Steve Stricker and Padraig Harrington announced their lineups for Friday’s morning session of foursomes (alternate shot) at the 43rd Ryder Cup. And both captains are leaning on their stallions to draw first blood.
Knowing we have to make it through these last arduous hours, let’s revisit the highlights, such as they are, from the week when we over-analyse every small nugget of information in order to satisfy our craving for real golf.
One of the big questions/problems facing US Ryder Cup captain Steve Stricker this week is what to do with Bryson DeChambeau. That pertains to every single facet, but specifically, for our purposes, we’re referring to partnerships.
It’s the Ryder Cup’s dirty little secret. Apart from his picks and choosing the pairings and lineup order, course setup is a home captain’s most potent lever to influence the matches.
Team chemistry feels like an abstract concept, and defining what it is at the Ryder Cup is a bit of a paradox, for there’s not a universal explanation for what it is and how it’s achieved.
In naming Sergio Garcia, Shane Lowry and Ian Poulter, the European Ryder Cup captain has added a total of 15 past appearances in the biennial contest, even with Lowry, a rookie, in that mix.
Steve Stricker, who helms this year’s US team, said the entire American team will meet for practice rounds at Whistling Straits prior to Ryder Cup week, something he believes will be a first for the red, white and blue.
Australian Golf Digest
