Ryder Cup Watch
The places are all settled now and my guesses proved correct, though hardly unexpected. The Europeans are favourites at 4-6 and certainly look the stronger side. I do regard Tiger Woods as no loss but Dustin Johnson, for all his problems, is one of the world’s best and will be missed. Let’s take a little look at the lesser known European names.
Stephen Gallacher has had a wonderful year winning early on in Dubai and playing consistent golf. He merits his place but one wonders with the referendum round the corner, as is Gleneagles to his home, whether this affected the decision too. He will be very popular with the home crowd as was his uncle Bernard. Jamie Donaldson at 38 is one year younger but again has played well and is right up there at Crans this weekend though these Alpine courses are rarely challenging. The final rookie is Victor Dubuisson. The asset of Dubuisson, just 23, is he looks good – and is good – in the highest company and in the most testing events. He records top ten finishers in the the Open and US Open. Most crucially in a field of the world’s best in the Accenture Matchplay he reached the final to lose after a spirited display to Jason Day. The European weakness will be that the wild cards Westwood and Poulter are out of form and picked for their previous experience. On the contrary the 3 Americans Keegan Bradley, Webb Simpson and Hunter Mahan are all in fine form. My concern for Dubuisson will be his partner. The French golfers Bourdy, Wattel, Levy and Jaquelin tend to stick together and without them Dubuisson may be a loner and miffed if not selected. I would pick him with an effusive character like Sergio Garcia, Rory will play with GMac and Justin Rose with Ian Poulter .
I have not formulated my betting strategy. I often refer to my own incompetence but last time I pleaded bad luck. I had correctly calculated the US points but Tiger’s decision to concede when he had just to sink an easy putt cost me my bet. I never forgave him and cursed him. He has never recovered.
