2018 Ryder Cup watch

Kuchar, Harman, Reavie have been consistently 'there' in many recent tournaments. Finau is rising. Phil can not afford to slip into mediocrity between now and September. Didn't like his announcement that he's taking 'two weeks off' and then will see why he's hitting it off lately, really? So he can get re-rusty again?

bulls9999 wrote:Kuchar, Harman, Reavie have been consistently 'there' in many recent tournaments.  Finau is rising. Phil can not afford to slip into mediocrity between now and September. Didn't like his announcement that he's taking 'two weeks off' and then will see why he's hitting it off lately, really? So he can get re-rusty again?

I think it's normal to take some time after a major to decompress. 1 or 2 weeks shouldn't be a big issue.

I think after his win, he put too much pressure on himself to try to force things to happen at The Masters. Overall, he's been playing really well this year and hopefully that will continue.

I think Phil playing poorly increased his chances of winning the US Open. Lets face it to win 2 majors is pretty rare. He realizes what the problem was ...how he handles it in the future will remain to be seen. At least he knows he can still play well and win. Last season we were wondering about that.

Stats are just stats. For instance PHIL is #7 now in Ryder Cup numbers but he is #3 in Fedex standings. He actually only trails one American (Justin Thomas) in Fedex points but Ryder cup points favor the performance in last year and this year's majors.

PHIL is fine and IMO already has a spot on the team.

No big change in points--waiting for Memorial-Memphis-US open to shake things up.
Aaron Wise is the intriguing new face of 2018 for a rookie pick? PHIL is still #8

Simpson and Kuch look likes Captain picks

I note as well that PHIL almost seems like a lock to stay in the top 50 till Nov 2018 and that would be 25 years!!!

Phil did move up 1 place in WGR and is now 18th in the world. I'm starting to think he is skipping Memorial...he still hasn't committed to it. He never seems to play good there and maybe he is worried about fatigue for the US open. Well we will know by Friday.

Looks like 3 in a row for Phil.. hopefully has the fatigue thing figured out.

Not sure how Phil falling out of Automatic-8 and his antics with the penalty at the US Open will go over with those that make Ryder Cup Captains' Picks.  They may just use it to say "it's time to move on and go with our younger players", and I don't think I'd be so upset if they did (Phil, this stuff...antics at the US Open..... is starting to get old....and so are you).

US Ryder Cup Standings

RANK THIS WEEK / RANK LAST WEEK /PLAYER NAME /EVENTS / POINTS

1 5 Brooks Koepka  16 8,840.409
2 3 Dustin Johnson  19 7,809.287
3 1 Patrick Reed  24 7,639.916
4 2 Justin Thomas  21 6,711.373
5 4 Jordan Spieth  24 4,795.306
6 6 Rickie Fowler  20 4,356.227
7 7 Bubba Watson  20 4,128.024
8 10 Webb Simpson  19 4,027.534
9 9 Bryson DeChambeau  18 4,007.116
10 8 Phil Mickelson  22 3,979.592
11 11 Matt Kuchar  25 3,386.946
12 12 Brian Harman  20 2,991.347
13 16 Tony Finau  19 2,870.764
14 18 Xander Schauffele  20 2,686.408
15 13 Aaron Wise  16 2,378.567
16 15 Jimmy Walker  23 2,277.486
17 14 Kevin Kisner  24 2,274.086
18 17 Kyle Stanley  18 2,147.763
19 19 Chez Reavie  19 2,114.324
20 20 Gary Woodland  22 2,111.874

The young Ryder Cup core (Koepka, DJ, Reed, Thomas, Speith and Fowler) have been huge in 2018. Those six players look great. Bubba and Webb look like they have their 2014 form back in place. PHIL will have to get another win or a top five in a major IMO to crack top 8.

Saying that--we can't have a Ryder Cup without him. Plus Kuch so that leaves two younger guys for picks unless Zach Johnson warms up.

After Phil's antics this week have left a bad taste in my mouth for this kind of stuff, tom-foolery, dumb move, lapse of judgement, or whatever you'd call it, I'd almost be fine with these (at this moment) as the Captain's Picks (which may change with new circumstances of good/better play, and decisions, on Phil's part). Now, I would still call for Phil to be selected over Tiger.  If Tiger is selected (to play) and not Phil, I will throw a tantrum.

9 9 Bryson DeChambeau  18 4,007.116
10 8 Phil Mickelson  22 3,979.592
11 11 Matt Kuchar  25 3,386.946
12 12 Brian Harman  20 2,991.347
13 16 Tony Finau  19 2,870.764
14 18 Xander Schauffele  20 2,686.408
15 13 Aaron Wise  16 2,378.567
16 15 Jimmy Walker  23 2,277.486
17 14 Kevin Kisner  24 2,274.086
18 17 Kyle Stanley  18 2,147.763
19 19 Chez Reavie  19 2,114.324
20 20 Gary Woodland  22 2,111.874

bulls9999 wrote:After Phil's antics this week have left a bad taste in my mouth for this kind of stuff, tom-foolery, dumb move, lapse of judgement, or whatever you'd call it, I'd almost be fine with these (at this moment) as the Captain's Picks (which may change with new circumstances of good/better play, and decisions, on Phil's part). Now, I would still call for Phil to be selected over Tiger.  If Tiger is selected (to play) and not Phil, I will throw a tantrum.

