Are you watching the same thing I’ve been for the last two days?That's what I was thinking. In fairness, while the Europeans are very fired up, maybe the Americans haven't had much to cheer about.

[Toxic]

Cringe. I loved it

[ruley]

The singles have started pretty awesome!

[BUSHY]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180930/10ef513744faeb32dd68a0b86918a539.jpg

[Jazz18]

TW goes 0 for 4. Lol!

[Jazz18]

And how good is Molinari! YES!!!

[Jazz18]

Garcia? Is he frickin kidding!!! I think Bjorn has been smoking too much Danish weed. Westwood's playing better than Garcia FFS!!!

https://www.rydercup.com/news-media/europe/thomas-bjorn-selects-casey-garcia-poulter-and-stenson-complete-team-europeNice OP idiot! You look like a right dickhead now hey!!! [emoji23][emoji23]

[wizard_of_oz]

Americans got an absolute arse whooping this Ryder Cup.

[henno]

TW goes 0 for 4. Lol!

I am all about Team Europe, but Reed has approximately 50% to do with that. What a dog of a partner to have for those first two matches.

[Jazz18]

I am all about Team Europe, but Reed has approximately 50% to do with that. What a dog of a partner to have for those first two matches.I'll give you 37.5%. He lost his match to Rahm, all on his own [emoji6]

Rory was lucky to win points. He was terrible for most of the time too. Can't believe he played all 5 matches to be honest.

[3Puttpete]

I am all about Team Europe, but Reed has approximately 50% to do with that. What a dog of a partner to have for those first two matches.

They played 32 holes. Tiger won 4, Reed won 2. They both (individually and collectively) lost 13.

Reed won the same number of holes as Fowler and Finau and one more than Thomas on Friday yet they all won their matches. If Tiger was good enough he’d have won his matches regardless of his partner.

Over his career he’s won less than half his matches with a partner, they can’t have all been dogs. Tiger doesn’t play well with others.

[Daves]

I watched it up to midnight. The Yanks had lifted in the middle of the session and looked a real threat of pulling off an upset. They started making ridiculous putts. I suppose that couldn't last. I look forward to watching the replay and see the Europeans overwhelm them.

To me the commentators picked the main difference pretty earlier on, the yanks just didn't seem to know the course nearly as well as the Europeans.

Add to that the difference in the Captain's picks results and it was only going one way.

[timah!]

To me the commentators picked the main difference pretty earlier on, the yanks just didn't seem to know the course nearly as well as the Europeans.


Justin Thomas was the only one to win decent points, but also the only one to make the trip over earlier in the year for the French open.
The Euros would have all played it regularly since that became a regular event.

The amount of bemoaning the course in the media is incredible.

[Ron Burgundy]

Justin Thomas was the only one to win decent points, but also the only one to make the trip over earlier in the year for the French open. The Euros would have all played it regularly since that became a regular event. The amount of bemoaning the course in the media is incredible.The combined count of times played LGN was something like 228 for Europe to 8 for the yanks. That’s a pretty decent home course advantage. Apparently the yanks reckon the course was too short and too narrow. Just perfect for say.... Molinari. Worked too.

[Daves]

The course was superb, I thought. As were the crowds. One of the best cups on both of those points alone.

[BUSHY]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181001/51c8091563c9b6043c14ebb3e4c93b28.png

[3Puttpete]

The combined count of times played LGN was something like 228 for Europe to 8 for the yanks. That’s a pretty decent home course advantage. Apparently the yanks reckon the course was too short and too narrow. Just perfect for say.... Molinari. Worked too.

I’m sure there are a number of ozgolfers who agree with them.

Take less club and hit it straight. It’s not a god given right to hit driver off the tee and reach par 5s in 2.

[WBennett]

A course requiring thought and finesse?

Isnt that what Clayton tries to achieve?

With that much water I would have shot 120

[Muscles]

I’m sure there are a number of ozgolfers who agree with them.

