2016 Ryder Cup Singles Sunday, This And That

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The day has arrived and while Team USA's chances look promising for an early win, I think most of us selfishly would love to see this one draw out as long as possible. The players and their team squads have given us all we can ask for from an entertainment perspective, now we just need the fans to only be a story because they are just that loud, and all will be well.

The PGA of America issued this statement at 10:30 am local time regarding the fans:

STATEMENT BY PGA OF AMERICA

This week we’ve seen some of the largest and most exciting Ryder Cup crowds ever.
Minnesota is home to some of the best sports fans in the country and we are so grateful for their enthusiastic support and warm hospitality.
 
Rooted in the ideals of sportsmanship and international goodwill, the Ryder Cup is about having a spirited passion for not only the victory, but for the game of golf.  
 
We are encouraging all spectators on Sunday to be passionate and support their team in a way that is respectful to those around them, the players, and the Ryder Cup.  Our security staff will continue to enforce a zero tolerance policy, removing from the course any fans who are disruptive in any way, including the use of vulgar or profane language directed at the players.
 
We look forward to a strong finish today that reflects the spirit of the Ryder Cup and provides a positive experience for all.

Alex Myers with the sign posting for fans to back up the statement.

Kevin Casey with a roundup of the lowlights from Sergio and Rory.

Bob Harig at ESPN.com is puzzled by the Rory McIlroy vitriol by fans.

Captain Mickelson clutched up Friday and he sure does sounding like he's calling shots, Brian Wacker notes.

Karen Crouse says Thomas Pieters joins the likes of Nicolas Colsaerts, Philip Walton, Phillip Price and Ignacio Garrido in wreaking Ryder Cup havoc, and the Belgian also joins the tradition of another European connecting "effortlessly" with his teammates.

Jaime Diaz sees the Europeans as looking a bit like the San Antonio Spurs.

A recent case was last season’s San Antonio Spurs, so long anchored by Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobli and Tony Parker, getting run out the gym in the NBA playoffs by a younger, faster and ultimately better Oklahoma Thunder team, as the venerable Greg Popovich let the beat down play out as if bound by sacred ritual.

The matchups, which as I noted, Davis Love has had much experience with in situations like we see today.


Follow scoring here.

Captain's Pick Report (Don't Look, Russell Knox)

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Of course the Captain's don't hit any of the shots and we have another day to go, but...

Davis Love's captain's picks through two days of the Ryder Cup, with Sunday singles remaining:


Rickie Fowler 1-1
Matt Kuchar 2-1
J.B. Holmes 1-1
Ryan Moore 1-1

Darren Clarke's picks:

Lee Westwood 0-2
Martin Kaymer 0-3
Thomas Pieters 3-1

Do recall that Thomas Pieters was the third choice.

Will A Few Fans Ruin The 2016 Ryder Cup Outcome?

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It was a glorious Saturday of Ryder Cup golf. All of the usual ingredients were in action to produce a day of drama unlike anything else in the sport. But the looming sense of an impending debacle can't be ignored.

There is nothing wrong with rooting and cheering after a ball has been struck. Hope for your team. Hope for America!

But then there is what we've seen all too often at Hazeltine during the 2016 Ryder Cup: fans gradually interfering with the competition by (A) making noise or comments as a player is preparing to play, or (B) resorting to vile language and heckling. An example:

 

There were ejections Saturday according to NBC's Dan Hicks, but the mostly-nice people of Minnesota are in danger of having their Ryder Cup tainted by an incident that impacts the matches. The American players and their entourages, who have put themselves in position to win, could have the outcome tainted if the situation is not reigned in.

Cutting off alcohol sales by noon tomorrow would help. The PGA of America undoubtedly has weighed the risk-reward elements, and plans to go for the green no matter how discouraging the signs.

A few Tweets from Sunday, including this from Christine Brennan who filed this story with Martin Rogers about the Rory McIlroy incident. 

A video of the incident as well.

2016 Ryder Cup Saturday Four-Ball: Captain's Fantastic!

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Let the second guessing begin!

As I note for GolfDigest.com, the captain's made some bold calls in the morning that didn't hurt Europe. But the afternoon is another story: Clarke wheeling out Kaymer and Westwood despite little sign Friday that they were playing well, meaning a benching of Sergio's new pal, Rafa Cabrera Bello.

