Check in every week for the unfiltered opinions of our writers and editors as they break down the hottest topics in the sport, and join the conversation by tweeting us at @golf_com. This week we discuss Ryder Cup stock, Tiger Woods’ playing plans, Greg Norman’s LIV legacy and John Daly’s 19.
The Ryder Cup is two weeks away, but 21 of the 24 players competing in it were playing over the weekend at the Procore Championship in Napa and the BMW PGA in England. From everything you read, heard and saw, what was your biggest takeaway from Ryder Cup training camp?
Zephyr Melton, associate game-improvement editor (@zephyrmelton): Lots of Ryder Cuppers had their names on the first couple pages of the two leaderboards (Ben Griffin, Scottie Scheffler, J.J. Spaun, Russell Henley, Tyrrell Hatton, Viktor Hovland). Nice to see a bunch of them in fine form heading to Bethpage. Should make for some high-level golf in a couple of weeks.
Alan Bastable, executive editor (@alan_bastable): I should hope they’re well-repped on the first two pages, especially at the Procore! No disrespect to the rest of the field but this is the kind of week in which the alphas should be throwing their weight around. I’ve been taken by the praise the U.S. players have been heaping upon Keegan Bradley, in terms of how he’s been communicating with his squad and keeping them on task; he seems to be pressing all the right buttons. We’ll see if that continues in the heat of battle.
Dylan Dethier, senior writer (@dylan_dethier): My biggest takeaway is that golf is hilarious; immediately after Europe selects its Ryder Cup team (and names him vice captain) Alex Noren wins two of his next three starts?! Including this week, where he beats the entire European team? You probably wouldn’t see an offensive coordinator beating out the QBs in a preseason game — but here we are. Also, both teams have now had ample time to bond and prep before Bethpage; there will be fingers pointed post-Ryder Cup but “carelessness” won’t be a valid accusation on either side.
Whose Ryder Cup stock went up or down, both individually and as a team?
Melton: I’m not sure if you can put too much stock into one tournament, but if I had to pick I’d go with Team USA. Prior to Rome the Americans didn’t get many competitive reps, and it doomed them at Marco Simone. Their little “training camp” in Napa should serve them well in terms of keeping the competitive juices flowing.
Bastable: If there were any lingering questions about Ben Griffin, he answered them in Napa. On the flip side, Justin Thomas’s week might give Captain Bradley pause. JT made the cut by only one and closed with a rocky 75 that included two double bogeys. Not exactly the Ryder Cup springboard for which he would have been looking. On the Euro side, Matt Fitzpatrick, who finished T5 at Wentworth, is continuing to exhibit excellent form; I think he’ll be a problem for the Americans. And how ’bout P-Reed’s T3! He won’t be at Bethpage, but you can’t help but think Capt. America wasn’t playing with a little extra burn this week.
Dethier: Scottie Scheffler’s stock somehow keeps rising; this latest win felt like further proof that he makes golf simpler than the rest of the world. Other upward arrows? Ryder Cup rookies Ben Griffin, J.J. Spaun, and Cameron Young, who each finished in the top 10. On the flip side, Justin Thomas had an uncharacteristically poor week with his irons and his putter, which isn’t ideal (though also could easily not matter?) heading to the Ryder Cup. For the Euros I’m particularly excited by the idea of both Viktor Hovland and Ludvig Aberg heading to Bethpage in good form — they were a blast to watch last time around. Just not to play against…