Take less club and hit it straight. It’s not a god given right to hit driver off the tee and reach par 5s in 2.

Just a ridiculous (and typically american) thing to say. Rewarding someone who can drive it straight and punishing bad shots is far more enjoyable to watch than driver wedge and see if they can nail the putt on every. single. damn. hole....

[BUSHY]

I thought David Leadbetter was better than that?

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181001/29f72de3a9b47fd790b97fde1749dcc6.png

[wizard_of_oz]

I thought David Leadbetter was better than that?https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181001/29f72de3a9b47fd790b97fde1749dcc6.pngWhat's wrong with the comment? It is better course defense than how they let the greens dry up and place flag positions at ridiculous locations.

[benno_r]

I thought David Leadbetter was better than that?

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181001/29f72de3a9b47fd790b97fde1749dcc6.png

Works for matchplay.

Sucks for stroke play.

[dazza99]

I think heart and passion had a lot to do with it.

You see how much it means to Poulter, Sergio, Rose, Rory, and now Fleetwood, Oleson, etc etc (Molli can't get fired up about anything :) )

But just watching DJ, Tiger, Phil and others. I know they weren't playing great, but they just didn't seem to want to fire up.
McIlroy wasn't playing great but you could see it meant a lot to him.

I personally like Patrick Reed and his attitude. It does mean something to him. He's passionate and was one of only a couple of US player to stand up in the singles. Like he did last time out v McIlroy.
And to blame him for Tiger losing pairings is way off the mark. Tiger loses with anyone. Reed won last time around with Speith.

Tiger and Phil now have about the 2 worst Ryder Cup records in history. That says a lot about 2 of the most dominant players of the last 25 years.

Couple that with the Euro elder statesman - Sergio - who now has the most Ryder Cup points in history.

I loved every minute of those 3 days. Great course, great atmosphere, terrific golf and a smacking for the USA. Doesn't get better :)

[henno]

And to blame him for Tiger losing pairings is way off the mark. Tiger loses with anyone. Reed won last time around with Speith.

Are people suggesting Reed is to blame for Tiger losing in the singles pairings? Tiger lost against Rahm all by himself. However during fourballs, Reed played like a busted arsehole. He won the 10th and got a half on the 14th on day one, and I didn't really contribute again until halving a hole on the 9th on Saturday morning, and that wasn't the result of his partner was playing 'too good' to get on the card either. The scorecard from Saturday morning speaks verses:

https://i.imgur.com/RQebm6W.png

[dazza99]

Are people suggesting Reed is to blame for Tiger losing in the singles pairings?

No, I meant Tiger in pairings/doubles (not singles). But a lot of American fans are blaming Reed for Tigers poor overall showing, particularly Tiger fanboi's.

Basically, USA just didn't show up. After going 3-1 up I expected USA to smash Europe, given their overall world rankings. But they just fell apart.
I know they had a bit of a fightback mid-afternoon last day. But even when they pulled it back to a 2 match deficit, a lot of the games in play were still going Europe's way. They needed to turn the tide in 4 or 5 games to get close, but they never did.

Reading a lot of comments that Tiger losing to Rahm was a big upset. What? World No8 beat World No13. No upset at all, but try saying that over in the States :)

[3Puttpete]

Basically, USA just didn't show up. After going 3-1 up I expected USA to smash Europe, given their overall world rankings. But they just fell apart.


It wasn’t their fault. After they lead 3-1 on the first session they had to play on a course which was shortened and tightened whereas the Europeans did not.

[Ron Burgundy]

I’ve really enjoyed all the butthurt yanks commenting on social media. There’s generally been 3 categories.
1. Tiger fans angrily defending him saying stuff like “he was tired”. the old tiger would have kicked their arse (*narrators voice: he didn’t and wouldn’t) and “he’s the GOAT - how many majors have Fleetwood, Hatton, Casey etc won”
2. Ryder Cup doesn’t mean shit anyway, majors and PGA tour wins are the only thing that counts
3. The course was stupid.

