Read today that Casey played more European Tour events this season than Donald (by 1) and Harrington (by 3)!!

The latter figure really does make even more of a mockery of the decision. Harrington currently practising while Casey leads the penultimate Fedex Cup event.

Europe will win anyway.

Last 5 Euro Tour winners are all in the side after Kaymers win today. We're on form and we're better than them.

If there were 4 picks then Casey would be there. That is what we need to make sure happens in 2 years time.

Clarke, McGinley, Monty, Bjorn: fair bit of tour savvy and Ryder experience there, they know the detail of what we can only guess at but its not tough to join the dots given Casey's clear credentials is it?

Will Casey's bottle hold in the US? I doubt it.

Will Casey's bottle hold in the US? I doubt it.[/quote]


Sorry Groomy - Jobs for the boys. Casey over Harrington every time

Told ya

Paddy?

He came 2nd, by a shot. He is one of the 5 who can win the Fedex Cup outright next week. Paddy Harrington wasn't even there.

All you have on Casey is that he is an awkward customer, nay a wink.

Maybe so, but it's about winning. Having harmonious teams isn't everything - witness Cole/Sheringham at Utd. Anelka is a widely-regarded wink - he still plays for teams that win things. Your bete noire Terry, too. Being a knob isn't a reason to rule him out the team when on any yardstick you choose bar popularity he trumps Harrington.

I'm sure there are plenty of people apart from Harrington who think Garcia is a prick, but he's been on several Ryder Cup teams.

Harrington isn't a poor golfer but he isn't an in-form golfer. He is also a potential foursome liability given how wild he has been this year.

So don't play him in the foursomes!!!!!

He has a month to find form, an attribute that in golf comes and goes pretty sharpish.

Casey is hardly a good fouresomes player as he is a fourball and singles man given his game

Is Westwood a definite starter, yet?

It's never definite until he's standing on the first tee, but yes, Westwood has stated that he's a few days ahead of schedule in his rehabilitation and fully intending to tee it up at Celtic Manor.

But it isn't as simple as 'who is the best golfer'. The Ryder Cup throws up plenty of examples of pairs which prove that the sum of the parts is greater than the whole and others who raise their individual game because they are more motivated to play for 'a 'greater collective good'. Also what about wisdom as a good team attribute?

And mutual respect

Norman?

Irish

Apparently (well, according to Iain Carter), Monty has already decided that all 12 of the European team will play on the opening day. That's dangerous, in my opinion, as it could mean leaving out a pairing who are absolutely flying in the morning, but I suppose it does mean that those that are scheduled to play 36 holes will be prepared in advance...

If I was to hazard a guess at the first day pairings, they would be as follows:

Fourballs:

Kaymer and Westwood
McIlroy and McDowell
Fisher and Harrington
E Molinari and F Molinari

Foursomes:

Kaymer and Westwood
McIlroy and McDowell
Donald and Poulter
Hanson and Jimenez

It has cost the Yanks in the past, also I doubt Westwood will be risked for two rounds.

Lots of bluff and counter bluff out there remember!

But Fat Monty will end up confusing himself

I think we have a great side and a great team

I think Clarke, Bjorn and McGinley will also be key cheer leaders

As will Monty. He really wants to win this.

Doubtfire is a -----------------

We're gonna win, and win well

Monty is the man

14 1/2 13/1/2 at least

knob

I'm beg your pardon?

Fatty talked himself out of so many majors before they even started, he has no chance a a Ryder Cup Cpt, INHO.

We'll see

I can only see a comfortable European win

Monty should have won 3 or 4 majors as a player but this is about his captaincy. His management team have the respect of his players and as a Ryder Cup player Monty is arguably the finest that has played the game.

He talked himself out of those Majors before they started.

The closest he cam to winning was the US Open when he teed off hours before the leaders, and Jack said he would win.................

He thinks too much, and will confuse the Euro players, unless he stays away from them which he won't....

But his Ryder record is amazing

Yep, all he has to think about is the opponent.................

Not really criticising him, as I played a number of shots better than handicap in matchplay, than stroke play, so I know where he is failing. I only really played one strokeplay/stapleford any where near my "potential" taking irons off the tee and the occassional 3-wood. Match-play, I just let the other one, lose, or give him the chance to lose

Was just listening/watching the golf channel here who were also questioning the absence of Casey. General opinions were that in 2006 and again in 08 he was rather a dispruptive influence, questioning the captains pick of players and moaning that he wasn't selected to play every session. Didn't he have a problem with the crowd here a couple of years back, can't remember what but said something about the Yanks that didn't go down well, taken awhile to get back in favour here. Obviously an attitude problem.
I like him and I certainly think he should have been selected ahead of Harry. Hope we don't live to regret it.