The End of the Real Pro Golf Season: FedEx Cup Results and Ryder Cup Predictions

The End of the Real Pro Golf Season: FedEx Cup Results and Ryder Cup Predictions

   Rory McIlroy proved he was human. Tiger Woods proved he was third-phase Tiger. Jim Furyk proved he was "Nerves of Jello" Furyk. . .again. And a poster boy for a pre-Tiger, pre-Vijay world of golf (blond and ultra-preppy Vanderbilt, no less) walked away with the FedEx Cup, the FedEx Championship, and two checks worth over $11 million combined.
   The Ryder Cup has become problematic for the American team. The Europeans, led by golf's newest superstar, Mr. McIlroy, have four of the top five golfers in the world. They are more accustomed to more difficult situations. However, the Americans have hope for three reasons. 
   First, they have a home-course advantage. Sure, European Ryder Cup players are familiar with Medinah Country Club outside Chicago, the host of two PGA Championships in the past 13 years. Euros Luke Donald and Sergio Garcia have played very well there in majors. Yet, the maintenance crew and groundskeepers have groomed the course to Ryder Cup Captain Davis Love III's exacting specifications for this competition, specs designed for the games of the Americans. Hence, no monster roughs and no outrageously slender fairways you find at most of the Grand Slam events. This gives long but wild strikers like Dustin Johnson, Bubba Watson, and Phil Mickelson a green light to swing away.
   Second, they are led by golf's hottest golfer, the man with the hottest putter, Mr. Snedecker, who was fortunately a Captain's pick before his recent streak began. Golf is a streaky game, and nobody in the world is riding higher this week than the Snedmeister.   McIlroy has the hottest game over the past six weeks, but Snedecker is the hottest right here, right now. It remains to be seen whether he'll be able to handle the rowdy crowds, nationalistic pressure, and team atmosphere of a Ryder Cup.
   Third, they are catching the Euros when their stars are showing signs of vulnerability. Martin Kaymer has been in a near year-long slump, and some critics question his inclusion as a Captain's pick. Graeme McDowell and Lee Westwood have cooled considerably since the first half of the season. Even McIlroy faded last Sunday, losing four strokes to par in the first nine holes alone.