The French Are Already Cranky About What This Ryder Cup Will Not Deliver

As the LPGA’s Evian Championship gets underway, Graham Dunbar of the AP reports on Evian chair Franck Riboud grousing about what the Ryder Cup will do for French golf. You know, the Ryder Cup that was going to lead to 100 new six or nine hole courses and new fans galore.

Let the grouchiness begin!

“Perhaps you are surprised,” Riboud said. “Because personally I think the Ryder Cup is not building or helping to reach the objective” of developing talent.

Though Tiger Woods is making a rare visit to France, Riboud played down the impact his selection for the United States team could have.

“No, the best ambassador for golf in France is going to the next French champion at the same level (as) Tiger Woods,” the businessman said.

Right, good luck with that!

More importantly, is the media center going to have fresh baked croissants in the morning and suitable wine/cheese spreads at filing time? That could determine the future of French golf, in this reporters’ opinion.

Tony Finau Holds Off Late Charges, Gets Final 2018 Ryder Cup Team Pick

Well 72% of you voted for him in the short time between the end of the BMW and Captain Furyk’s announcement. He’ll be counted on to make some four-ball birdies with Phil Mickelson, most suspect. And a most deserving selection rewarding season-long consistency and stellar play in the majors.

For Immediate Release:

Tony Finau is Final U.S. Captain’s Pick for 42nd Ryder Cup

Click here for interview transcript with Tony Finau

Click here for interview transcript with Captain Furyk

WEST CONSHOHOCKEN, PENNSYLVANIA (Sept. 10, 2018) –  United States Ryder Cup Captain Jim Furyk today announced that Tony Finau has been added to the U.S. Team as the final Captain’s selection for the 42nd Ryder Cup, which will be contested Sept. 28-30 at Le Golf National in Paris, France.

Finau joins Bryson DeChambeau, Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods as Furyk’s four Captain’s Selections. Furyk named DeChambeau, Mickelson and Woods to the U.S. Team on Sept. 4.

"He has an unbelievable body of work this year," said Furyk. "All those top-10 finishes, the play in big championships and the Majors, and then his current form, a second, a fourth and an eighth in the playoffs. He checked a lot of boxes and made it impossible not to pick him."

Although this will be Finau’s first Ryder Cup, he has posted 11 top-10s this season, including three in major-championship play (T-10/Masters, 5th/U.S. Open, T-9/Open Championship).

A consistent presence on Sunday leaderboards throughout the year, Finau’s second-place finish at last month’s Northern Trust was his third runner-up of the season. The 28-year-old (he’ll be 29 when Ryder Cup play begins) ranks third on the PGA Tour with an average driving distance of 316.3 yards. He’s currently No. 17 in the Official World Golf Ranking.

“It’s a dream come true for me,” said Finau. “I got the goosebumps when he told me, and I’m excited to add my skills and talent to the team, a team that’s stacked already. Hopefully I bring something to the team that can help us bring that Cup back.”

The final composition of Furyk’s 2018 U.S. Ryder Cup Team includes three Ryder Cup rookies (DeChambeau, Finau, Thomas), nine major champions (with 31 total major victories) and experience gained in 34 previous Ryder Cups.

Poll: Who should get the final Team USA Ryder Cup pick?

Captain Jim Furyk has had a few wrinkles thrown his way given that a week ago Tony Finau was a near-unanimous pick, but with Xander Schauffele making a strong BMW Championship bid and Keegan Bradley (Phil's buddy!) winning. The late pick was created for situations like this, so who would you like to see Captain Furyk pick?

Who should get the final Team USA Ryder Cup pick?

Xander Schauffele

Tony Finau

Keegan Bradley

 

pollcode.com free polls

Will Garcia's Selection Damage European Tour Loyalty?

The role of Ryder Cup experience will forever be debated after players are selected by Captain's because of strong event pedigree.  In the most recent case by Thomas Bjorn in selecting Paul Casey, Ian Poulter, Henrik Stenson and Sergio Garcia for the 2018 Ryder Cup team, the struggles at Hazeltine of Darren Clarke's rookies may have played a role.

