Ryder Cup 2016 - South China Morning Post

U.S Captain Jim Furyk tweaks Ryder Cup selection process to put emphasis on form

Thu, 09 Feb 2017 05:28:50 +0000

US Ryder Cup captain Jim Furyk tweaked the selection criteria for the 2018 Ryder Cup against Europe by placing a premium on in-form players. A points system used to determine eight automatic qualifiers has remained largely intact, but a change has been made in how many points are awarded during the Ryder Cup year as well as the timing of the captain’s picks. Furyk will make three of his captain’s picks following the 2018 Dell Technologies Championship, the second of four FedEx Cup play-off...

‘Cretins’ and ‘dim Yanks’: my brother was right about US Ryder Cup fans, says Danny Willett

Tue, 04 Oct 2016 04:05:09 +0000

Masters champion Danny Willett took a parting shot at American fans on Monday as he claimed his brother Peter’s controversial comments were proved right by their behaviour during the Ryder Cup. Peter Willett described American fans as a “baying mob of imbeciles”, “cretins” and “dim Yanks” just before the USA’s 17-11 victory over Europe. Danny Willett said before the start of play that it was “a bad article written at a bad time”, but his jibes fired up American supporters, who taunted members of...

Europe hotshot Rory McIlroy has no Ryder Cup regrets after playing pantomime villain at Hazeltine

Mon, 03 Oct 2016 02:41:04 +0000

Spurred on by heckling from the US crowd, Rory McIlroy bared his teeth at the 2016 Ryder Cup and formed a one-two punch with Thomas Pieters before finally running out steam on Sunday. World number three McIlroy had been the most determined European player all week at Hazeltine National, but an 18-hole singles battle against America’s top player Patrick Reed took every ounce of energy he had. “I am running on fumes,” McIlroy told reporters following Europe’s 17-11 loss to the US in the 41st...

Tears flow as emotional United States win Ryder Cup at Hazeltine to finally end losing streak

Mon, 03 Oct 2016 00:23:50 +0000

Ryan Moore ended a long wait for US Ryder Cup redemption when he clinched a rousing win over Europe at Hazeltine on Sunday, beating Lee Westwood to allow the Americans to reclaim the golden trophy in golf’s top team competition. With Westwood in for bogey at the 18th, Moore rolled his birdie putt to within one foot and the tap-in was conceded to seal a 1-up win and clinch a 15-10 lead for the United States, with 14 1/2 points required for their victory. Teammates, families and friends poured out...

Ryder Cup redemption in sight: Team USA hoping to avenge the ‘Miracle at Medinah’

Sun, 02 Oct 2016 03:01:39 +0000

The Americans will be looking for redemption at the Ryder Cup on Sunday after their heartbreaking loss four years ago at Medinah, the last time the biennial event was played on US soil. USA captain Davis Love knows what it’s like to win two Ryder Cups but he also remembers standing on the green in 2012 in Chicago and watching Europe beat Team USA by matching the greatest comeback in Ryder Cup history. The 52-year-old Love served as USA team captain when Europe rallied to win 14 1/2-13 1/2 in the...

US stretches Ryder Cup lead as Rory McIlroy rips hecklers on difficult day two for Team Europe

Sun, 02 Oct 2016 02:49:19 +0000

Moving closer to their first Ryder Cup victory since 2008, the United States captured Saturday’s three final four-ball matches to seize a 9 1/2 - 6 1/2 edge over Europe. Heckling crowds that Europe star Rory McIlroy says have gone over the top with insults at Hazeltine were delighted as the Americans put themselves in prime position to snap a three-edition losing streak in the biennial team golf showdown. “We always get criticised – we don’t bond as a team, we don’t have enough passion – and...

Heart and desire: trailing Europe tries to build on Ryder Cup momentum

Sat, 01 Oct 2016 09:59:01 +0000

Europe will try to capitalise on momentum from an impressive fightback against leaders United States, at the Ryder Cup on Saturday, with Rory McIlroy out to avenge a last-hole loss. The United States lead Europe 5-3 entering Saturday’s four morning alternate shot foursomes and four afternoon four-ball matches at Hazeltine, where the biennial team golf event concludes with 12 singles matches on Sunday. Europe have won three in a row, six of the past seven and eight of the last 10 Cup showdowns,...

Watch: Would you step up to the Ryder Cup challenge?

Sat, 01 Oct 2016 06:00:15 +0000

Spectator David Johnson heckled members of the Europe team following numerous attempts to hole a putt during a practice round, so Justin Rose challenged the US fan to do better for US$100 ... That was a magnificent performance from Henrik Stenson. Perhaps someone's been giving him tips... ⛳️#RyderCup https://t.co/WggTzehO1G — BBC Sport (@BBCSport) September 30, 2016 “I closed my eyes, hit the putt and it happened to go in,” Johnson said. Has the...

