Viral GIF: Phil, Uh, Encouraging Keegan

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The Big Lead with the GIF of Phil Mickelson giving Keegan Bradley a little pat on the tush. Over and over again.

2012 Ryder Cup Friday Foursomes Open Thread

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You've spoken and the Mickelson/Bradley v. Donald/Garcia match is what you are looking forward to most, and I would agree.

ESPN's coverage starts at 8 am ET with the Furyk/Snedeker v. McDowell/McIlroy slugfest.

But it's hard to imagine a better Ryder Cup scenario: the forecast is sensational, the course is immaculate, the setup figures to have some fun twists and the crowds will be primed and ready. Best of all, now we'll finally find out if too much table tennis will mess up the American team putting touch.

"The Americans haven't really been using the tees that they'll be using during the matches because they're trying to throw off the European spies."

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Michael Collins reports some last minute course tweaks that may just raise the bar on home field advantage efforts: a tree removed and an area of rough on the 10th hole cut so Bubba Watson can find a good lie over a fairway bunker 290 from the tee.

In addition, Medinah director of golf Mike Scully said that a tree was removed Wednesday that would make the tee shot easier on a hole, but he would not specify which hole. Having trees removed is not within Love's rights as captain, and Scully would not say why the tree needed to be taken down.

Medinah has lost several hundred trees over the past year. In fact, the tree on the 16th hole, made famous when Sergio Garcia closed his eyes and blasted a tremendous shot from its base in the 1999 PGA Championship, had to be removed. 

Dave Shedloski talked to the Open Doctor Thursday and Rees Jones about all things Medinah and he says the Americans were careful not to reveal some planned setup ploys during their practice rounds.

"It used to be that the golf course was a certain yardage, and that's what you had. But here they can do just about anything." Jones said. "The Americans haven't really been using the tees that they'll be using during the matches because they're trying to throw off the European spies. I mean, we've heard a lot about players laying up on the 15th hole [a drivable par-4]. A lot of Americans have been talking about that. But Bubba Watson said today he can reach it with a 4-wood. So that tells me he knows something."

We shall see!

Captain Love was pretty cryptic about the setup on Thursday, but I love the jab at the PGA's Kerry Haigh.

Q.  What's your latest thought on the length of No. 15, especially since Mickelson came in and said he doesn't anticipate it being drivable; and also, do you think you'll move around the tee much on the weekend?

DAVIS LOVE III:  Well, it won't be drivable if Phil doesn't hit driver, if he hits an iron off the tee.
I think you'll probably see a variety of things at 15.  You know, it all depends on the wind, too.  If it's cold or windy, not many guys can get there no matter where you put the tee.  The front of the tee is‑‑ I think the shortest you can get it is 285 front, so if it's cold and windy coming in, not many guys out there that will be able to get there.  Maybe Dustin and Tiger and Colsaerts.  But I think you'll see a variety.

You know, it's different in different formats, and Kerry is‑‑ I think the great thing about what we have seen Kerry set up PGA Championships and Ryder Cups is he gives you a variety.  It's fun; fun to play any course that Kerry sets up.  I'm just glad that I got to Curtis Tyrell and got rid of Kerry's four‑inch rough.  (Smiling.)

Poll: Ryder Cup Friday Morning Foursome Pairings

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The lineups are set for Friday morning foursomes, cast your vote on most appealing...and comment on who you like to win. I'll post some of the early analysis as soon as the writers have recovered from Justin Timberlake's opening poem enough to share their views.

Most appealing morning foursome match?
  
pollcode.com free polls 

Sign The Kumbaya Cup Is Putting A Heavy Strain On Media: Scribe Questions Whether U.S. Playing Too Much Ping Pong!

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This Tweet by Brian Hewitt, retweeted by the Global Golf Post digital publication he also edits, would suggest a form of media credulity brought on by too many days of pre-Ryder Cup hype and not enough genuine controversy. P.S., it's table tennis.