As Ryan Lavner points out in this commentary on the overrated nature of experience, that was a road game. Furthermore, as Lavner notes with recent records, younger nerves have come through under recent (and intense) Ryder Cup pressure.

The Bjorn pick stands out most is Garcia's selection in the midst of a poor year by his consistently-high standards. 

Rafa Cabrera Bello, 29th in the world and heating up again after seemingly a team lock early in the year, was passed over despite still having an outside shot to win the FedExCup, as Zac Elkin writes. He was undefeated as a Ryder Cup rookie, has a impressive 15-7-1 match play record and is one of Europe's top 10 players based on world rankings. 

As Alistair Tait points out, three-time European Tour winner Matt Wallace also has reason to be upset at his omission, writing that "Bjorn has taken a huge gamble on Garcia, one that could hinder Europe’s chances of winning the Ryder Cup."

Garcia, and to a lesser extent Stenson, will ultimately determine the wisdom of Bjorn's strategy. (Casey and Poulter seem to be unanimously well received selections.)

The greater concern for Europe should be what this says to younger players and those attempting to be loyal to the European Tour.

Rafa logged 9 starts on the tour in 2018, not including World Golf Champioships and majors. 

Another contender for the team, Matthew Fitpatrick, made 7 European Tour non-major/WGC starts but is leaving for the PGA Tour.

Wallace has made 18 non-major/WGC European Tour starts in 2018. Despite three wins, he was 13th on the European Tour points list. Perhaps his inconsistency this year, coupled with an MC at the French Open proved fatal. But he also birdied 7 of the last 8 holes in front of Bjorn at the Made in Denmark event, then won a four-man playoff in a last minute bid. 

Meanwhile, Garcia has posted just 3 non-major/WGC European Tour starts in 2018 and several other numbers are not helping his cause. 

While the Ryder Cup team should not be filled out by those loyal to the European Tour, the Bjorn decision could have ramifications into the future.

Given the 2018 European team's emphasis on PGA Tour-based members and the strange point totals not benefitting European Tour play, the deck looks more stacked than ever against those loyal to Europe. Bjorn's pick could provide one more reason a European packs their bag and makes a go of things in America. Or, at the very least, give players a case to chase World Ranking points and money over loyalty to their home tour. Because it's clear Ryder Cup brownie points were not earned this year for showing loyalty to the European Tour.

It’s been a long journey but the team is now set! I’m so proud of each and every player and ready to go to work in Paris to win the @RyderCup back! I really appreciate all the support. Let’s go #TeamEurope 🇪🇺🇪🇺🇪🇺

A post shared by Thomas Bjørn (@mrtbjorn) on Sep 5, 2018 at 9:45am PDT

Better Get A 747: Captain Furyk Adds Three Players And Three More (Egads) Vice Captains

We all knew Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Bryson DeChambeau were going to be picked for the 2018 Ryder Cup squad on Tuesday. Golfweek's Dan Kilbridge reports.

The real shocker: three more vice captains were added to the two in place. Not only does this add more weight to the flight overseas when you include the cart drivers for the VC's, the WAG's for all and various cart drivers for the cart drivers, but this also declares the end of Matt Kuchar and Zach Johnson's Ryder Cup careers along with David Duval's 2018 Ryder Cup broadcasting work.

I know what you're thinking: five vice captains seems excessive when you add on previously-announced VC's Davis Love and Steve Stricker, while subtracting now-former VC Tiger Woods, who moves to a full time player role.

Consider this:

--There is now one cart driver for every four PGA of America board members who will be lingering dangerously by the lavatories for the flight overseas, eager for an autographs, selfies or stories to tell the folks back home. Zach Johnson is a man who can stop a burly PGA blowhard from interfering with Bryson's sleep! 

--One VC for every C-level title at the PGA of America who will, unfortunately, try to share their thoughts on pairings, uniforms, inspiration speech lineups and Heaven knows what else they do in full-fledged hanger-on roles.

--One VC for every two USA players, if you subtract Tiger and Phil, who don't need no stinkin' VC's.  After all, they're Task Force VC's for life and likely captains in 2022 and 2024!