Fired-up McIlroy leads Europe fightback as US cling to 5-3 Ryder Cup lead

Sat, 01 Oct 2016 02:45:49 +0000

Rory McIlroy took a bow before hostile fans after completing a European fightback Friday at the Ryder Cup, but the United States still led 5-3 thanks to a foursomes whitewash. The Americans, losers of three in a row and eight of the past 10 meetings in the biennial team golf rivalry, swept the opening session for the first time since 1975 for a 4-0 morning edge at Hazeltine. But Europe answered by taking the afternoon four-ball matches 3-1 with McIlroy sinking a dramatic eagle putt to lift the...

Europe rallies in Ryder Cup after US sweeps opening foursomes

Fri, 30 Sep 2016 17:40:26 +0000

Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson inspired a bold fightback by holders Europe in Friday afternoon’s fourball matches before the United States ended a gripping first day at the Ryder Cup with a 5-3 lead. Badly bruised after being swept 4-0 by the Americans in the morning’s foursomes at Hazeltine National, the Europeans showed great strength of character as they won the second session 3-1 with some sparkling golf in dazzling afternoon sunshine. England’s Olympic champion Rose and British Open winner...

What time does the 2016 Ryder Cup start in Hong Kong? And how can I watch it on TV?

Fri, 30 Sep 2016 03:45:30 +0000

This year’s Ryder Cup gets underway on Friday (September 30) night in Hong Kong. Excitement is reaching fever pitch for the 41st edition of the biennial match-up between select European and USA teams. USA are well fancied to win this year’s Cup on their home patch. It would be their first title since 2008 and they are favourites with the bookmakers at $2.25 for the outright win. The bookies are offering odds of $3 for Europe to maintain their hold on the Cup. Europe are looking for a fourth...

Brother’s rant did not affect Danny Willett’s Ryder Cup foursomes omission, says captain Clarke

Fri, 30 Sep 2016 02:26:13 +0000

Very rarely is a reigning major champion benched for the opening session of a Ryder Cup, but Masters winner Danny Willett found himself in exactly that position at Hazeltine National on Thursday. Though Willett was a notable absentee from the pairings for Friday’s foursomes matches, Europe captain Darren Clarke said his omission had nothing to do with the off-course furore sparked earlier in the week by the player’s brother, Pete. “No, it’s a little bit of cat-and-mouse whenever you put pairings...

The golden couple: Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson set to open Ryder Cup against Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed

Fri, 30 Sep 2016 01:58:12 +0000

Europe’s Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson will face Americans Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed in Friday’s opening Ryder Cup foursomes match, a showdown of two unbeaten duos from the 2014 event. Europe seeks an unprecedented fourth victory in a row over the host United States at Hazeltine. The Europeans have won six of the past seven and eight of the last 10 meetings in the biennial team golf rivalry. England’s Rose, who won the first Olympic title in 112 years last month, and Sweden’s Stenson, the...

Lefty lets ’em have it: Mickelson bashes another Ryder Cup captain as he says US team are prepared this time

Thu, 29 Sep 2016 06:51:54 +0000

Phil Mickelson criticised another past Ryder Cup captain Wednesday in explaining why he thinks this American team will be prepared to play its best. Mickelson was the catalyst for change in 2014 when he publicly questioned Tom Watson’s heavy-handed role – with Watson sitting at the same table – after another American loss at Gleneagles. That led to the PGA of America creating a task force that allowed for more player involvement. “When you look back on what the difference is, when players are...

Fat, stupid, classless imbeciles: European Ryder Cup player’s brother lets rip at Americans ahead of Hazeltine showdown

Thu, 29 Sep 2016 02:13:18 +0000

A controversial commentary insulting US Ryder Cup supporters written by the brother of Masters champion Danny Willett prompted an apology Wednesday from the Englishman making his Europe team debut. Pete Willett, writing for the website NationalClubGolfer.com, described American fans as “those fat, stupid, greedy, classless bastards.” Another section under the sub-heading “Bastards” alluded to “the type of golfer that’s a vice-captain for Team USA.” My #RyderCup piece. Sorry to any American...

Rory McIlroy relishing his new role as Ryder Cup leader

Wed, 28 Sep 2016 05:28:26 +0000

Rory McIlroy has embraced his leadership role on Europe’s Ryder Cup squad just as six eager-to-learn rookies join the lineup seeking to defeat the Americans for an unprecedented fourth time. “I have definitely become more comfortable in that role,” McIlroy said Tuesday. “I relish that role. I understand it’s a big responsibility, but I feel like I’m now ready to take that on my shoulders and hopefully lead by example.” The world No.3 from Northern Ireland comes off a victory at the US PGA Tour...

Out then in: Bubba Watson added to US team as vice captain after being passed over to play by Davis Love III

Tue, 27 Sep 2016 02:05:52 +0000

Bubba Watson will be at the Ryder Cup, even if it’s not exactly the way he imagined it. US captain Davis Love III announced on Monday that Watson has been added to the team as a fifth vice captain. The two-time Masters champion and 7th-ranked player in the world competed as a player on the last three US squads, and said at the start of the year that his goals were to play in both the Olympics and the Ryder Cup. Watson finished tied for eighth at the Rio Games, but he wound up just outside of the...

