Singh, twice a winner this year but who has sank to 12th in the world rankings, had arrived in Quebec with little momentum after a disappointing run in the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup. His only top-10 finish -- actually, his only finish better than 60th -- came at THE TOUR Championship presented by Coca-Cola. He'd been fighting not only a series of aches and pains, but also swing changes intended to minimize the physical maladies
Actually Vijay's poor putting has become atrocious. His ball striking is still pretty good although swing changes may have impacted it some. For him to get back in the top 5, he will need to get his putting touch back.
Among the guys playing for International team, Cabrera is only non-regular on PGA tour. Whereas in European team, at least half the players play in European tour.. What does this mean to quality of game on European tour?
I think its more to do with the ability to play/combine together in a four-ball and foursomes than individual playing ability. My guess is (havent confirmed this) that in singles play the US does well in the Ryder Cup. Europeans have better camaraderie as a team. I would say this is a direct comparison to how the Davis Cup is not always won by a country who have the best indivdual players, but the better team.
Cannot underestimate the effect of a healthy dressing room environment in such tournaments.
dmehra wrote:
I think its more to do with the ability to play/combine together in a four-ball and foursomes than individual playing ability. My guess is (havent confirmed this) that in singles play the US does well in the Ryder Cup. Europeans have better camaraderie as a team. I would say this is a direct comparison to how the Davis Cup is not always won by a country who have the best indivdual players, but the better team.
Cannot underestimate the effect of a healthy dressing room environment in such tournaments.
Dushyant
Agree. Also, for the US individual achievements are more important and they play fairly half heartedly in team competition especially where professional leagues are well developed. See US performance in Davis Cup (which Sampras hardly played), basketball, and even baseball as examples.
I believe that Dushyant and Arjun have made very valid points about the European, American and Non-European/non-American golfers. The European golfers who come to play on the PGA Tour tend to hang out together and appear to have a common bond. Their friendship extends to the days when they played on the European Tour regularly and these golfers still go back and play some European Tour events while playing on the PGA Tour. The golfers who play in the President's Cup against American team come from various countries - Australia, South Africa, Fiji, Korea, Canada, etc - and have less things in common with each other.
Jeev Milkha Singh and Daniel Chopra stay at the same hotel and eat their evening meals together when ever they are playing at the same tournament together and have a great bonding with each other. I am sure that if they were playing as a team, they would encourage and help each other on the golf course. Vijay Singh is closer to them than to many other golfers on the PGA Tour and often plays his practice rounds with Daniel and/or Arjun Atwal.
Anirban Lahiri has been picked to play the Foursome on day 1.
He will partner Thai Jaidee and will take on Ricky Fowler and Jimmy Walker in the 3rd match. Internationals and especially Anirban
Anirban and his partner Thongchai Jaidee lost the Foursome round against Rickie Fowler & Jimmy Walker (5&4). The International team is struggling against USA team and is trailing 4-1 after the end of Day 1.
Anirban was dropped from today's matches.
Intl. team fought back and the score is 5.5-4.5 in favour of US. Match on...
However, Anirban won't feature in tomorrow mornings foursomes too. Poor guy missed 2 weeks of tournament to prepare for this...ends up getting thrashed on day one and gets dropped for next 2 set of matches.
Expecting him to be picked for tomorrow afternoon four balls. Else, he will just play one singles match to finish off his week.
Good experience but it would have good if he had played well and bagged some points for the team. Hoping for 2 points now from him.
Anirban got picked for the four balls today as every player has to play 2 matches before the singles....
But, he played badly and he and Adam Scott lost to Phil and Zach 3&2.
Atleast he got the chance to play in a group of Major winners and 3 Masters Champions....
Tomorrow he plays singles against Chris Kirkl and I expect Anirban to shi off in style with a good win
Anirban's nightmate continued ,was down couples of shots but came back strongly to go even but missed a easiest of putts on 18th to give the crucial win to the Americans...in the end that may just be the crucial point US team was looking for...hope he emerges a better play
Worst nightmare coming true for Anirban.
He had a 3 foot putt and Chris Kirk had a 15 footer for birdies with the match and tie all square.
Anirban should have made his putt but instead Kirk birdied and Anirban missed that short putt to loose the match and ultimately that was the difference as the team lost by 1 point. The 3 foot birdie putt would have resulted in a tie and they would have shared the Cup...but not to be....hope he bounces back from this disappointment ASAP. Sad to see Anirban sitting down with his face covered on the 18th after that miss...
Internationals and especially Anirban