9 9 Bryson DeChambeau  18 4,007.116
10 8 Phil Mickelson  22 3,979.592
11 11 Matt Kuchar  25 3,386.946
12 12 Brian Harman  20 2,991.347
13 16 Tony Finau  19 2,870.764
14 18 Xander Schauffele  20 2,686.408
15 13 Aaron Wise  16 2,378.567
16 15 Jimmy Walker  23 2,277.486
17 14 Kevin Kisner  24 2,274.086
18 17 Kyle Stanley  18 2,147.763
19 19 Chez Reavie  19 2,114.324
20 20 Gary Woodland  22 2,111.874

Granted not Phils finest moment but that has nothing to do with his stats this year that are fantastic. I think he will make it on point, that was one of his goals. If he doesn't he WILL get a pick. The Team loves him young guys and the old captains and assistant captains. NO WAY will the US Open be used against him in this case.

PHIL is snuggly at #10 in points. Everyone IMO in the top 8 are a lock by a pick or points except Webb Simpson. He gets in if he is in the top 8 but the other 7 are locks

IMO PHIL and now Tiger are locks to make the team either by points or by Captain picks.

Kuch and Zach Johnson are logical picks for vets but look for a hot rookie or two as 3rd and 4th picks

RANK THIS WEEK/ LAST WEEK/ NAME/EVENTS/POINTS

1 1 Brooks Koepka 18 8,981.472
2 2 Dustin Johnson 20 7,809.287
3 3 Patrick Reed 26 7,740.630
4 4 Justin Thomas 23 6,727.053
5 5 Bubba Watson 23 5,509.387
6 6 Jordan Spieth 26 5,148.306
7 7 Rickie Fowler 22 4,620.241
8 9 Webb Simpson 22 4,277.808
9 8 Bryson DeChambeau 21 4,236.858
10 10 Phil Mickelson** 24 4,120.703
11 15 Xander Schauffele** 23 3,803.703
12 11 Matt Kuchar 26 3,715.446
13 19 Kevin Kisner 26 3,332.251
14 14 Tony Finau** 21 3,275.184
15 12 Brian Harman 23 3,241.907
16 13 Kevin Na 24 3,051.273
17 16 Aaron Wise 18 2,378.567
18 20 Zach Johnson** 25 2,371.896
19 17 Kyle Stanley 22 2,362.166
20 31 Tiger Woods** 12 2,340.044

No doubt Phil will be a captains pick but it will be ashame to be so close to making it on points and fail to do so. One thing he was proud of was having a streak of being on the team without requiring a pick. He really needs 2 high finishes in these next 2 tournaments.

Did the US open debacle paired with the self called penalty for matting down the tee box affect his position? Curios if he parred those 2 holes how many more points he would have gotten. Could he have jumped all the way to #8?

I know the majors are 1.5 points per $1000.00.
Every stroke counts. Can't remember what 2 tournaments it was this year but 1 stroke less at each of those tournaments would have meant a top 10. When he started out so good this year I really thought making it on points was a non issue.

I'm not so sure on that.  If Phil continues his 'lack-luster' play, more 'stoo-nodd' penalties, and Tiger continues to play well, will they put "2 old guys" on as Captain's Picks or ask Phil to do what Tiger did last year and 'be assistant'?

Perhaps what helps Phil is DeChambeaux's melt-down this week where he was leading with 4 holes left and then went +5 in the last 4 holes and barely shook hands with competitor and not 'looking him in the eye' to wish him well.

j58golf wrote:No doubt Phil will be a captains pick but it will be ashame  to be so close to making it on points and fail to do so. One thing he was proud of was having a streak of being on the team without requiring a pick. He really needs  2 high finishes in these next 2 tournaments.

Rank / Previous / Player / Points

1 2 DUSTIN JOHNSON 9,435.287
2 1 BROOKS KOEPKA 9,338.472
3 4 JUSTIN THOMAS 8,427.053
4 3 PATRICK REED 7,821.880
5 5 BUBBA WATSON 5,584.137
6 6 JORDAN SPIETH 5,199.806
7 7 RICKIE FOWLER 4,724.491
8 8 WEBB SIMPSON 4,365.058
9 9 Bryson DECHAMBEAU 4,316.108
10 10 Phil MICKELSON 4,207.953
11 11 Xander SCHAUFFELE 3,851.453
12 12 Matt KUCHAR 3,843.696
13 14 Tony FINAU 3,462.099
14 19 Kyle STANLEY 3,434.166
15 13 Kevin KISNER 3,398.501
16 15 Brian HARMAN 3,292.657
17 16 Kevin NA 3,126.023
18 17 Aaron WISE 2,619.942
19 18 Zach JOHNSON 2,476.146
20 20 Tiger WOODS 2,414.794

Rankings following the PGA Championship.

