Sports
THE BUGLE SEPTEMBER 27, 2012
15
Ryder Cup coming to Chicagoland By Scott Taylor Sports Editor
For the first time in its history, the Ryder Cup is headed to Illinois. The 39th edition of the Ryder Cup, which features the top players from the United States against the top players from Europe, takes place this week, with the opening round beginning Friday at Medinah Country Club in Medinah. Nine of the top 10 players in the world will be competing on golf’s biggest stage. The United States holds a 2511 advantage with two ties, but many of those wins came just against Great Britain. Since the change to the whole continent of Europe, the Europeans have an 8-7 advantage and have won six of eight. However, the U.S. won the past time at home in 2008 in Louisville. It will kick off Friday at 7:20 a.m., with the first foursomes match of the day. There will be four foursome matches both Friday and Saturday morning beginning at 7:20 with tee times spaced by 15 minutes. The lineups were unknown at press time. Foursome matches are comprised of teams of two competing against each other, hole by hole, where the players take alternate shots. Play resumes in the afternoon, beginning at 12:05 each of the first two days with four four ball matches. This is where teams of two each play their own ball and
use the best score on that hole as their team score. Sunday’s play begins at 11:03 in 11 minute intervals between tee times. All 12 team members will compete in singles matches on that day to determine the winner. When it comes down to experience, Europe has the advantage. Of its 12 players, 11 of them have competed in a Ryder Cup, as Nicolas Colsaerts is the only newcomer on the roster. The other members include the top two players in the world in Rory McIlroy (1-1-2 in Ryder Cup) and Luke Donald (8-2-1), as well as Sergio Garcia (14-64), Peter Hanson (1-2), Martin Kaymer (2-1-1), Paul Lawrie (31-1), Graeme McDowell (4-2-2), Francesco Molinari (0-2-1), Ian Poulter (8-3), Justin Rose (3-1) and Lee Westwood (16-11-6). Meanwhile, the U.S. players don’t have nearly as much success. In fact, it has four newcomers and none of the veterans have a winning record in the Ryder Cup. The U.S. team features newcomers Keegan Bradley,Jason Dufner,Webb Simpson and Brandt Snedeker, as well as returners Jim Furyk (8-15-4), Dustin Johnson (1-3), Zach Johnson (3-3-1), Matt Kuchar (1-1-2), Phil Mickelson (11-17-6), Steve Stricker (3-3-1), Bubba Watson (1-3) and Tiger Woods (13-14-2). A bit of positive news for the Americans is that Woods twice won the PGA Championship at Medinah (1999, 2006). Mickelson is making his ninth appearance in the Ryder Cup,
Photo Illustration by Mark Gregory/Bugle Staff
America’s Bubba Watson (left) and Euorpe’s Sergio Garcia are set to compete in the Ryder Cup at Medinah.
while Furyk is making his eight trip to the Ryder Cup for the U.S., while Westwood is competing for the eighth time for Europe. In 2010 the Europeans won at home 14.5-13.5 to take back the cup from the Americans.That
means the Americans will need 14.5 points to take back the cup this weekend, while Europe will just need half the points (14) to retain the cup. Opening festivities take place on Thursday at 4 p.m. at closing
ceremonies are scheduled for around 5:30 p.m. Sunday. The Golf Channel and NBC are expected to have more than 60 hours of total coverage during the week. staylor@buglenewspapers.com