Wrong on all counts but it’s great nonetheless. Another positive is that they seem to hate Reed as much as the rest of the world.

[BUSHY]

What's wrong with the comment? It is better course defense than how they let the greens dry up and place flag positions at ridiculous locations.

Driver. Hack a Wedge out. Hit it on the green. Putting comp.

No variety, no thought, just hit it here or else.

No thanks.

[BUSHY]

Works for matchplay.

Sucks for stroke play.

Yeah pretty much.

[dazza99]

Driver. Hack a Wedge out. Hit it on the green. Putting comp.

No variety, no thought, just hit it here or else.

No thanks.

How about -

Find the fairway
Find the green
Win the hole or a putting comp if you can both do the first.


Sooner that than -

Bomb it 350 anywhere, doesn't matter.
Find the green from anywhere.
Putting comp.

Golf is normally about accurate shots (one reason why I'm sh!t).
You have to putt accurately. Find greens accurately.
But on a lot of US courses, it doesn't matter much where you put your tee shot (I'm only going off the pro golf on Fox here you realise. never played there :) )

Big generalisations I know.
But I enjoyed that golf in Paris.
And there were some holes where you could just bomb it long. They just had to be a bit more accurate or pay for it. Risk reward.

[Jazz18]

How about -

Find the fairway
Find the green
Win the hole or a putting comp if you can both do the first.


Sooner that than -

Bomb it 350 anywhere, doesn't matter.
Find the green from anywhere.
Putting comp.

Golf is normally about accurate shots (one reason why I'm sh!t).
You have to putt accurately. Find greens accurately.
But on a lot of US courses, it doesn't matter much where you put your tee shot (I'm only going off the pro golf on Fox here you realise. never played there :) )

Big generalisations I know.
But I enjoyed that golf in Paris.
And there were some holes where you could just bomb it long. They just had to be a bit more accurate or pay for it. Risk reward.Exactly why the PGA Tour is getting boring. Driver, wedge, putt, driver wedge putt, boring. You'll get a bit if that on the European Tour but not every week. Much more variety, much more interesting, much more enjoyable.

[BUSHY]

Exactly why the PGA Tour is getting boring. Driver, wedge, putt, driver wedge putt, boring. You'll get a bit if that on the European Tour but not every week. Much more variety, much more interesting, much more enjoyable.

And also why the Americans got their asses handed to them. Even though the majority of the Euro team play on the PGA Tour they still travel plenty on non-US type courses.

Obviously it’s a distinct advantage being able to play on something a little out of their comfort zone.

[3Puttpete]

But on a lot of US courses, it doesn't matter much where you put your tee shot (I'm only going off the pro golf on Fox here you realise. never played there :) )
It's one of the main reasons for the bitching and moaning about the US Opens. The PGA Tour doesn't do rough.
The PGA Tour has stats for 193 players. Here are some notable positions in Driving Accuracy, Driving distance and GIR. They support your conclusion. Doesn't matter where it goes, as long as it's long.

Johnson 138 6 14
Thomas T141 11 33
Bubba T141 9 52
Koepka 158 8 57
Finau 180 4 17
Reed 182 T80 163
Mickleson 192 T54 136

Mickleson is just a spud and shouldn't have been on the team.

[PeteyD]

I think my favourite moment was in the foursomes on day 2, watching the 135yd par 3 2nd be halved with 6s.

[Dcanto]

I think my favourite moment was in the foursomes on day 2, watching the 135yd par 3 2nd be halved with 6s. Same here.

[BayBum]

JT's drive on 18 in the singles. Get that in ya Rory !

Best venue and course setup I've seen in a RC.

The fried egg called it a "shit course", and they consider themselves course architect guru's. Hmm....

[dazza99]

I think my favourite moment was in the foursomes on day 2, watching the 135yd par 3 2nd be halved with 6s.

That coulda been me right there. Would be most weeks actually. On any par 3 :)

[benno_r]

JT's drive on 18 in the singles. Get that in ya Rory !