The real shocker came on the USA side as Captain Davis Love sends out the struggling Phil Mickelson with Matt Kuchar over the red-hot Brandt Snedeker. It also means breaking up the Koepka-Snedeker pairing that has delivered two points so far.

The real fun should be with the long-bombing first group featuring all +300 yard drivers in McIlroy, Pieters, Johnson and Koepka.

2016 Ryder Cup Saturday Morning Foursomes This & That

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Both captain's have much on the line Saturday morning after each has made bold (questionable?) lineup decisions. Davis Love has sat Dustin Johnson in favor of the Mickelson-Fowler pairing, a surprise given Mickelson's wayward ball-striking Friday. The U.S. takes a 5-3 lead into the day, one that left Davis Love sounding somewhat pleased, writes Brian Wacker for GolfDigest.com.

Playing Mickelson in foursomes seems to be something planned in advance no matter the state of someone's ball striking. A couple of stories on Phil Mickelson reaffirm his leadership role, to the point that wife Amy is wishing someone else would assert themselves following Phil's Hal Sutton comments earlier this week.  Alan Shipnuck writing at golf.com on Phil:

“He felt awful, and he called Hal so many times he was like an ex-girlfriend,” says Mickelson’s wife, Amy. She has been through endless controversies with her college sweetheart, but the scrutiny ever since the Watson confrontation has been at a fever pitch. “It’s exhausting,” Amy says. “I would love to get off this rollercoaster. As much as I appreciate that Phil has been looking out for the other guys, can’t just one time someone else step up and say what needs to be said?”

Karen Crouse in the New York Times also considered the Mickelson influence.

In one of his daily news conferences this week, Love mentioned Mickelson by name 15 times, and that did not count his response to a direct question about Mickelson. Love said that he had been addressing the United States contingent on Tuesday night when he had noticed that Mickelson was leaning forward in his seat, eager to say something. So Love ceded the floor to him.

“Nobody has seen more team golf on our team than him,” said Love, who described Mickelson as “kind of the backbone of the team.”

As I note for GolfDigest.com, Darren Clarke's lineup offers an even bigger roll of the dice in breaking up Rose-Stenson to get two rookies into the action (Chris Wood and Matthew Fitzpatrick). John Huggan writes that Clarke was breathing easier after a successful Friday afternoon got Europe back in the matches. Still...

Clarke has a leaderingship/veteran issue as well: to play Lee Westwood, who is struggling and took himself off the lineup card Friday afternoon. Christopher Clarey of the New York Times profiled their longtime friendship for the New York Times, which could be tested this afternoon if Europe needs to keep their stalwart Ryder Cupper on the bench.

Danny Willett played Friday afternoon and heard it from the fans. Big time. Randall Mell writes

Rory McIlroy's walk-off eagle and reaction was the standout moment from Day 1 at Hazeltine. Alex Myers with the details and video.

Kevin Van Falkenburg at ESPN.com makes a strong case that the heckling is only helping Rory.

American fans needled him, yelling for his ball to "get in the water" every time he took on a hazard, and he responded with fist pumps and icy glares toward the gallery that would have made Seve Ballesteros giddy.

American fans needled him, yelling for his ball to "get in the water" every time he took on a hazard, and he responded with fist pumps and icy glares toward the gallery that would have made Seve Ballesteros giddy.

Rory also said he would apologize to caddie Austin Johnson for a perceived slight following the completion of his four-ball win with Thomas Pieters. (Dave Shedloski with more on Pieters and his great Friday play here.) 

 


 

The oversight...

 

 

 

2016 Ryder Cup Four-ball Day One This And That

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I've just returned from some of the early four-ball play between the great Tom Watson vision known as Reed-Spieth and they will be in an epic fight with Rose-Stenson. The weather is beautiful, the crowds huge (though shockingly tough on the Europeans) and the pairings decent enough. Only Europe's Matt Fitzpatrick and Chris Wood didn't get on the course today.

Here they are with a few comments, including a note about Westwood and Mickelson likely taking themselves out of afternoon play based on the morning (despite what the captains say). Mickelson told Golf Channel that it would have been a cop out had he not played Friday morning.