--The IFB industry rejoices, as does the golf cart maker charged with creating the custom shuttle-friendly rides that Mssrs. Love, Stricker, Kuchar, Johnson and Duval will tootle around in.

--Sea Island traffic. With three VC's from the greater Sea Island area, look for less time spent trying to turn into The Cloisters for the M-F evening 50% off Happy Hour!

The only real fun in the announcement press conference--embarrassingly light on attendance and questions since everyone knew who was getting picked and there was nothing new to ask--was Tiger's fun dance around the VC discussion over his selection, reports GolfChannel.com's Nick Menta.

Regarding Duval, who has never been given cart keys before after his criticism over Ryder Cup pay, is now seen as a contributor after his 2016 speech at Hazeltine following an on-air tiff with Brandel Chamblee, as reported by John Feinstein. 

Menta reports on Duval's belief that he can do more than just shuttle WAG's around Le Golf National and actually influence pairings. 

Bryson handled the trio's selfie duties:

‪We’ll see you in Paris!🇺🇸🇺🇸‬

A post shared by Ryder Cup USA (@rydercupusa) on Sep 4, 2018 at 3:05pm PDT

The Only Drama For Furyk: Who Not To Announce (Yet) As His Fourth Captain's Pick?

Tiger's putting has been a little off but he continues to post low scores, Phil just shot 63 and thinks he's found something. He also talking like someone who knows he's going to be picked.

In the non-legend division, Bryson DeChambeau's play has been incredible and needs no further explanation. That leaves Tony Finau as the most likely fourth pick based on his continued strong play, though the chance for a political or golf course driven selection is still out there.

Finau is pretty bullish on his game and chances, writes GolfChannel.com's Will Gray.

Though as we discussed on Morning Drive today, there seems to be consensus about the picks. The only question now: who doesn't get the nod Tuesday at 5 pm ET (Golf Channel) when the first three are announced. The fourth-and-final will come after this week's BMW Championship. 

Europe's Ryder Cup Eight Set, Bjorn Has "One Little Doubt" On Picks

Let the politics begin!

Now that Europe's eight automatic qualifiers have been determined for the 2018 Ryder Cup--and they even gathered for a picture already, imagine that!--we are left to wonder who will fill out the team. 

First, the eight who make it to Paris based on European and World points:

Eight down. Four to go 🇪🇺#TeamEurope #RyderCup pic.twitter.com/B0WrdASPfV

— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) September 2, 2018

Captain Thomas Bjorn has quite the decision before him after Matt Wallace won his third European Tour event of the season, yet is well down both points lists, starting with the European list where he resides several other contenders for a pick:

Same story with the World list:

According to this Sky Sports report, Bjorn is solid on two picks but still has some thinking to do. 

"I'm pretty set on two or three names," Bjorn told Sky Sports. "We've still got a bit of discussion to do and a bit of golf to watch in America over the next few days and then we'll see.

"I'm pretty much there in my head of how I see this team being and how I want to try and mix and match everyone, but there's still one little doubt in my head."

Alistair Tait at Golfweek with more on Wallace, his amazing finish Sunday and the Englishman's unexpected rise in short time. Will it be enough?

Given that Captain Bjorn has emphasized form, it would appear the final pick is down to Sergio Garcia vs. Wallace, Rafa Babrera Bello, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Russell Knox and Eddie Pepperell. Got to go with the three-time winner this year, right?

Made In Denmark Deja Vu All Over Again? Thomas Pieters Is Coming Up On The Ryder Cup Rail

The 2016 Made In Denmark Open winner is back and again on the outside looking in for a Ryder Cup pick. He can't make the team on points but a pick is not out of the question given the suspect play of Sergio Garcia and Henrik Stenson.

Pieters been playing beautifully, briefly snuck into PGA Championship contention Sunday and was a big success story in the 2016 Ryder Cup at Hazeltine. 

Paired the first two days with vice captain Lee Westwood and likely team member Thorbjørn Olesen, Pieters is doing something this week that Stenson and Garcia are not doing in Europe this week before Captain Bjorn makes his picks next Wednesday: playing on the European Tour!

