Timeless

Wow, it doesn’t get much — actually, any better than the singles matches at the Ryder Cup and Team Europe’s unbelievable comeback. Well done. Kudos to the Europeans.

I’m sure you’re all itching to chime in on the epic loss and win. First, I’ll share the way Sunday unfolded from my viewpoint, and then I’ve posted the full transcripts of both teams press conferences. You may have heard about the legendary drunkenness of the European team. (Can anyone say best presser ever?!) (continue reading…)

Just get on with it and make out!

The U.S. dominated in morning foursomes, highlighted by Keegan Bradley/Phil Mickelson romping Lee Westwood/Luke Donald 7&6, and the pattern looked to continue in the afternoon four-balls with the Americans winning three of the four matches until a late charge by the Europeans put them in the game again. (continue reading…)

I love you, man!

Change has been a major theme all year in one of golf’s most thrilling seasons. So it shouldn’t have been a surprise that the Americans dominated the afternoon four-ball matches on Friday at the Ryder Cup.

The U.S. and Europe split the morning foursomes, earning two points a piece. The Americans were led by the dynamic duo of Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley, who handed the previously indomitable Luke Donald and Sergio Garcia their first loss in the alternate shot format (going into Friday, Donald-Garcia were a combined 14-0-1 in that format and as partners they were 4-0). (continue reading…)

Best dressed American couple at the RC Gala: Jason anad Amanda Dufner

Covering the Ryder Cup Gala was probably the most fun I’ve had in a long time (working-wise). It was quite the spectacle, but a nice change of pace. I live-tweeted and ‘grammed the festivities, so I recommend going through my timelines, along with Alan Shipnuck’s Twitter. I missed the first hour or so of the Gala, including the introduction hosted by Chicago sports legends Scottie Pippen and Ernie Banks, and Blues Brothers cover band.

I arrived just as Jean Van de Velde strolled down the red carpet. Perfect timing. (continue reading…)

Team photo time: this one says it all!

Unlike the Tiger Woods of old, where he didn’t appear to mesh with his team (because of the whole intimidation thing), the new, friendlier version of the 14-time major champ set an entirely different tone on Tuesday at Medinah Country Club for the 2012 Ryder Cup. Woods, who is 13-14-2 in the biennial matches, showed humility and grace, and in fact, took blame for the U.S. losing to Europe in the last six of eight matches. (continue reading…)

Consolation prize for Tiger...?

The PGA Championship wasn’t just “Glory’s Last Shot” to win a major, it was also the last tournament to earn points and clinch an automatic berth for the Ryder Cup. I think the (added) pressure definitely got to a few of the guys. I’m betting it was weighing on Hunter Mahan, who missed the cut. Look what Bo Van Pelt did the last few holes — he bogeyed three of the last five. U.S. Ryder Cup captain Davis Love III probably wasn’t too impressed…

Outside of Steve Stricker who finished T7, none of the American Bubble Boys did anything outstanding. In Love’s press conference on Wednesday, he basically said Stricker was a lock because we happen to have a guy who “likes playing with him,” aka Tiger Woods. (continue reading…)

All stats and figures compiled by Shoshana, a recent graduate school grad with too much time on her hands and an excellent researcher.

Team USA celebrates in 2008

There’s added pressure – even more so than what the major title commands — for some American players this week at the PGA Championship, dubbed “Glory’s Last Shot” since it’s the fourth and final major championship of the season. Well, the tagline is slightly overused, but it bears extra meaning for Team USA Ryder Cup hopefuls to make the squad on points, with the top eight in the standings earning automatic berths to the biennial matches against Team Europe, held this year at Medinah Country Club from September 25-30. (continue reading…)