USA: Team Spirit!
Raise your hand if you stayed awake to watch the conclusion of the Presidents Cup? Well, I did from my sickbed and caught just about all 13 hours of coverage! — I mean, if it were the Ryder Cup, that’s a different story, but I suppose there are more compelling story lines than there have been in recent history (at least in my short-lived memory) — and the Americans take command with a 13-9 lead over the Internationals.
I was also really glad I waited ’til 4am ET to watch captain Norman and captain Couples engage in the battleship-esque draw for the Sunday Singles matches, especially since barring a miracle for the Internationals, the Americans have pretty much won. The U.S. only needs 4 1/2 points to retain the Cup, so it could be over before, say, Tiger’s match.
I was a little disappointed the singles pairings probably won’t be edge-of-your-seat compelling. I’d love for the Internationals to give the U.S. a run for the Cup to make things a bit more interesting.
Anyway, here’s today’s (or rather, Sunday in Melbourne) lineup:
Match 23 – 10:30 a.m. K.T. Kim vs Webb Simpson
Match 24 – 10:42 a.m. Charl Schwartzel vs Dustin Johnson
Match 25 – 10:54 a.m. Ryo Ishikawa vs Bubba Watson
Match 26 – 11:06 a.m. Geoff Ogilvy vs Bill Haas
Match 27 – 11:18 a.m. Jason Day vs Hunter Mahan
Match 28 – 11:30 a.m. K.J. Choi vs Nick Watney
Match 29 – 11:42 a.m. Adam Scott vs Phil Mickelson
Match 30 – 11:54 a.m. Retief Goosen vs Matt Kuchar
Match 31 – 12:06 p.m. Ernie Els vs Jim Furyk
Match 32 – 12:18 p.m. Robert Allenby vs David Toms
Match 33 – 12:30 p.m. Aaron Baddeley vs Tiger Woods
Match 34 – 12:42 p.m. Y.E. Yang vs Steve Stricker
I’m looking forward to watching Ryo vs. Bubba and Day vs. Mahan, and I’m wondering if Stevie will call Phil a prick.
Predictions, anyone? I’m betting it’s over by Match 29.
(AP Photo/David Callow)
You put one paragraph in there twice. I find Tiger’s matchup interesting as it is the best putter vs the worst (not that Tiger’s hit bad putts but they refuse to go in).
I wonder if that will help tiger’s putting. I remember golfers saying it helped their putting to be paired with Crenshaw by watching him. Of course, in match play, it might just piss you off
I give Ryo a chance against Buuba since he putts much better, I also like Ogilvy, Simpson, Choi, Kutchar, Furyk, Toms. It was worth staying up just to see Freddie say Matty Kutch….char
Many interesting matchups, you’re right on the two you mention… but worth to see which nation; Korea, Aussie or SAF and Japan that will come out with their head high! I believe the Asians will deliver and really step up to the plate!
Just too bad that the Aussies are not giving back to the homecrowd!
You said it could be over before Tiger’s match, but you’re not taking into account that Tiger’s match may end very early!
…at least Tiger’s poor showing, and Couples’ poor choice will be ignored because of the U.S. win. But I can’t imagine this beat down is doing much for Tiger’s confidence (if he has any left, that is).
@Fin just guessing but hitting 17/18 greens under pressure yesterday prob did a lot for his confidence.
@Bueller I’ll see you Tiger putting and raise a Dustin, as in the guy who has missed the hole on several 3ft’s this week, and still hasn’t made a put.
Looking forward to the Mickelson/Scott match and Day/Hunter
@fin,
Crow is best served with humble pie…
@Fins, if you think Fred’s Tiger pick is worse than Greg’s Robert Allenby pick, you need to get your head checked. Robert Allenby hasn’t been the same since he got waxed by AK for talking S#*t, and Norman was stupid enough to pick him over John Sendon or other better Aussies. Tiger has never been a team player, but when he’s on his own, he still can take down whoever is in front of him. Granted Badds ain’t no rock star, but at least he didn’t get whacked by Old David Tom like Allenby.
Well, it’s official, the Presidents Cup is one of my least favorite events.
The are just not contenders in a team format. The ‘rest of the world’ aspect doesn’t inspire them or fire them up. All but two of all the Presidents Cups played have been over by the 2nd day.
Wasting time watching a shitty pro like Allenby or a choking Day is a hard sell.
If they played it solely on gems like Royal Melbourne, it would be worth tuning in for a bit. However, in 2013, we get a tired Muirfield Village that already has an annual tour stop. And then it goes to Korea on a course that may not even be built yet.
Time to stick a fork in this competition and just give the trophy to the American team into perpetuity.
Marky Mark – like WTF man?!?!
I watched the whole thing live from midnight til 6am.
The event as a whole didn’t disappoint me… many things that kept me awake (the first Par3 for example).
A lot of surprises though… Day and Phil choking… Tiger putting well, Kim owning like a boss, etc…
Marky Mark,
No one cares if P-Cup is your favorite or least favorite.
I guess the Interweb makes people think they are more important than they really are….
who wrote this article?? Was it MO? No more ZZZZZZZZZZZ’s