Preview

Course Info

Designer: Pete & Alice Dye
Type of Course: Links
Events Hosted: 2004, 2010 & 2015 USPGA Championships
Fairways: Average
Rough: Minimal but bushes and scrub land awaits wild tee shots
Greens: Bentgrass

Significant Info To Be Aware Of 

The course has been set up to favour the Americans. Be aware that the course will play differently to the previous events staged here.

There will be very few European spectators due to Covid-19.  The Europeans should expect a hostile atmosphere.

Weather Forecast 

Friday
A relatively calm day with wind not expected to exceed 5mph.  Dry throughout the day.

Saturday
A relatively calm day with wind not expected to exceed 5mph.  Dry throughout the day.

Sunday 
Showers with wind strongest for the week (around 8mph).

UPDATE - The forecast appears to be indicating stronger winds and potentially rain showers for the tournament.

Stats Analysis

Overall Record
Since continental European players became part of the Ryder Cup, Europe have edged proceedings with an 11-8 record (one match has been tied in that time).  Europe have won seven of the last nine encounters.

World Rankings
Team USA have an average world ranking of 8.9, the best an American team has had in over 30 years.  By contrast, the average world ranking of the European Team is 30.8.  Europe do have the world number 1 (Jon Rahm) within their ranks though.

Ryder Cup Appearances
Europe possess much more experience with 38 cumulative Ryder Cup appearances.  America have 12 cumulative appearances.

Rookies
There are six USA rookies - Daniel Berger, Xander Schauffele, Harris English, Collin Morikawa, Patrick Cantlay and Scottie Scheffler.
Europe have three - Bernd Wiesberger, Viktor Hovland and Shane Lowry.

Foursomes
2018: Europe 6 - 2 USA
2016: USA 5.5 - 2.5 Europe
2014: Europe 7 - 1 USA
2012: USA 5 - 3 Europe
2010: Europe 4.5 - 3.5 USA
2008: USA 4.5 - 3.5 Europe

Home advantage counts for a lot in foursomes. The home team has triumphed in the past six Ryder Cups.  Also worth noting is the fact the USA are undefeated (2 wins and 1 draw) in the last three opening foursomes sessions when the competition has been played in America.

Fourballs
2018: Europe 4 - 4 USA
2016: USA 4 - 4 Europe
2014: Europe 3 - 5 USA
2012: USA 5 - 3 Europe
2010: Europe 4 - 4 USA
2008: USA 4.5 - 3.5 Europe

It's been incredibly close in fourballs in recent times but it's notable that Europe haven't come out on top in this format in the last six events.  America have won seven of the last 12 fourball sessions.  

Singles
2018: Europe 7.5 - 4.5 USA
2016: USA 7.5 - 4.5 Europe
2014: Europe 6.5 - 5.5 USA
2012: USA 3.5 - 8.5 Europe
2010: Europe 5 - 7 USA
2008: USA 4.5 - 7.5 Europe

The last three singles have been won by the home team.  The three prior to that were won by the away team. 

Player Analysis (USA)

Justin Thomas
JT is making his 2nd Ryder Cup appearance this week, having won 4 points from 5 matches in Paris.  An excellent end to the season with several top 4 finishes in the FedEx Playoffs.  Top scorer for the American team in Paris in 2018 (4 points) and top scorer for the USA at the last Presidents Cup (3.5 points).

Jordan Spieth
Fourth Ryder Cup for the man who got his career back on track in 2021.  He's taken at least 2.5 points from every Ryder Cup he's played in, giving him a win percentage of 57%.  His Presidents Cup record is also strong, taking a minimum of 2 points every appearance.  His last four appearances at the WGC Matchplay have been equally respectable, winning six, losing four and halving three.  Paired with Justin Thomas in the first four sessions in the 2018 Ryder Cup, he'll likely play with his friend again for the first four sessions this year.  Finally, 2nd place at Whistling Straits at the 2015 US PGA shows he likes the course.

Patrick Cantlay
Won the FedEx Cup two weeks ago and makes his Ryder Cup debut.  Does have Presidents Cup experience though, having been joint 2nd top scorer for the Americans at the 2019 Presidents Cup (3 points).  Played with Xander Schauffele in all four sessions at that Presidents Cup and looks likely to partner him again.  Possesses a respectable record at the WGC Matchplay having won 5 of 9 matches in the last three years (note - he's not qualified for the knockout stages in those years).

Brooks Koepka
Injury doubts coming into this event and comments before this week's event indicate he's not particularly bothered about the Ryder Cup.  Recent years have tended to back that up, with only 1.5 points from 4 matches at the 2018 Ryder Cup and finished bottom of a very weak group at the WGC Matchplay in his most recent appearance in 2018.  Worth noting that he was 2nd top scorer for the USA at the 2016 Ryder Cup, but that was pre-Major wins and those appear to have changed his perspective.   Have to suspect he won't play every session with his injury troubles.