Best venue and course setup I've seen in a RC.

The fried egg called it a "shit course", and they consider themselves course architect guru's. Hmm....

"great professional tournament venue" and "architecturally sound" aren't mutually exclusive. From what I saw I can't imagine I'd enjoy playing it.

[Jazz18]

"great professional tournament venue" and "architecturally sound" aren't mutually exclusive. From what I saw I can't imagine I'd enjoy playing it.I'd love to have a game there. I'd have 100's but who cares!!!

[oldracer]

Awesome setup by the Euro’s, did their homework and stuck it to the US, was the best golf I have watched in a long time

[benno_r]

I'd love to have a game there. I'd have 100's but who cares!!!

I'd play it for sure too. And probably have 100 as well. Doesn't make it great on the arkitecture front though.

[Jazz18]

I'd play it for sure too. And probably have 100 as well. Doesn't make it great on the arkitecture front though.What makes it bad?

[benno_r]

What makes it bad?

In my eyes:
Lack of options
Penal design
Over reliance on heroic shots with some of the green designs.

Like i said before, might make it a good tourney course, but that doesn't make it arkitecturally sound.

[Jazz18]

In my eyes:
Lack of options
Penal design
Over reliance on heroic shots with some of the green designs.

Like i said before, might make it a good tourney course, but that doesn't make it arkitecturally sound.

But like you said, in your eyes. I don't see that golf course like that at all. It's not about golf course architecture to me. It's just personal opinion.

[BayBum]

Too short and narrow was the general complaint (from the media mostly).

Yet, every year they show up at harbour town, jizzing themselves. Ranting and raving about how great it is that they have to plot their way around a short tight course.

[Jazz18]

Too short and narrow was the general complaint (from the media mostly).

Yet, every year they show up at harbour town, jizzing themselves. Ranting and raving about how great it is that they have to plot their way around a short tight course.And not many of the bombers play there either, unless they are lower ranked and needing points.

[pt73]

One of the Sky commentators said the home team always sets up the course to favour their team so away wins are very rare.

Read an article that only 6 of 12 USA team had played the course before this week, Justin Thomas was the only one who played in the 2018 French Open at the course.

Doesn’t sound like good planning to me.

[wizard_of_oz]

Speaking of eyes.
http://www.ladbible.com/news/sport-woman-loses-sight-in-eye-after-being-hit-by-golf-ball-at-ryder-cup-20181002?c=1538467224876

[Jazz18]

Speaking of eyes.
http://www.ladbible.com/news/sport-woman-loses-sight-in-eye-after-being-hit-by-golf-ball-at-ryder-cup-20181002?c=1538467224876Holy shit, that's awful.

[benno_r]

But like you said, in your eyes. I don't see that golf course like that at all. It's not about golf course architecture to me. It's just personal opinion.

Of course, and that's the sort of thing people who get in to architecture (like fried eggs) don't rate it for. I can think of a tonne of courses that fall in this category, but I'd still play them (Hamilton Island, Bonville, The Australian - to name a few).

[hippo10]

It's a course that's worth playing once and once only. No strategic interest and too penal to get repeat play. Immaculate condition though which is all that seems to matter to 50% of Oz golfers.

[Muscles]

No strategic interest

I couldn't disagree with that comment more. Seemed to me thought had to go into every single hole.

[Johnny Canuck]

I couldn't disagree with that comment more. Seemed to me thought had to go into every single hole.

I’m with Muscles. Plenty of decisions to be made off the tee.

As for it being too penal; only if the pin is tucked and if you decide to chase it.

Looked like a brilliant course to me that could be played in a variety of ways. I don’t think it would get boring and repetitive at all.

[Steve57]

I’m with Muscles. Plenty of decisions to be made off the tee.

As for it being too penal; only if the pin is tucked and if you decide to chase it.

Looked like a brilliant course to me that could be played in a variety of ways. I don’t think it would get boring and repetitive at all.

