2018 Ryder Cup Preview and Predictions

2018 Ryder Cup Preview

What a finish to the FedEx Cup season! Eldrick Woods went full 1990’s Tiger on the field, to win by a mile (sorry Billy Horschel, but the beat down felt a lot worse than 2-strokes). In other news, Justin Rose was crowned as the year-long FedEx Cup champion, despite not winning a 2018 Major, WGC event or a FedEx Cup Playoff event. 14 Top-10 finishes in 19 PGA Tour events definitely helped his FedEx Cup ranking.

It’s a short celebration for Woods and Rose, as the Tour travels across the pond to Paris, France for a 3-day (Friday-Sunday) golf competition. The United States battles Europe, with teams being assembled based on world golf rankings and 4 captain picks per team. These are 24 of the best golfers in the world going head-to-head in singles and doubles competition, this is going to be fun.

The 2016 Ryder Cup was dominated by the United States on their home soil, claiming victory 17-11 over Team Europe at Hazeltine GC in Minnesota. The US swept the opening foursome (alternating shot) competition and never relinquished that 4-0 lead. Patrick Reed, Brooks Koepka, and Brandt Snedeker were the top point earners for the US squad in 2016. The US is looking for its 1st back-to-back Ryder Cup since 1991/1993. Additionally, 1993 was the last time that the US won the Ryder Cup on European soil. Europe has dominated the Ryder Cup recently, winning 6 of the last 8 going back to 2002.

Ryder Cup Rosters

  United States

Team USA has 3 first-timers: Thomas, DeChambeau, and Finau. Thomas is one of the best golfers in the world, currently ranked 4th. Finau and DeChambeau are playing the best golf of their young careers, and will be a welcomed addition to this loaded roster. Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson are likely the most recognizable faces on Team USA, but the US team boasts 6 golfers in the top-10 of the World Golf Rankings (Johnson 1, Koepka 3, Thomas 4, DeChambeau 7, Fowler 9, Speith 10). Despite these high rankings, only 4 US team members have a winning record in Ryder Cup competition (Reed, Koepka, Speith, and Johnson). Patrick Reed has been a lightning rod for Team USA the past 2 Ryder Cups, boasting an incredible 6-1-2 record.

Europe

Europe boasts 5 rookies for the 2018 Ryder Cup, headlined by world number 8 Jon Rahm. Fleetwood, Noren, Hatton and Olesen are the other newcomers. Justin Rose and Rory McIlroy are the most recognizable members of Team Europe, and both are playing extremely well. Ian Poulter has the best winning percentage on Team Europe, with a record of 12-4-2 in 5 Ryder Cups. 5 other golfers boast a winning-record in Ryder Cup competition (Rose, Garcia, McIlroy, Casey and Stenson). The Europeans are extremely familiar with this course, with Alex Noren and Tommy Fleetwood each posessing a win at Le Golf National. Francesco Molinari has 2 runner-ups and Team Europe has many top-10 finishes during European tour events at Le Golf National.

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Ryder Cup Course Preview

Le Golf National is a 7,183 yard par-71 designed by Hubert Chesneau and Robert Von Hagge. The course is a links-ish tract with plenty of fescue rough and swirling wind. The course is not extremely long, but narrow fairways and elevated greens make it a difficult test. The golf course requires golfers to be precise off the tee, placing a heavy premium on fairway vs thick primary rough or fescue. An example of this is the 18th hole. From the tee box of the 471 yard par-4 an expanse of water boarders the narrow fairway to your left. To your right are sand traps surrounded by thick fescue rough. The hole hugs the water, slightly doglegging left until the fairway disappears and a large island green is visible. What a terrifying way to end a round.

The entire course is set up as a ball-strikers paradise. Precise execution off-the-tee is imperative so that golfers’ are set up to attack the green on their second shot. The greens will be slow with subtle bumps and burrows  designed to frustrate.

Le Golf National has hosted the Open de France 26 times, with the winning score ranging from -5 to -17. This year, Alex Noren (-7) fended off fellow European Ryder Cup members (Rahm -5, Garcia -4, Hatton -2, Poulter -1, Fleetwood +5, Olesen +7) as well as Justin Thomas (-4) of Team USA. The Open de France takes place 3 weeks before The Open Championship.

Ryder Cup Format

Friday Morning: 4 Alternating Shot Matches

Friday Afternoon: 4 Fourball (Better Ball) Matches

Saturday Morning: 4 Fourball (Better Ball) Matches

Saturday Afternoon: 4 Alternating Shot Matches

Sunday: 12 Singles Matches

Ryder Cup Pick

Current Vegas odds have the United States as a -135 favorite. There is no doubt in anyone’s mind that the United States roster is superior to that of Europe. The entire US rosters ranks in the top-25 (11/12 in the top-17) in the World Golf Rankings. Compare that to Team Europe, which has only 8 golfers in the top-25. Team USA may have more skill, but Team Europe is definitely more familiarity with the golf course and has a home-turf advantage. The US has a tall task ahead of them, seeking to win their first Ryder Cup on European soil since 1993. This is going to be a close one! If you are a betting man, think about taking the tie.

My Pick: US 14.5, Europe 13.5

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