Rank / Previous / Player / Points

1 1 BROOKS KOEPKA 13,298.472
2 2 DUSTIN JOHNSON 9,549.287
3 4 JUSTIN THOMAS 8,929.122
4 3 PATRICK REED 7,821.880
5 5 BUBBA WATSON 5,584.137
6 6 JORDAN SPIETH 5,481.427
7 7 RICKIE FOWLER 5,006.112
8 8 WEBB SIMPSON 4,534.745
9 9 Bryson DECHAMBEAU 4,316.108
10 10 Phil MICKELSON 4,207.953
11 20 Tiger WOODS 4,196.794
12 11 Xander SCHAUFFELE 3,924.096
13 12 Matt KUCHAR 3,843.696
14 13 Kevin KISNER 3,680.121
15 14 Tony FINAU 3,512.021
16 19 Kyle STANLEY 3,434.166
17 15 Brian HARMAN 3,321.457
18 16 Kevin NA 3,295.710
19 24 Gary WOODLAND 2,826.665
20 18 Zach JOHNSON 2,645.833

Just heard the guy on PGATour-SiriusXM this morning suggest that if Phil misses some cuts in the coming up remaining tourney/FedEx series, he maybe not get a Captain's pick. Other guy pushed back saying aside from experience, Phil is 9th overall strokes gained, #6 in birdies, and #2 in stroked gained putting (seriously, I don't know how, it doesn't seem like he's done that well).  Phil can simply play well and put an end to that kind of talk.

Support for Phil by both Matt Adams and Jaime Diaz:

At the moment Phil hasn't committed to the 1st.playoff. In 3 playoffs there he's has played poorly. I read he may skip it since he likely is 10th in points and that should be enough to get into the tour championship. Apparently Dufner got into the TC last year with 1322 pts. And Phil already has over 1500 before they even start. If he commits it would mean playing 6 out of 7 weeks with the Ryder Cup and he playing the Safeway open...the 1st event of next season. Too much crammed in the end of the year especially the way the last 2 majors were scheduled. I guess we will know by Friday. Rory is skipping it to be fresh for RC. I'm worried since I bought tickets and paid ahead for parking. I get it though if he passes on it .

Hmm.... so if Phil doesn't play Wyndham, and doesn't play the 1st FedEx cup series, then he's only got 1 remaining tournament (after which 3-of-4 picks are chosen after the 2nd FedEx Cup Tourney on Sept 3), or 2 remaining tournaments (after which 4th pick is chosen after the 3rd FedEx Cup tourney on Sept. 9th) to show Furyk that he can play well NOW?...and if he doesn't make the cut in one of those and plays mediocre in the other.... That's gambling.....and we all know Phil is a gambler by nature.  I can only imagine where Phil could have been if he addressed his driving some 4-5 years back... bad driving gives him no option to end up in a good position on the green.... he's currently 199th in Driving Accuracy (52.39%) and 142nd in GIR (https://www.pgatour.com/stats/stat.102.html), so what does that mean?.... he has to make up his bad driving by being especially good getting back to the green/pin position and make putts (which I can't believe he's ranked as high up on putting as his stats show)….but that is simply pushing it.

j58golf wrote:At the moment Phil hasn't committed to the 1st.playoff.  In 3 playoffs there he's has played poorly.  I read he may skip it since he likely is 10th in points and that should be enough to get into the tour championship.  Apparently Dufner got into the TC last year with 1322 pts. And Phil already has over 1500 before they even start.  If he commits it would mean playing 6 out of 7 weeks  with the Ryder Cup and he playing the Safeway open...the 1st event of next season.  Too much  crammed in the end of the year especially the way the last 2 majors  were scheduled.  I guess we will know by Friday.  Rory is skipping it to be fresh for RC.  I'm worried since I bought tickets and paid ahead for parking. I get it though if he passes on it .

Phil knows he's a pick. When he checked out the course in Paris he said you don't need driver much. 3 wood be fine. I also saw an interview with Furyk where they asked him specificly about Phil and he mentioned the 2nd in putting and 10th on list in points in Phils defense. I'm sure Phil is ticked off that people are questioning his worthiness. RORY is skipping it so he will be fresh for RC. I rather see Phil rested if that helps than play terrible . He doesn't need to prove anything to Jim like the others wanting a spot on the team do.

I would be shocked if it was not PHIL-Tiger-Bryson getting picked on Tuesday

PHIL, Tiger and Bryson just missed on top 8 and they have done the best of the rest--Tony Finau is also right there but there are only three picks

PHIL has been t15 and T12 --He also done better then any Americanm, during this last two weeks, except for Bryson and Tony F. Easy pick

Those 3 plus Finau, thats it