Just listening to the opening ceremony. The crowd reactions are spine-tingling already. This really is a great sporting event. I think it will be very close, but the Europeans' knowledge of the course might swing it.
On paper the Americans should win easily, and I think they would if this was in the US, but as you say it’s a great event and the crowd plays a huge part in it.
Should be a cracking three days as weather forecast is good. All down to who can handle the pressure best but I make the Yanks slight favourites based on form, Garcia, Stenson & Poulter have been off the boil most of the year yet are captain's picks for their previous experience, they have to find form as all the Yanks bar Mickelson are in form...
Not able to watch today, but listening to the radio commentary. Sounds like there's been some scrappy golf this morning, with holes lost to pars, which really shouldn't happen in fourballs. Three holes in a row for Casey and Hatton to get back to all-square from three down, and now Fleetwood and Molinari back to all-square from two down. Mcilroy and Olesen look doomed, but Rose and Rahm ahead. All very close.
All square after the first four matches would be a good start for Europe. Interesting to see if Garcia and Poulter get to play this afternoon. Talismen but out of form.
Working from home today, with a decent stream of the golf - Rose throws away his match putting it into the water, after leading most of the match. McIlroys' play has been poor. Yanks currently 2-0 up, and ahead in one match still going - looks like we'll be headed into foursomes 1-3 down.
Yep. Need a good afternoon. Once teams get a roll going in this competition it’s very hard to peg them back, and I fancy the US to take the singles on Sunday, unless their morale is low by that stage.
I was out in Versailles the other day and was surprised to cycle past a long line of vans containing Gendarmerie suited up and ready for battle. Then cycled past the Trianon Palace Hotel and realised the teams are all staying there.
The Europeans seem to do better at Foursomes, so will be hopeful of ending the day all square. Up in 2 and down in one at the moment.
It’s not often I disagree with you sooper but several of the American team have been out of form recently, Spieth, Bubba, DJ, Michelson and Fowler have all been struggling with different issues recently. Home advantage is huge but will only be key if the wind picks up significantly. All golf matches come down to one thing, putting. And the Americans have better putters than us.
Very strange choice by Furyk to pair the rookie DeChambeau with the erratic Mickelson in a foursome. They're currently 5 down to Garcia and Noren after 7 holes! I'm delighted though, because I have this: Single To Win Bryson DeChambeau & Phil Mickelson Both To Win 0 Points @16/1 Hopefully they'll be so shell-shocked, they won't get picked at all tomorrow. Europe up in all 4 matches at the moment
I get that from the older guys and wouldn’t expect to see Reed in the foursomes either but surprised by Thomas/Spieth in particular.
That will send them back to the clubhouse with their tail between their legs - got to go for the jugular tomorrow and get a real lead up - the crowd will help, atmosphere looks and sounds amazing
Just heard a US commentator on the wireless, really ripping into the US foursomes, especially Mickleson and the other bloke. He reckoned that Speith/Reed is their strongest pairing but that Speith won’t play with Reed for some reason. Excellent.
Well pleased to see it 5-3 after this morning. Haven't seen any play but reports seem to say the Yanks completely folded this afternoon. There are a few problems with some of their team regarding Watson and Reed and you wonder whether the foursomes will be their downfall. Tiger maintains his abysmal record in this competition, I was going to comment after his win last week that it was against a field of 30 in total with no halfway cut, agreeable tee times and a 'target golf' course, I'm yet to be convinced by his 'second coming'...
