Tiger shutting it down

[Dr. Jason Stockton]

Ryder Cup Standings after the U.S. Open

2 Phil MICKELSON 4419.030
3 Stewart CINK 3826.065
4 Jim FURYK 3188.804
5 Justin LEONARD 3053.666
6 Boo WEEKLEY 2591.545
7 Kenny PERRY 2532.100
8 Anthony KIM 2339.310
9 Brandt SNEDEKER 2088.287
10 Steve STRICKER 2088.082
11 Zach JOHNSON 2046.291
12 Jeff QUINNEY 2013.587
13 D.J. TRAHAN 1997.886

1 Lee WESTWOOD 216.12
2 Miguel Angel JIMéNEZ 174.86
3 Robert KARLSSON 169.93
4 Justin ROSE 165.25
5 Sergio GARCIA 163.70
6 Henrik STENSON 158.22
7 Padraig HARRINGTON 135.82
8 Luke DONALD 134.66
9 Daniel CHOPRA 121.25
10 Martin KAYMER 118.45
11 Ian POULTER 109.20
12 Oliver WILSON 108.40

Obviously, only the top-10 are guaranteed spots. . .and I really doubt that Quinney or Trahan will get a captain's pick without finding their way into the top-10.

But looking at these two squads, I see no reason why the U.S. wouldn't have a chance against the Euros on our home turf.

I love Zinger as the U.S. Captain, but Mr. Faldo will certainly be able to rally the Euros as well.

Maybe without Tiger the boys will rally and pick up their own games? Tiger, as great as he is, is not the best "team player" in the world. I'm not knocking the guy for that. . .you certainly can't blame him for our losses - he plays in a sport where he is more on an island than any other athlete in the world. . .

In his five Ryder Cup appearances, the Tiger is 10-13-2. Between four ball, foursomes, and singles matches, he only has a winning record as a singles player.

I know this sounds crazy, but could his absence help the Americans? The U.S. is 1-4 with Tiger in the lineup, so it certainly couldn't get much worse.

Just more food for thought. The U.S. needs another Payne Stewart - what a great Ryder Cup Captain he would have been. . .maybe his best friend Zinger can bring a little of Payne's magic back for the U.S.

[Dr. Jason Stockton]

Ryder Cup records of the past. . .to extend the discussion

Jack Nicklaus 17-8-3
Arnold Palmer 22-8-2

[KnoxVegas]

You don't even give the U.S. a puncher's chance at Valhalla? Beyond the usual suspects (Phil, Furyk, etc.). . . do you think a few gritty veterans and 40-somethings like Austin, Perry (captain's picks?) with a few of the young talent like AK and Weekley have a chance?

None. Top 8 that are selected with four captain's picks. The format changed this time around to be like the European team.

Mediate got this high based on his performance last week. Look for him to fall back. Now Azinger can go outside of this group of course and choose any golfer he wants. Maybe Jay Haas or Loren Roberts are selected. Both have been doing every well on the Champions Tour. Don't look for that though.

We have long debated this at work. American golfers seem to be content finishing in the Top Ten each week and making heaps of cash on top of their endorsement money. There is no one who wants to win each week, like Tiger does. But the US team now is in a Win-Win situation. If they win, then they triumphed without their best player. If they lose, then they lost because they did not have their best player.

[laxfan25]

The thing in the Ryder Cup is that the Europeans actually like each other and truly play as a team. It's frustrating, but the camaraderie is apparent when they're out there.

[Dr. Jason Stockton]

None. Top 8 that are selected with four captain's picks. The format changed this time around to be like the European team.

Thanks for the clarification. I forgot about that change. That gives Zinger more leeway to select better team players, so I think that change will help the U.S. . .at least I hope it will.

[KnoxVegas]

No worries. Here's hoping we win.

[Ryan Hanavan]

No worries. Here's hoping we win.

Any picks on favorites for The Open and PGA? The door is open for Ernie who wants to reach the #1 spot. Will Phil, or anyone else bump Tiger from #1?

The Ryder Cup should be interesting. Who are the picks? We might have to look past ranking and really shake it up to have a chance.

[Dr. Jason Stockton]

Any picks on favorites for The Open and PGA? The door is open for Ernie who wants to reach the #1 spot. Will Phil, or anyone else bump Tiger from #1?

Tiger's lead is so gigantic I don't think there is any way Phil or anyone else catches him. He already won 5 times this year, and had a huge lead at the start of the year. . .not likely any other player will log 5 wins this year, even without Tiger.

I see a Euro taking down The Open. . .maybe Sergio breaks through or Justin Rose???

And in the PGA, I think it will be a first time winner. . .so many young talents that could do it like Anthony Kim, Ryan Moore, Aaron Baddelly. . .someone like that I think.

[KnoxVegas]

The Open: Lee Westwood

PGA Championship: Adam Scott

[Ryan Hanavan]

Jason, isn't Ryan Moore your boy? I like all the picks.

I'd like to see Baddelly win a major. I like the Lee Westwood pick too. I think this US Open left a bad taste in hist mouth and he has the game to get it done in a major. I'd also like to see Andres Romero back in the hunt.

I'm not so sure about Sergio any more. Same with Adam Scott and Luke Donald. Although I route for Scott and Donald all the time. Sergio's putter just never comes around.

I'll go Romero for The Open and Weekley for the PGA.