Ryder Cup Teams Set

It's been a long week for me, as I've been laid up in bed, sicker than a dog. That's why you haven't heard much from me this week. That, and there hasn't been a whole lot going on in the golf world. The LPGA is off, the PGA Tour enters the third of what seems to be an endless FedEx Cup Playoffs. The only real notable news is the fact that both Ryder Cup captains made their wild card selections.

The first to announce his picks was European Captain Paul McGinley, who wasted no time and was straight forward with his picks, which were Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter, and Stephen Gallacher. With those picks, here is how the team now looks:

Rory McIlroy
Henrik Stenson
Victor Dubuisson
Jamie Donaldson
Sergio Garcia
Justin Rose
Martin Kaymer
Thomas Bjorn
Graeme McDowell
Lee Westwood
Ian Poulter
Stephen Gallacher

Later that evening, American captain Tom Watson spent a half hour beating around the bush before finally announcing that Keegan Bradley, Hunter Mahan, and Webb Simpson would be joining his team. With the announcement of the three Ryder Cup veterans, here is how Team USA looks:

Bubba Watson
Rickie Fowler
Jim Furyk
Jimmy Walker
Phil Mickelson
Matt Kuchar
Jordan Speith
Patrick Reed
Zach Johnson
Keegan Bradley
Hunter Mahan
Webb Simpson

The obvious advantage lies with Team Europe, who has home field advantage, who won the last three Ryder Cup matches, and who has the better team, at least on paper. Rory McIlroy should be a work horse, and he will play in all five matches. With the way he has been playing, he could easily win them all. Stenson won the FedEx Cup and European Order Of Merit last year, Sergio played well in the majors this season, and Martin Kaymer won the US Open going away. There is a lot of fire power there...but  am not as convinced that this will be a blow out as I originally expected. McGinley was almost forced into taking Poulter and Westwood because of their experience, but they are not going in with any kind of form. Jamie Donaldson has played well in Europe, but looked weak in big events this season, same as Gallacher. Dubuisson is brand new to these proceedings, and Bjorn is an inconsistent player.

That's not to say the US isn't without their problems. In fact, they are riddled with issues, as Phil Mickelson has only one top 10 this season, Furyk has had serious problems with Sundays, Zach Johnson can't find his putter, and Bubba Watson has been quiet since he won the Masters. Perhaps that is more of the issue. It is less about the firepower that Team Europe has, and more about the firepower that is missing from Team USA. None of these players jump out at you as someone who has had a terrific season, and will shake the cages and get his team fired up.

Here is what can be said about the Ryder Cup, though - expect the unexpected. These events rarely go as you expect them. Every player starts from scratch, and someone like Patrick Reed, who has struggled since his hot start, could be a vocal, fiery personality that gets his team pumped up. You never know. As it stands right now, however, it is safe to say Team Europe are the favorites. Still, I can not wait for these matches to start!