DJ – 09.20.08
The “Sunday Singles” at the 37th Ryder Cup tomorrow… are going to be something special!!!
If you have watched any of this Ryder Cup at Valhalla, you will know that the competition is as strong as ever. Two teams battling to the 18th hole to earn a precious point, or half a point for their team. It is the fiercest battle since Brookline in ’99, possibly as competitive as Kiawah in ’91 and due to the last 2 competitions being non-events… this one has a little bit of added spice to it!
So we move to the Singles; with the US team currently holding a 9-7 lead, and needing 14.5points to win the trophy, 5.5 points is easily within reach. On the other hand, the European's and their fight back on Saturday has them within 7 points of retaining the trophy and with 12 single points up for grabs… It is going to be one heck of a battle!
Here are the pairings – (And in brackets who I think may get the edge)
USA 9...7
EUROPE
A.Kim v (1) S.Garcia
H.Mahan (.5) v (.5) P.Casey
J.Leonard (1) v R.Karlsson
P.Mickelson (.5) v (.5) J.Rose
K.Perry (1) v H.Stenson
B.Weekly (1) v O.Wilson
J.B.Holmes v (1) S Hansen
J.Furyk (.5) v (.5) M.A.Jimenez
S.Cink v (1) G.McDowell
S.Stricker v (1) I.Poulter
B.Curtis v (1) L.Westwood
C.Campbell (.5) v (.5) P Harrington
Total 5...7
Final Total 14....14 (Scores tied, Europe retain the cup)
So I sat on the fence and called it a tie… Have a go yourself and see if you get any right tomorrow!!!
One things for sure, Paul Azinger has set this course up, picked the right team and created the best atmosphere possible for the US team to take back this trophy for the first time since 1999. However, Azinger will not be playing Sunday, it is up to his team to play their hearts out and try to earn that ½ point… After all, if they all earn a half point, they win the cup!
So next time you have that slippery 3 footer for par, to win your Sunday match, think about these guys putting for their country or continent!
Now, sit back, enjoy, and thank your lucky stars that you are not the ones out there…
BRING IT ON BOYS…………………………..
