Opinion & Analysis
Presidents Cup grades: The U.S. team
The International team entered Sunday’s final round of the Presidents Cup trailing by six points. Unlike the Europeans, who challenged the U.S. team at the Ryder Cup last year, the Internationals couldn’t produce a miraculous comeback at Muirfield Village this year, eventually losing to the U.S. squad 18.5 to 15.5.
There were moments of brilliance from players on both teams throughout the four days of competition, and overall the quality of play was high amidst showers and soft conditions. Only Brendan Grace and Richard Sterne of the International side failed to capture a point during the event. Conversely, Tiger Woods, Jason Day (and Graham DeLaet) led their respective sides in points earned.
Here’s a deeper look at how each player from team U.S.A. fared at Jack’s place.
U.S. team
Tiger Woods: Foursomes: 1-1-0; Fourball: 2-0-0; Singles: 1-0-0; Overall: 4-1-0. Grade: A
It’s impossible to give Woods low marks this week, unless you’re Sammy the squirrel, whom the golfer initially spurned. Woods was the only golfer to win four points and he closed out the competition for the U.S. Although his back bothered him, it didn’t hinder his performance…or the Fresh Prince-ian fun the golfer had with partner Matt Kuchar.
Jason Dufner: Foursomes: 1-1-0; Fourball: 1-0-0; Singles: 1-0-0; Overall: 3-1-0 Grade: A
Three wins and a dominant showing in his singles match have the Duf positioned as a formidable U.S. stalwart in future Ryder and President Cups. The eternally at-ease Dufner seemed as comfortable in fourball with Zach Johnson as he did dismantling Brendon de Jonge in singles.
Zach Johnson: Foursomes: 1-1-0; Fourball: 1-0-0; Singles: 1-0-0; Overall: 3-1-0 Grade: A
A gritty competitor, Zach Johnson posted a strong record and played well with partner Jason Dufner this year. Not bad for a guy who was presumed too sick to compete early in the week.
Matt Kuchar: Foursomes: 1-1-0; Fourball: 2-0-0; Singles: 0-1-0; Overall: 3-2-0 Grade: B+
Kuchar, who spent much of the week dominating and goofing off with partner Tiger Woods, proved to be a formidable competitor beneath his ever-present smile this week. Look for the Woods-Kuchar paring to do damage in future competitions.
Steve Stricker: Foursomes: 2-0-0; Fourball: 1-1-0; Singles: 0-1-0; Overall: 3-2-0 Grade: B
Even though he lost his singles match, Stricker contributed crucial points earlier in the week. His vaunted putting stroke nearly pulled out a victory in his Sunday singles match against Ernie Els. Had a couple of putts fallen, the 46-year-old would have earned even higher marks.
Keegan Bradley: Foursomes: 1-0-1; Fourball: 1-1-0; Singles: 0-1-0; Overall: 2-2-1 Grade: B
O.K. so it wasn’t the 2012 Ryder Cup all over again for team Bradley-Mickelson. However, on a week where the magic just wasn’t happening for the duo, Bradley did manage to cobble together a respectable record and make a solid contribution to his team. A loss in his singles match was Bradley’s most significant blemish this week.
Bill Haas: Foursomes: 1-1-0; Fourball: 1-0-1; Singles: 0-1-0; Overall: 2-2-1 Grade: B
Haas got to play with seemingly everyone on the U.S. team this week. The golfer was never going to be the top man this week, and he did about what he was expected to do: post a .500 record.
Phil Mickelson: Foursomes: 1-0-1; Fourball: 1-1-0; Singles: 0-1-0; Overall: 2-2-1 Grade: B
As mentioned, the Mickelson-Bradley duo didn’t light it up at Muirfield, and the left-hander didn’t put up much of a fight against Angel Cabrera in his singles match. However, the golfer did become the winningest player in Presidents Cup history this week. During a week where he was clearly tired, the veteran did a respectable job for team and country.
Webb Simpson: Foursomes: 1-1-0; Fourball: 1-0-1; Singles: 0-0-1; Overall: 2-1-2 Grade: C+
Although he neglected to step on his opponent’s throat Sunday, Simpson was a solid contributor to team U.S.A.
Hunter Mahan: Foursomes: 0-1-0; Fourball: 1-1-0; Singles: 1-0-0; Overall: 2-2-0 Grade: C
Mahan made a huge contribution Sunday by handling Hideki Matsuyama in their singles match. Prior to that though, the golfer was an unimpressive 1-2 in the competition. A .500 record earns Mahan an average grade.
Brandt Snedeker: Foursomes: 1-1-0; Fourball: 1-1-0; Singles: 0-1-0; Overall: 2-3-0 Grade: C-
Snedeker didn’t impress this week and was one of the few disappointments on the U.S. squad. To make matters worse, Jason Day lit him up in their singles match. Sneds will be happy to have the cup and happier still to have the competition behind him.