This^^^^^^!

[Lucasto23]

This^^^^^^!

This, even thought I could lose more than a dozen balls a round :)

[3Puttpete]

It's a course that's worth playing once and once only. No strategic interest and too penal to get repeat play. Immaculate condition though which is all that seems to matter to 50% of Oz golfers.

What do you mean by strategic interest?

[benno_r]

I’m with Muscles. Plenty of decisions to be made off the tee.


From the limited coverage I saw, it seemed most holes were played the same way each day. Didn't appear to offer a lot of options for the pros. I also think it was also setup very penal - you hit it out of place you lose the hole (which makes for great see-sawing match play).

[Captain Nemo]

Would have been good to see the dust up between DJ and BK! 💪

[3Puttpete]

From the limited coverage I saw, it seemed most holes were played the same way each day. Didn't appear to offer a lot of options for the pros. I also think it was also setup very penal - you hit it out of place you lose the hole (which makes for great see-sawing match play).

By options do you mean hit and spray driver then hit GIR from where ever it lands?

[benno_r]

By options do you mean hit and spray driver then hit GIR from where ever it lands?

No, I mean serious choice of different club from the tee to take on a hazard of some variety that will leave a more difficult shot to the green for taking the safer option off the tee. If everyone is picking the same shot, then the option is: a. not present, or b: not worth it. And if either is the case, the course lacks strategic interest.

[Lucasto23]

No, I mean serious choice of different club from the tee to take on a hazard of some variety that will leave a more difficult shot to the green for taking the safer option off the tee. If everyone is picking the same shot, then the option is: a. not present, or b: not worth it. And if either is the case, the course lacks strategic interest.

Bunting driver to 180m gives you heaps of options and most likely you would be laying up again around that place again and again. The only issue with that track was that the Tiger line was not as rewarding on that course due to the rough being so penal and that is more due to set up than design. Take the rough out and us choppers are going if I bomb Drive it’s 7 iron if I play safe it’s 4 iron over water or lay up to wedge range and can a putt. Lots of choices mate

[jimandr]

One of the best things about USA losing Ryder Cups is watching the team implode afterwards, with players trying to dodge responsibility, and supporters looking for people to blame.

It happened in 14, and its happening again this time.

Patrick is whingeing that he wasn't paired with Jordan. The flaw in that argument is that the pairing with Justin Thomas was successful. But it is all about Patrick in his eyes, and those of his wife.

Everyone is whingeing about Phil, and Bryson, and Bubba, and Jim Furyk, and the lack of a team atmosphere.

For me, they are all overthinking it in the post mortem. The simple explanation is that too many US players didn't play well. Their driving wasn't accurate, but they were also missing fairways with irons and 3 woods. It also hurt that Furyk's hunches didn't pay off, while Bjorn's did pay off.

I'm now wondering, in the fallout from this, whether some of the so-called non team players like Patrick and Bubba might have their cards marked for the future.

[benno_r]

Bunting driver to 180m gives you heaps of options and most likely you would be laying up again around that place again and again. The only issue with that track was that the Tiger line was not as rewarding on that course due to the rough being so penal and that is more due to set up than design. Take the rough out and us choppers are going if I bomb Drive it’s 7 iron if I play safe it’s 4 iron over water or lay up to wedge range and can a putt. Lots of choices mate

I was talking mainly for the pros in regards to options of the tee, and yes, like any course where you grow stupid crazy rough, most risk/reward lines get ignored.

In regards to myself I would just hit driver off every tee (but that's not a fault of the course). But most of the par 4s with no bail out water carries (1/15/18 ), I am forced to layup my second shot - no great choices there.

And again preface this by saying I didn't watch it as much as most people, but with the rough back to sensible levels - are there many holes that force you to make an actual choice off the tee? Were there any holes you had to take on a bunker, or chew off some water off the tee that brought serious strategic merit into play? I dont recall any.

