2014 Ryder Cup: Potential American Pairings

The 2014 Ryder Cup is almost upon us as we are just over a week a way before play begins over in Gleneagles. So, let’s take a look at the American side and see how they may match up. Here are some potential pairings we may see from the American side.

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Bubba Watson & Webb Simpson

As Tom Watson stated during the press conference, he made his final decision because of 5 & 4 and 5 & 4. That was the score of the two wins Bubba Watson and Webb Simpson put up against Paul Lawrie/Peter Hanson and Justin Rose/Francesco Molinari.

Phil Mickelson & Keegan Bradley

The other dynamic duo that you can bet will be paired up is this one. Like Webb Simpson, Keegan Bradley had the inside track on getting a captain’s pick because of his success in the 2012 Ryder Cup. He and Phil Mickelson put on an absolutely thrilling show. Mickelson and Bradley won all three of their matches and they won ’em by scores of: 4 & 3, 2 & 1, and 7 & 6.

Look for Mickelson/Bradley to go up against whomever Ian Poulter is paired up with at least once. And if that happens it will be must watch T.V.

Matt Kuchar & Jimmy Walker

You can pretty much guarantee that the top two groups will happen. This is where things could get interesting and go a few different ways. But, for me, I like the pair of Kuchar and J-Walk.

Going back to the 2012 Ryder Cup, Kuchar and Dustin Johnson was a good pairing. When you look at Kuchar and Dustin Johnson they have that yin and yang. Kuchar is good off the tee, but a bit shorter than most. Dustin Johnson was able to make that up with his length and if it’s the rough, Kuchar could scramble with the best of them.

So, with Kuchar pairing him with someone that plays like Dustin Johnson and that would be Jimmy Walker. Walker hits it long and high, plus he’s inexperienced. You’d like to pair him up with someone with experience in Ryder Cup situations like Kuchar. The more I look at this pairing the more I like it.

With that said, look for Rickie Fowler and Jimmy Walker to be paired up. That looks like the favorite right now due to the fact that they’ve played a few practice rounds and they have that chemistry. Which I could definitely see and I think would be a great pairing, but I like Kuchar and Walker. Their respective styles seem to gel really well.

Aug 18, 2013; Greensboro, NC, USA; Patrick Reed (left) shakes hands with Jordan Spieth (right) on the 10th green after winning the Wyndham Championship at Sedgefield Country Club. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports

Jordan Spieth & Patrick Reed

Now, pairing two golfers with no Ryder Cup experience isn’t exactly ideally, but Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed are different animals. These are two golfers that have a lot of fire in their bellies and I believe will thrive under the pressure.

Plus, Reed isn’t exactly the most likeable guy on Tour so pairing him with someone could prove to be difficult. But Spieth and Reed seem to have a good chemistry with each other. Their both young guys and they’ve played together before, including that thrilling conclusion to the Wyndham Championship a year ago.

I think things could get wild. This could potentially be the group that makes or breaks things for Team U.S.A…..of course that’s assuming they actually do get paired up which is no guarantee.

Right now, it seems as though there could be a potential Zach Johnson/Jordan Spieth pairing as they’ve played some practice rounds together.

In fact, they faced off versus Fowler and Walker in a practice round at the BMW Championship. But, I look at the rest of the golfers and I don’t see anyone else that could really fit with Patrick Reed. Maybe Hunter Mahan who is very flexible and can play with anybody, but Spieth teamed with Reed really stands out for me.

Rickie Fowler & Jim Furyk

Jim Furyk can play with anybody and has a lot of experience playing in the Ryder Cup. While experience is great, a 9-17-4 isn’t. Furyk’s struggles have come via the flat stick, if he can play with a partner that can sink a few putts then he may have movement on the left side of his record.

That’s what someone like Rickie Fowler brings to the table. Fowler can sink those putts when he needs to and he brings nice poise and composure. I think Tom Watson will have to pair Furyk with someone who can sink that pressure putt. Whether that be Fowler or maybe even Zach Johnson.

Hunter Mahan & Zach Johnson

Zach Johnson has been a great Ryder Cup player the U.S. Johnson has a record of 6-4-1 in the Ryder Cup and most of his playing partners over the years aren’t here. The only golfer that he has played with that is on this year’s team is Hunter Mahan. Johnson and Mahan have complied a 1-1 record, so nothing really to write home about, but there is familiarity there.

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