I make my case on today's Alternate Shot for player with the most to gain this week while Jaime Diaz went the PGA Tour Champions route:

DeChambeau, Maybe Finau Making Captain Furyk's Task Easier?

With a four stroke lead, Bryson DeChambeau seems destined to land a Ryder Cup captain's pick even with another week to go. He was the first man outside the eight automatic selections and has had a sensational 2018 season. 

Tony Finau, in third heading toward Sunday's Northern Trust Open final round, continues to bring a consistently strong game no matter the style of course or setup. While Matt Kuchar has the presence and Kevin Kisner/Xander Schauffele may have games more suited to Le Golf National, Rex Hoggard points out for GolfChannel.com how well Finau's audition is going. 

Tony Finau will be in a similar position on Sunday at Ridgewood following a 66 on Day 3 that moved him into a tie for third place at 11 under, five strokes behind DeChambeau.

“To say that I'm not thinking about the Ryder Cup, is definitely not true,” admitted Finau, who was 15th on the final qualifying points list. “But it's not the most important thing right now. I want to play good golf and get myself in contention this week. If it continues to prove to the captain and to the guys that make the picks that I'm worthy of a spot, then that's the case.”

Because of task force politics there will always be intrigue in the four picks, but it sure looks like the Captain's pick portion of the job is getting easy. 

Oh and we all know who the other picks will be. 

Best European Team On Paper Update: Olesen Jumps Ahead Of Poulter, Casey

I'm not sure if the best European Ryder Cup team on paper remains so in Monty's mind after this week's move by Thorbjorn Olesen, but we have time to mull! At least on current form, however, getting Olesen on the team appears to be a positive. Particularly since Captain Thomas Bjorn has already said he will be hard-pressed to pick his fellow countryman for fear of looking biased.

Will Gray reports for GolfChannel.com on Olesen's second place in the Nordea Masters boosting his spot on the World Points list and within shouting distance of Tommy Fleetwood on the European Points list.

Even if Olesen fails to qualify automatically for Paris, the 28-year-old continues to bolster his credentials for a possible pick from his countryman, Bjorn. Olesen won the Italian Open in June, finished second at the BMW International Open three weeks later and has now compiled four top-12 finishes over his last five worldwide starts including a T-3 result at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational earlier this month.

Also on the outside looking in: Henrik Stenson and Sergio Garcia. 

The Open Muddles U.S. Ryder Cup Picture...In A Good Way

With only three weeks until the U.S. Ryder Cup team's first 8 spots are finalized, GolfChannel.com's Rex Hoggard points out the issues facing Captain Jim Furyk in rounding out the team. Strong play at The Open by Xander Schauffele and Kevin Kisner have them in the picture, particularly given the anticipated setup of Le Golf National. Kisner's play in last year's Presidents Cup might give him an edge as well.

Kevin Kisner, who finished second at The Open and is finding his form at the perfect time, could be a good fit, as could Brian Harman, another fairways-and-greens type whose reputation as a fierce competitor would fit in well with Furyk’s no-nonsense approach. Kisner and Harman rank 13th and 15th on the U.S. points, respectively.

Given his play at Carnoustie, Furyk will also give Xander Schauffele (No. 11), the reigning PGA Tour Rookie of the Year who also finished runner-up last week in Scotland, a close look; and Zach Johnson (No. 18), a veteran on five U.S. Ryder Cup teams, would be a popular addition to the team room.

Needless to say, but TIger's play at The Open would seem to have locked up a spot if he does not make the team on points. 

The 2018 Ryder Cup Course Is Showing A Bias You Won't Believe (At Least If You're Of A Certain Vintage)

If you're of a certain vintage, you'll remember it wasn't long ago U.S. Ryder Cup captains wanted narrower fairways and thick rough to reward their more accurate-driving group while penalizing the swashbuckling Euros. 

Those who recall that line of course setup-thinking will get a nice chuckle reading Alistair Tait's look at what the Europeans have previewed at Le Golf National last week in advance of this fall's Ryder Cup. 

“The old theory is tight and scruffy,” said Graeme McDowell, one of Bjorn’s five vice captains and a two-time French Open winner. “I paced off the width of the seventh fairway at 270 yards off the tee, and it was only 18 yards wide.