Don't get me wrong, I still think it would be an enjoyable, but strategic? I don't see it.

[Jazz18]

I was talking mainly for the pros in regards to options of the tee, and yes, like any course where you grow stupid crazy rough, most risk/reward lines get ignored.

In regards to myself I would just hit driver off every tee (but that's not a fault of the course). But most of the par 4s with no bail out water carries (1/15/18 ), I am forced to layup my second shot - no great choices there.

And again preface this by saying I didn't watch it as much as most people, but with the rough back to sensible levels - are there many holes that force you to make an actual choice off the tee? Were there any holes you had to take on a bunker, or chew off some water off the tee that brought serious strategic merit into play? I dont recall any.

Don't get me wrong, I still think it would be an enjoyable, but strategic? I don't see it.Again I think it depends on ur definition of strategic and that's why the discussion always goes round in circles.

I don't think you'd be laying up on 1 or 15 for ur second shot mate. They are both relatively short and the 18th plays as a par 5 for non tournament play for memory so a second shot lay up or going for it would be ur risk reward.

I saw lots of different approaches to the various tee shots/holes. It seemed to change from 4ball to foursomes and player to player.

On a separate note, did everyone see the video of Justin Rose drinking out if the Ryder Cup while being propped up by others!!! It's hilarious!!!

[benno_r]

Again I think it depends on ur definition of strategic and that's why the discussion always goes round in circles.

I don't think you'd be laying up on 1 or 15 for ur second shot mate. They are both relatively short and the 18th plays as a par 5 for non tournament play for memory so a second shot lay up or going for it would be ur risk reward.

I saw lots of different approaches to the various tee shots/holes. It seemed to change from 4ball to foursomes and player to player.

On a separate note, did everyone see the video of Justin Rose drinking out if the Ryder Cup while being propped up by others!!! It's hilarious!!!

If you see how far I drive it, and how bad my iron play is, you'd understand I'd be laying up on 1 and 15. :D

[3Puttpete]

Bathurst needs to pave all the grass and run off areas. It doesn’t make sense to have the cars stick to the track for the best results.

[benno_r]

Bathurst needs to pave all the grass and run off areas. It doesn’t make sense to have the cars stick to the track for the best results.

Of course, but let's not confuse execution with strategy.

[3Puttpete]

Of course, but let's not confuse execution with strategy.

Like slowing down around corners? No need if there are no corners

[benno_r]

Like slowing down around corners? No need if there are no corners

Bathurst would need some serious modifications to get a 1000km race without any corners.

[3Puttpete]

Did anyone hit driver on 1 on Sunday? There’s fairway from tee to green.

Is that a lack of options?

[Jazz18]

If you see how far I drive it, and how bad my iron play is, you'd understand I'd be laying up on 1 and 15. :DHaha! I've seen you play and ur not that bad. The first is only 380ish from the tips and the 15th is only 360ish from the tips. Not sure as choppers we'd be playing it from the tips either so could be even shorter.

[benno_r]

Did anyone hit driver on 1 on Sunday? There’s fairway from tee to green.

Is that a lack of options?

I don't know, I didn't see anything on 1.

What clubs did they hit?

[benno_r]

Haha! I've seen you play and ur not that bad. The first is only 380ish from the tips and the 15th is only 360ish from the tips. Not sure as choppers we'd be playing it from the tips either so could be even shorter.

That was a long time ago buddy. My driver is a solid 195m club these days.

[3Puttpete]

I don't know, I didn't see anything on 1.

What clubs did they hit?

Iron, hybrid maybe. No driver

[benno_r]

Iron, hybrid maybe. No driver

So no one took the option of driver, or woods. The best in the world didn't want to take that option. Why not?

[3Puttpete]

So no one took the option of driver, or woods. The best in the world didn't want to take that option. Why not?

There were consequences for missing the fairway.

Spray driver, hit wedge wasn’t the way to play.

Bad course, no options.