Jordan Spieth: Foursomes: 1-0-0; Fourball: 1-1-0; Singles: 0-1-0; Overall: 2-2-0 Grade: C-
Captain’s pick Spieth didn have a great showing, although he did well in his May-December pairing with Steve Stricker. Spieth’s grade for the week isn’t great, but I imagine he’ll have plenty of opportunities to redeem himself in the future.
Opinion & Analysis
AVL: My U.S. Amateur local qualifying experience
This past Monday, I played in the U.S. Amateur local qualifier at Rock Creek Country Club in Portland, Oregon. A full tee sheet from 7:30 a.m. to 1:55 p.m., the top 11 scores would make it to the U.S. Amateur final qualifying.
I teed off at 10:48 a.m.. With the 7:30 am tee time, you can get a feel for the leaders’ pace, and they were off and running on the challenging setup at Rock Creek.
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Getting to the highlight of the round on the par five 17th, a drive up the left side and 212 yards left to the front hole location. I took out a 5-iron with plans of middle of the green. The ball ended up 8 feet left of the hole, pin high. A slight downhill putt dropped in for an eagle 3 on the 17th. With the cut line looking to be anywhere from -2 to even par. This was the boost I had been waiting for all day.
With making par from the trees on 18, it was time to wait for a potential playoff with a posted score of one under par 71.
Three hours later, it was playoff time. 8 players for 6 spots. I made par on the playoff hole, which was good enough to advance to the U.S. Amateur final qualifying in July. USGA qualifiers sure deliver on all of the emotions in golf!
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Brian also heads into the workshop to discuss several putter projects currently on the bench. From head options and shaft choices to build ideas and testing plans, he shares what he’s working on and which putters could become serious contenders for the bag this season.
If you’re a gear junkie who loves equipment testing, club building, and the never-ending pursuit of the perfect setup, this episode is for you.
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Regis
Oct 9, 2013 at 8:09 pm
Slightly off topic but I was more than a little upset that the US had the American flag plastered all over everything (bags,caddies’ bibs). The US code (Section 36) specifically prohibits this type of display and treats it as a sign of disrespect for the flag. I’m not a fantatic on this or anything but it left a bad taste in my mouth and made me feel that the whole presentation by the PGA was “tacky”
guest
Oct 8, 2013 at 10:13 am
I’m confused at Simpson’s grade and rank. His record was better than Haas, Phil and Bradley, and he had won his singles match until he chose to concede the 18th so that he and Oost. would halve the match (since it no longer mattered in the overall score).
Steve
Oct 7, 2013 at 10:12 am
I agree with your top tier of Tiger, Duff, and ZJ. I agree with Kuch too, but i also think Stricker deserves to be in that second tier. Personally, after that, I’d adjust most of the rest. The next tier for me (from the B to C+ range) I’d have some lineup of Webb, Haas, Mahan, and Spieth. Then below that I’d have Keegan and Phil. Then I’d have Sneds at the bottom.
To me, Spieth’s .500 record is every bit as impressive as everyone that went 2-2-1. The kid is 20 years old! He won half the events he played in and lost his singles match to a very solid player by only 1 hole. He more than held his own for his first time out there and will be around these team events for a looooong time.
Then for Keegan and Phil, I was really disappointed with how they played. Sure, they ended up putting a good enough point total on the board, but I expected more from them based on what they’ve already done as a team. They are much better than how they played. That, plus their lackluster efforts in the singles put it over the edge for me.
Those were the biggest changes for me from your list. I think it’d be hard to put anyone but Sneds at the bottom. He was the only player with a losing record, and he was horrible in singles. He played a very, very good player in Jason Day, but you’d still expect him to hold his own rather than getting waxed 6&4. Awful showing right there.
Overall, it was fun to watch though! Bring on the Ryder Cup and bring it on home to the US!
gunmetal
Oct 7, 2013 at 11:21 am
I agree with Steve. I’d actually give Speith a solid B. Losing to DeLaet shouldn’t be a big blemish. DaLeat was easily the 3rd best player on that team and Jordan took him to 17 holes. Biggest disappointment has to be my favorite guy Sneds. He just didn’t have it this week. Phil and Keegan was also disappointing. I love Keegan’s energy but there are times when you need to dial it down a notch. Just keep grinding. I thought Mahan played fine, just had a difficult draw. Zach and Duff are really strong…really hope they make the Ryder Cup.
pablo
Oct 7, 2013 at 9:17 pm
+1
Cris
Oct 7, 2013 at 1:55 am
Just FYI, Stricker is 46 years old.
Ben Alberstadt
Oct 7, 2013 at 7:47 am
Cris, darn my fat fingers…thanks for catching the typo.