The golfing weekend/ Ryder Cup
After a lucklustre Masters I was pleased to be back on track with a winner, Jon Rahm, in the Spanish Open and a couple of places in the Heritage, Bryson DeChambeau and Patrick Cantlay. This was won after a play-off by the Japanese Sotoshi Kodario.
I’m a big fan of Jon Rahm but so are others hence his skinny price. His power game saw off the challenge of Irishman Paul Dunne, a contender for the Ryder Cup, and Spaniard Nacho Ellvira who hit the drink on the 17th. Rahm did not fare so well on the dancing floor but his lengthy drives ensured an easy chip to the green.
In the Heritage Ian Poulter had a top ten finish. How good to see his game reviving with the Ryder Cup only 5 months away.
His form frees up captain Bjorn for some crucial personal picks. At the moment Paul Casey, Sergio Garcia, Tommy Fleetwood, Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Justin Rose and Henrik Stensen all look nailed-on so for the other 5 places he will consider Rafa Cabrera Bello, Francisco Molinari, Bernard Wiesberger, Martin Kaymer, Andy Sullivan, Matt Fitzpatrick and Alex Levy who all state a case.
As for the Americans they have the 4 major winners, Brooks Koepka, Patrick Reed, Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas plus Ricky Fowler, Phil Mickelson and Dustin Thomas. Their pool of candidates for the remaining places numbers Zach Johnson, Brian Harman, Webb Simpson, Charley Hoffman, Patton Kizzire, Luke List, Daniel Berger, Brendan Steele , Patrick Cantlay and Bud Cauley. It’s easier to predict the competitors than the result but I believe the USA has the stronger players and will retain the trophy.