[Jazz18]

So no one took the option of driver, or woods. The best in the world didn't want to take that option. Why not?3 woods down to irons in the first. Saw water balls for all types of clubs. Clubs from I think 7 irons to wedges into the green.

195m for driver? How do you lose that much distance in just 16 months? Seriously?

[benno_r]

There were consequences for missing the fairway.

Spray driver, hit wedge wasn’t the way to play.

Bad course, no options.

Never said it was bad, never said it had no options.

When the options are, hit a mid length shot to avoid devillish rough, or die - we are not talking a course that rewards strategy, we are talking a course that rewards execution. That's where you might be confusing my point.

Which comes back to the opinion of hippo and I that it is not a strategic course.

[benno_r]

195m for driver? How do you lose that much distance in just 16 months? Seriously?

Yep. Shit swing these days, resulting in a stint on anchor.

[3Puttpete]

Never said it was bad, never said it had no options.

When the options are, hit a mid length shot to avoid devillish rough, or die - we are not talking a course that rewards strategy, we are talking a course that rewards execution. That's where you might be confusing my point.

Which comes back to the opinion of hippo and I that it is not a strategic course.

Hitting driver to fairway is always an option.

How do you define strategy?

[benno_r]

Hitting driver to fairway is always an option.

How do you define strategy?Of course hitting driver is an option. But on a hole like 1 (for pros), it's not a viable strategy as the reward is so minor and the risk so great.

For me, driver is an option, as it's probably the only club in my bag that will give me a second shot to the green. Due to the fact I am ****ed if I don't hit fairway, the hole becomes a test of my execution.

[Jazz18]

Never said it was bad, never said it had no options.

When the options are, hit a mid length shot to avoid devillish rough, or die - we are not talking a course that rewards strategy, we are talking a course that rewards execution. That's where you might be confusing my point.

Which comes back to the opinion of hippo and I that it is not a strategic course.How can you separate execution and strategy? Even if you have a course that you might seem as strategic, you won't score well if your strategy is good but your execution is off. Execution has nothing to do with the course. It's what you do once you choose the right strategy.

[Jazz18]

Of course hitting driver is an option. But on a hole like 1 (for pros), it's not a viable strategy as the reward is so minor and the risk so great.

For me, driver is an option, as it's probably the only club in my bag that will give me a second shot to the green. Due to the fact I am ****ed if I don't hit fairway, the hole becomes a test of my execution.If you are only hitting it 195m with driver mate, I'd suggest you wouldn't be playing from the tips.

[benno_r]

How can you separate execution and strategy? Even if you have a course that you might seem as strategic, you won't score well if your strategy is good but your execution is off. Execution has nothing to do with the course. It's what you do once you choose the right strategy.

Obviously golf is predominantly a test of execution.

But I look at it this way - if a course gives you one viable option (LGN #1) - you are testing execution. If the course offers you multiple viable options, with varying degrees of difficulty (and remunerate reward), you are testing strategy AND execution.

Now, if we talk about typical PGA bomb and gauge golf, it's a test of recovery and putting! :D

[wizard_of_oz]

If you are only hitting it 195m with driver mate, I'd suggest you wouldn't be playing from the tips. Ooooooooohhhh...*grabs popcorn*

[BayBum]

Would have been good to see the dust up between DJ and BK! 💪 BK in the first round. All day 😎

[benno_r]

If you are only hitting it 195m with driver mate, I'd suggest you wouldn't be playing from the tips.

Even if i didn't play from the tips, what strategic options is it offering me?

The FW narrows down to "pointless me trying", so I am still hitting what ever club gets me closest to the water in the safe part of the FW. So again, the hole is still only a test of my execution.

Maybe make the fw closer to the hole a bit wider, and all of a sudden the thought it can be a viable option is running through my head. Tada! Strategy (and still execution).

[3Puttpete]

Every point you make about “strategy” comes back to unpunished spraying of driver being the be all and end all of golf course design.

[Dotty]

The competition needs the same re-balance as forty years ago.