12:30 p.m.: Jordan Spieth/Patrick Reed (USA) vs. Justin Rose/Henrik Stenson (Europe)

12:45 p.m.: J.B. Holmes/Ryan Moore (USA) vs. Sergio Garcia/Rafa Cabrera-Bello (Europe)

1:00 p.m.: Brandt Snedeker/Brooks Koepka (USA) vs. Martin Kaymer/Danny Willett (Europe)

1:15 p.m.: Dustin Johnson/Matt Kuchar (USA) vs. Rory McIlroy/Thomas Pieters (Europe)

Fowler earns his first Ryder Cup point, with Mickelson assist, sort of. Alex Myers reports.

Jim McCabe on the dominating foursomes win by Jimmy Walker and Zach Johnson.

Myers with some of the best things said by fans at the first tee.

The Palmer bag from 1975 on the first tee. What a cool touch.

 

 

Sergio getting cocky after making a putt.

 


The Arnold Palmer tribute video from yesterday's opening ceremony.

 

2016 Ryder Cup Morning Foursomes This And That

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The bickering and bloat is a thing of the past. Let's play some golf!

The first morning foursomes pairings still have folks scratching their heads, particularly the Mickelson/Fowler group. The force better be with the Task Force, writes Ryan Lavner.

Hecklers may be comforted that one of their own enjoyed an epic moment Thursday. Danny Willett won't have to worry either way, he's on the bench Thursday morning. John Huggan with his story heading into day one.

Jaime Diaz has your Ryder Cup facts and figures, plus TV times.

You can follow scoring here.

2016 Ryder Cup Opening Session Oddities Galore

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Well, four to be exact, according to Alex Myers.

I totally concur with all four of the key questions he has about Davis Love and Darren Clarke's opening session pairings in the 2016 Ryder Cup.

After the ceremony and out at dinner, most werein consensus that the Mickelson foursome's pairing with Rickie Fowler was strange, but that he ommission of Ryan Moore was even more bizarre.

Somewhere Over The Rainbow: Palmer's Ashes At Latrobe

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Gerry Dulac with an image of this ceremonial flight over Latrobe Country Club for Arnold Palmer. A small family-only service was held. Dave Shedloski reports.

 

 

Dulac says the location of his ashes became known too...


And after the funeral, this stunning rainbow appeared...

 

 

 

Phil Apologizes To Hal Over Ballgate, Hopes Hal Feels Welcome

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According to a fresh report from G.C. Digital, Phil Mickelson has told Golf Channel and Golf World reporter Tim Rosaforte that he was in the wrong by singling out decisions made during Hal Sutton's captaincy.

Mickelson acknowledged that the comments came off wrong.

“I’ve communicated with him,” Mickelson told Rosaforte. “I feel awful. It was never meant to be like that. I was trying to use an example of how a captain can have a strong effect. Unfortunately, it came across the way it did.”

Sutton and other past captains have been invited to hang out in the team room and at Hazeltine as a display of unity.

“I was totally in the wrong,” Mickelson said. “I never should have brought that up. I used an extreme example the way decisions can affect play, and I never should have done that because it affected Hal.”

Rosaforte's report on Live From, where he also explains that Mickelson hopes Sutton will still feel welcome to visit the team room, where past captain's have been encouraged to hang out in hopes of creating an "inclusive family feel."

Sutton reportedly left town but is scheduled to appear in a captain's exhibition match with Ben Crenshaw at midday.

The full Rosaforte report:

Randall Mell looked at the episode before Mickelson's apology and explained the whole mess very well. This explanation from Captain Davis Love doesn't add up though, as Mickelson was the one who raised the 2004 matter, not the press.

American captain Davis Love III was asked in his news conference Wednesday if Mickelson’s calling out Sutton again was appropriate. Love indicated Mickelson is in some ways playing defense.

“Unfortunately, some analysts just keep bringing it up over and over and over again, things that have happened in the past,” Love said. “Sometimes, you have to set the record straight.”

If you have the time, Dave Anderson's New York Times account of the 2004 ball episode is worth a read. Perhaps some of the lingering bitterness stems from Sutton making Mickelson adapt to Tiger's equipment...

Should Mickelson be teamed with Woods in the afternoon alternate-shot match today and perhaps again tomorrow, he will be using a rare mixture: Callaway woods, Titleist irons and putter, and a Nike ball. But why Tiger's ball?