Tiger harm: Lee Westwood questions Woods’ vice-captaincy role in US Ryder Cup team

Fri, 23 Sep 2016 02:45:45 +0000

Europe’s Lee Westwood believes Tiger Woods could have an adverse effect on America’s Ryder Cup chances after the 14-time major winner was named as a vice-captain on the US team. Woods has not played competitive golf since the Wyndham championship in August 2015, and has been sidelined for much of the past year while recovering from multiple back surgeries. The former world number one was recruited by US captain Davis Love III as a team tactician for next week’s event but Westwood, a wildcard...

Choice of a champion: Jordan Spieth prizes Ryder Cup glory over Tour Championship win

Wed, 21 Sep 2016 02:45:49 +0000

As much as Jordan Spieth would love to complete a successful title defence at the Tour Championship this week, team victory at the Ryder Cup next week is an even bigger goal for the American. If forced to choose between the two, Spieth said at East Lake in Atlanta on Tuesday that he would opt for Cup glory. “That’s kind of rude,” the twice major champion said in response to the question, before answering it directly when he could have diplomatically brushed it off as a hypothetical. “I don’t...

It’s you: Davis Love chooses Rickie Fowler, J.B Holmes and Matt Kuchar as wildcards for Ryder Cup duty

Tue, 13 Sep 2016 02:45:45 +0000

When Davis Love III and the US Ryder Cup team come to Hazeltine at the end of the month, they will be looking to avoid an unprecedented fourth straight defeat by the Europeans. The US has spent two years planning and strategising in hopes of turning the tide, and Love’s first three captain’s picks lean heavily on experience as they try to end the skid. Love chose Rickie Fowler, J.B. Holmes and Matt Kuchar on Monday. He has one more pick to make, too. The Americans haven’t won since Valhalla in...

New feeling: Rory McIlroy warning for Ryder Cup rookies ahead of Hazeltine showdown with US

Thu, 08 Sep 2016 05:30:30 +0000

Rory McIlroy on Wednesday warned Europe’s Ryder Cup rookies to prepare for the toughest golf environment of their careers ahead of this month’s biennial battle with the United States. World number three McIlroy, who was speaking ahead of the BMW Championship, said he planned to brief the five first-timers in Europe’s ranks about what to expect when hostilities get under way at Hazeltine National from September 30. McIlroy, 27, is a veteran of winning European sides in 2010, 2012 and 2014 and...

Springboard: Rising star Branden Grace using Macao Open as a stepping stone to the top

Tue, 06 Sep 2016 06:00:00 +0000

World number 13 Branden Grace is viewing October’s US$1.1 million Venetian Macao Open as a step on the path towards the very top echelons of the game. If I keep playing the way I am I’m going to get in the top-10 and even the top-five. It’s about trying to be consistent, to stay there Branden Grace The 28-year-old acknowledged there was still work to be done on his game when confirming he was the marquee signing for the Macau event on Wednesday. Reigning Asian Tour number one Anirban Lahiri of...

Rolling the dice: South Africa’s Branden Grace to headline the Venetian Macao Open

Tue, 06 Sep 2016 01:15:45 +0000

World number 14 Branden Grace is expected to be unveiled today (Tuesday) as the star attraction of the US$1.1 million Venetian Macao Open. The 28-year-old South African will come to the October 13 to 16 tournament at the Macau Golf and Country Club fresh from his first season on the US PGA Tour, where he has won once and earned US$2.8 million in prize money. Grace finished fourth behind American Jimmy Walker at last month’s PGA Championship at the Baltusrol Golf Club in New Jersey. That made it...

Heavy artillery: Olympic gold medallist Justin Rose and Masters champion Danny Willett set to light up Hong Kong Open

Wed, 31 Aug 2016 00:00:30 +0000

Freshly minted Olympic champion Justin Rose has confirmed he’ll be back to defend his 2016 UBS Hong Kong Open title come December – and the Englishman promised to bring the gold medal he won in Rio de Janeiro along for the ride. “To be able to share an Olympic gold medal with people is simply amazing,” said Rose. “People want to hold it, they want to feel the weight of it. The last couple of weeks have been a whirlwind. I’ve been amazed at how positive the reaction has been. So I look forward to...

Reed it and weep: Patrick Reed wins The Barclays, as Rickie Fowler loses out on Ryder Cup spot

Mon, 29 Aug 2016 02:15:00 +0000

Patrick Reed had a crystal trophy, a clear shot at the richest pay-off in golf and a spot on the Ryder Cup team. All he could offer Rickie Fowler was best wishes to join him at Hazeltine. Reed picked up two victories Sunday at The Barclays. He rallied from an early two-shot deficit to win the FedEx Cup play-off opener and assure himself a clear shot at the $10 million bonus. And he secured a spot on the US team at Hazeltine that will try to win back the Ryder Cup. “Everyone’s been talking about...