“They (the U.S.) set their courses up wide with semi-rough and middle-of-the-green pins for a birdie fest. We always like to set it up a little tighter and a little tougher and maybe not having the greens quite as fast. Does it (Le Golf National) favor our guys more than theirs? We think it does.”

Maybe No One Needs To Scout The Ryder Cup Venue Because There Isn't That Much To Study?

With Le Golf National hosting and only Justin Thomas playing the French Open to scout out the course, this naturally opened the doors to pre-Ryder Cup chit-chat. 

There's also the calendar, which suggests we only have a little over eight weeks to figure out who will be teeing it up. 

I'm most struck, however, by the shock and sadness that only Thomas made the voyage to search for deep, hidden mystery on the grounds. As if this were the French's best Old Course impersonator. 

Thomas, as respectfully as possible, explained how Ryder Cup week scouting will be enough for most players. From Alistair Tait's Golfweek item on Thomas playing this week:

“It’s a great test of golf,” Thomas said. “It’s all right in front of you. It’s not like there’s any hidden tricks or anything like that.”

And as Captain Thomas Bjorn noted in this item by Tait, he doesn't plan to get carried away with trying to create some sort of European advantage. 

“It’s not particularly much narrower than it’s ever been,” Bjorn said. “It’s pretty much where it’s always been. Once you have great golf courses like this one, you’ve got to be careful you don’t overthink it and overdo it too much in the sense of that’s the golf course that’s there, that’s the course they’ve got to go out and play.

I've never seen the course but over the years it has never exuded a sense of rewarding great local knowledge or experience. 

Now if the Europeans really wanted a home course advantage, the Old Course sure would make for a fun Ryder Cup venue!

The French Really Know How To Get Us Excited For The Ryder Cup!

Michael Lorenzo-Vera

As the European Tour visits this Le Golf National this week and site of the Ryder Cup this fall, the New York Times' John Clarke interviews 33-year-old Michael Lorenzo-Vera about the state of French golf.

His honesty is refreshing, but it also suggests a hoped-for boost to French golf has not yet materialized as hoped.

If you say to people in France that you play golf, they will say: “No, but really. What’s your real job?” Golf is not a good thing here. It’s for rich people and spoiled kids. That’s the image we have. Actually, we are trying to work on that. People like Alex Lévy are trying to make the game look more fun. But it’s a lot of work. I am just trying to be really nice to everyone.

Nice is good, nice is good.

What do the French think about hosting the Ryder Cup at Le Golf National?

People don’t care about the Ryder Cup. Honestly, nobody knows there’s going to be a Ryder Cup in France. Only the golfers know. That’s it. There won’t be many French there. There will be so many more from England or Spain. Golf is a very private thing for people in France. Private courses for only rich families or rich people — that’s it.

Well, but the food will be amazing!

Captain Furyk Plans Pre-Open Championship Scouting Trip, But Who Will Show Up?

Ewan Murray considers Jim Furyk's plan for a pre-Open trip to the Ryder Cup venue and wonders if a repeat of Tom Watson's shockingly unsuccessful effort at Gleneagles is likely.

As Murray notes, going before the Open will test the strength of Team USA's now-vaunted bond, possibly leaving the captains to do the scouting on their own. But even Mr. Team USA and future captain Tiger should probably be getting in some links golf instead of some inland aerial play.

Tiger Woods traditionally appears at the Open course for practice from the pre-tournament Saturday but has already been named as one of the USA’s vice-captains. Woods retains hopes of making a playing appearance in France. Eyebrows would be raised if Woods puts his Open bid before his role within Furyk’s backroom staff.

Phil Mickelson routinely plays in the Scottish Open but there has been no confirmation yet relating to that, just as the John Deere cast list has been slow to emerge. Rickie Fowler won the Scottish Open the last time it was at Gullane in 2015. Justin Thomas, the world No 1, has committed to playing at Le Golf National in the French Open next month.

Perhaps the real question: with three to four practice rounds, how much scouting becomes too much scouting? Especially since Europe will still have a huge home course advantage in the local knowledge department.