USA can be boosted by non-European internationals to level up the playing field.

[benno_r]

Every point you make about “strategy” comes back to unpunished spraying of driver being the be all and end all of golf course design.No it doesn't. You're making that assumption, not me.

[3Puttpete]

No it doesn't. You're making that assumption, not me.

It’s the only point you’ve actually made. Having to hit fairways with anything less than driver is bad, penalising driver in the rough is bad.

Scatter in some platitudes of strategy and options. It’s the Masterchef “balance” and “compliment” discussion.

[benno_r]

It’s the only point you’ve actually made. Having to hit fairways with anything less than driver is bad, penalising driver in the rough is bad.

Scatter in some platitudes of strategy and options. It’s the Masterchef “balance” and “compliment” discussion.

Strawman. Evidence required.

[3Puttpete]

Strawman. Evidence required.

Another post saying nothing

[benno_r]

Another post saying nothing

You claimed I said:
1. unpunished spraying of driver being the be all and end all of golf course design.
2. Having to hit fairways with anything less than driver is bad.
3. penalising driver in the rough is bad.

Prove it.

[WBennett]

So no one took the option of driver, or woods. The best in the world didn't want to take that option. Why not?

Not true. Webb Simpson hit a hybrid of some sort.

The hole was also playing significantly down wind. A head wind may have had different choices made, like IJP who hit 3w on day 1.

I thought the rough was a little overcooked, but it rewarded good ball striking tee to green, not 350m drivers. Greens didn't seem overly tricked up, and pins were in locations where birdie was achievable more often than not.

There were a lot of bailout areas, many short left of short right for those not taking on the full heroic shots.

[Steve57]

26 players managed to break par over 4 rounds at the French Open in June, 5 of them were European RC team members and only 1 was from the US team.
The previous year, 29 players broke par and there were only 4 Euro team members in that number.
Thomas Bjorn and the European brains trust asked for the course to be setup the way it was.
Greens were slowed to favor the Europeans who generally face slower greens on a weekly basis than on the PGA Tour.
Molinari and Fleetwood in particular have never putted the way that they did on the weekend on PGA Tour greens.
The bottom line in all of this, is that the course setup is what killed the bomb and gouge game, not just the course design.

[Captain Nemo]

Chill out gents, FFS!

[Jazz18]

I think with all the discussion about the course design and set up, it proves to me even more that a factual discussion on can never he had. Basic things like width of fairways and height of rough or amount of bunkers are facts. Whether or not you think it's right, or penal or good design or strategic or whatever is nothing more than personal opinion. There you go, that's just my opinion.

[timah!]

So good. The Euros just do everything better.

https://youtu.be/7-kxODwKATo

[Daves]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUlm3WEC-uk

[Chilled]

haha, all this thoery nonsense, here's the real reason they lost, individual conflict.

https://www.news.com.au/sport/sports-life/dustin-johnson-and-brooks-koepka-feud-over-paulina-gretzky/news-story/91b990c914b888806af5571487338ff2

[wazamac]

USA lost.
Europeans won.
I'm happy.
That's all that matters to me.:D

[Captain Nemo]

https://youtu.be/7-kxODwKATo

Now that’s passion....
Makes me proud to be part of the EU.

[FuzzyJuzzy]

https://youtu.be/7-kxODwKAToNow that’s passion....Makes me proud to be part of the EU.Watched that one one last week. I had chills from start to finish. It’s absolutley perfect.Also, just came across this - a brief transcription of Ben Hogan’s Captain’s speech to the 1967 US Ryder Cup team. It’s pretty awesome...quintessential Hogan. He certainly didn’t suffer fools:https://www.golfdigest.com/story/this-ben-hogan-pep-talk-to-the-1967-us-ryder-cup-team-is-something-else

[Daves]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vp2DKfTpdKw

[Daves]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gaaFNwb5Hdk&index=2&t=0s&list=LLyFHGueN5Yl ZylqLLOCCQUQ