"I personally felt that it would be very difficult to tell a guy that was 257 times or whatever the leading player in the world," Sutton said, alluding to Woods. "And you're going to ask him to switch balls. I didn't want to put Tiger in that position, so I just said, 'You need to know how to hit this ball right here."'

ShackHouse 21: The Ryder Cup, Bill Simmons, And Dave Shedloski On Arnold Palmer's Passing

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An incredible time in golf and hopefully we did it justice on this week's ShackHouse.

The Ryder Cup is our primary focus, with Bill Simmons (@billsimmons) joining to express grave concerns for Tiger Woods not even being worthy of a selection. We try to reassure him.

Also joining us to discuss the passing of Arnold Palmer is Golf World and Golf Digest contributor Dave Shedloski (@golfershed) who has been assisting Mr. Palmer on a book of stories and memories--A Life Well Played--that St. Martin's Press has expedited for an October 11th publication date.

All proceed's go to the Arnie's Army.

As always, you can subscribe on iTunes and or just refresh your device subscription page.

Same deal with Soundcloud for the show, and Episode 21 is here to listen to right now!

The ShackHouse Stitcher page.

The Ringer's ShackHouse page with all of the info and links you can dream of.

ShackHouse is presented by Callaway Golf, who are offering listeners free shipping on ANY ORDER through callawaygolf.com using the Promo code HOUSE.

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Go to CallawayGolf.com and enjoy that free shipping.

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Also, here is the link to the Danny Lee/Vice online series mentioned in episode 21.

We also want to thank Athletes Collective, which makes a great longsleeve for the fall, plus a sensational new V-neck for working out. They are making solid, comfortable, logo-free and incredibly low-priced athletic wear out of the latest tech fabrics. Use promo code House for 15% off your first order. Now!

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Thanks for your continued support of the show and our advertisers. Ad be sure to check out the website of our hosts, The Ringer.

Hal Sutton: "I think Phil better get his mind on what he needs to have it on this week, instead of on something that happened ten years ago."

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The past Ryder Cup Captain's played an exhibition off-site today and Alex Miceli of Golfweek captured this video of some of Hal Sutton's remarks (embed below).

Sutton, the 2004 captain at Oakland Hills, had plenty more to say about Phil Mickelson and his assertion that he was not given enough time.

Dave Shedloski reports for GolfDigest.com on Sutton's response.

His key point: Mickelson changed equipment the week prior, yet feels he got sidetracked testing Tiger's ball for the foursomes pairing, one that Sutton explains in the video that he intended as a goodwill gesture.

Sutton, who was one of several former captains to visit the U.S. team room on Tuesday night, went on to stipulate that Mickelson omitted a crucial fact in his recollection of his pairing with Woods: Lefty had changed to Callaway equipment just prior to the 2004 matches. “Yeah and then he didn't even call me and tell me he was changing the equipment,” Sutton said. “He had [his agent] Steve Loy call me and tell me. And he changed not only equipment, he changed ball too. So, print that. Print that. Print that. He let his whole team down. So he's talking about Hal Sutton? He let his whole team down.”

There were many other quotes from the chat, including Sutton's admission that he esentially quit the game after the Ryder Cup heat he took.

Pretty much quit golf, took the blame for everything. Nobody played well that week. If I need to still shoulder the blame for Phil’s play, then I’ll do that.

The video:

Danny Willett Apologizes For Brother's Column, Does Not Believe American Fans Are A Baying Mob Of Imbeciles

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Speaking to Golf Channel's Steve Burkowski, Danny Willett certainly sounds contrite and upset in apologizing for his brother's column mocking the American Ryder Cup fan.

Willett says they are not the thoughts of his teammates and that he phoned his brother to discuss.

Captain Darren Clarke addressed the matter, writes Alistair Tait for Golfweek.com.

The look of anger on Clarke’s face told the whole story. This was the last thing he needed as he sets out to try to win the Ryder Cup for Europe for a fourth consecutive time.

“I was made aware of the article about an hour ago,” Clarke said. “I showed it to Danny and he’s bitterly disappointed in his brother’s article. It’s not what Danny thinks. It’s not what I think. It’s not what Team Europe stands for.

For his part, PJ Willett is suggesting the piece was satirical.