Ryder Cup Rosters Offer Intrigue

We are all set for the Ryder Cup later this month at Whistling Straits. Captain Steve Stricker announced his Captain’s Picks and it tells me he’s serious about winning this year. Here are some of the more interesting storyline emerging this week.

Chemistry Matters

With Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau separated, likely by necessity, there was still the matter of Patrick Reed.

Reed is a Ryder Cup veteran, loves the spotlight, and finished the season high enough to be a Captain’s pick based on the OWGR.

It didn’t happen. Reed was passed over for Scottie Scheffler, a Ryder Cup Rookie.

This would be shocking but for one well documented fact. No one likes Patrick Reed. He’s abrasive, has questionable ethics on the course, and generally sucks the air out of every room he’s in.

There seems little doubt that Reed would be the wiser, more dependable choice based on golf alone. Stricker, by leaving Reed off the team, has clearly signaled chemistry and personality count.

He does have one excuse. Scheffler is a par-4 birdie machine. He ranks 7th on Tour this season.

Rookies vs. Veterans

Scheffler, Daniel Berger, Xander Schauffele, and Harris English will all be making their Ryder Cup debuts. Only English is in his 30s, signaling this might be the next wave of Ryder Cup stalwarts making their audition.

Team Europe, on the other hand, looks to be an experienced and tested side. Their Captains picks will likely come from an impressive list of Ryder Cup veterans including Ian Poulter, Sergio Garcia, Henrik Stenson, Francesco Molinari, or Justin Rose.

The contrast in approaches is striking. Team USA knows it has to shake things up to capture the Cup. Team Europe hopes their veteran squad will help them secure their 5th Ryder Cup in the last six contests.

The Sunday singles match pairings will be fascinating to see. If Team USA is down going into Singles, multiple rookies will have to step up.

Whistling Straits will be a star

Every year the “Best Courses in the World” lists come out and I’m predictably shocked Whistling Straits isn’t in the Top 10.

The course is notable for looking like it was transplanted from the Ayrshire coast in Scotland. While not a true links course, it has many of those qualities. It’s got 1,000 bunkers littered across 18 holes. That’s not an exaggeration. It actually has 1,000 bunkers.

It’s also built along the water where the wind and rolling dunes affect every shot. It will look very comforting to the Europeans who play similar courses throughout their season.

But it’s in Wisconsin, home state of Captain Stricker. The US crowds will be wild having been kept away most of the last year with COVID restrictions. It’s going to be a madhouse.

I believe Whistling Straits will burnish its reputation this Ryder Cup and we will see more competitions brought there in the future.

And if you aren’t familiar with the 17th and 18th holes at Whistling Straits, just know that they are perfect stages for creating Ryder Cup drama and magic.

Assistant Captains Mickelson and Couples add a wrinkle

No American player has more Ryder Cup matches under their belt than Phil Mickelson. He’s the King of Ryder Cups. He knows the competition better than anyone.

And he loves competition and talking trash. I would bet dollars to donuts he’ll trash talk the Europeans more than any actual team member.

Fred Couples on the other hand is casual and laid back. But everyone who knows him speaks of his competitive streak.

These Assistant Captains are not honorary appointments. They are there to light a fire, spread their love of the Cup to the younger players, and keep things loose.

I hope someone records Phil’s pep talk to the team. I imagine he’s got a stemwinder to fire them up. Stricker will be the calm hand on the wheel and Mickelson will be hanging out the back window yelling at the passing patrons.

Reporters are sure to have a notebook full of ‘Philisms’ after this week.