Bryson DeChambeau
Second Ryder Cup for the controversial American.  Unlikely to play in the foursomes due to idiosyncrasies and personality clashes.  He didn't play any foursomes matches in the 2018 Ryder Cup or the 2019 Presidents Cup. Won the 2015 US Amateur in 2015 but has been useless in matchlay ever since.  Four defeats in last six matches at the WGC Matchplay, lost all three games at the 2018 Ryder Cup and only managed half a point at the 2019 Presidents Cup. Playing in the world long drive competition immediately after the Ryder Cup, is he fully focused?

Daniel Berger
Ryder Cup rookie with patchy matchplay record.  Won three and lost nine of his twelve matches at the WGC Matchplay.  However, won two points from three at the 2017 Presidents Cup.  It's also worth noting that he's improved enormously over the past two years and has overcome injury problems.  

Tony Finau
Two wins from three matches in Paris in 2018 was a good showing and he'll be hoping to improve on that this time around.  His Presidents Cup debut in 2019 didn't go quite as well but he only lost one match out of four (halving the other three) so it's hard to be too critical.  His record at the WGC Matchplay is four wins, four losses and one half in his last three appearances.  Like Schauffele, Tony is an easy going guy capable of being paired with anyone in the team and is likely to see plenty of action.

Xander Schauffele
Olympic gold medallist makes his Ryder Cup debut this week.  Three points from five matches at the 2019 Presidents Cup was an encouraging sign that he enjoys matchplay golf.  Four wins from nine matches at the WGC Matchplay mean that the jury is out on his matchplay abilities.  Level headed and calm (often described as older than his years), he'll likely partner Cantlay but will make a good partner for any teammate.  

Scottie Scheffler
Ryder Cup debut for the man who was runner up at the WGC Matchplay earlier in the year.  Yet to win on the PGA Tour but capable of running hot.  Shot 59 last year at The Northern Trust.  The least accomplished of the American team but likely to play in the fourballs given he was the 2nd best American last season in the birdie average statistics (Bryson was top American).

Collin Morikawa
Two time major winner who makes his debut.  Will need to perform better than he did at this year's WGC Matchplay where he scored 0.5 points from his three games.  However, he did win all four of his games at the 2017 Walker Cup.  Suffered back problems at the end of August and form was poor throughout the FedEx Playoffs.  Given the back injury he must be doubtful to play all five sessions.

Harris English
One of six wildcards on the American team, he's had an outstanding 2021.  Two wins, 3rd at the US Open and only three missed cuts means he's a reliable operator.  That point is emphasised by his excellent record when partnering Matt Kuchar at the QBE Shootout pairs event, which the pair have won three times in six appearances.  It wouldn't be a surprise to see English play both foursomes sessions.  One win from three matches at this year's WGC Matchplay is his only recent matchplay experience.

Dustin Johnson
An exceptionally quiet 2021 for the former world number one.  His matchplay record is incredibly up and down over the years.  His performance at the 2012 Ryder Cup was exemplary, 3 points from 3 matches.  However, one point from five matches in 2018, two points from four matches in 2016 and one point from four matches in 2010 suggest matchplay isn't his preferred format.  It's a similar story at the WGC Matchplay.  Winner of the event in 2017, he's only won two of his matches since.  Dustin has an excellent Presidents Cup record, taking 9.5 points from his last 13 matches.  He also has an excellent record at Whistling Straits, recording top 7 finishes in the 2010 and 2015 US PGA's held here.

Player Analysis (Europe)

Jon Rahm
The world number 1 will have to be at his best to give the Europeans any chance.  One point from three matches in Paris was a poor return but reached the final of the 2017 WGC Matchplay to demonstrate a liking for matchplay golf.  Missed the cut last week at the Fortinet Championship with a stomach complaint, so interesting to see how the intense schedule of the Ryder Cup affects him.

Viktor Hovland
The young Norwegian makes his debut.  An uninspiring WGC Matchplay debut this year (won one and lost two) doesn't bode well but we should remember he won the 2018 US Amateur in impressive fashion.  Expected to play the majority of matches.  

Tommy Fleetwood
One half of the successful Moliwood partnership from 2018, Tommy will do well to repeat the heroics of Paris.  Four points from five matches on his Ryder Cup debut was an incredible effort and he's a man who enjoys the cut and thrust this format brings.  Tommy lost out at the quarter final stage of this year's WGC Matchplay to eventual winner, Billy Horschel.  Missed the cut at the 2015 US PGA but is a much improved player since then.

Rory McIlroy
Former world number 1 who's endured a difficult couple of years.  He'll be encouraged by previous strong finishes at Whistling Straits and may also enjoy not having the pressure of being Europe's leading man this year.  Thirteen points from 24 matches is an acceptable return but certainly not anything to shout about.  It's a similar story at the WGC Matchplay where he has six wins from his last twelve matches (2 halves and four defeats in the others).  It's notable that Rory's most productive Ryder Cup partnership came when partnering a rookie (Thomas Pieters).  It wouldn't be a surprise to see him paired with rookie Shane Lowry this week.

Ian Poulter
The Postman lives for the Ryder Cup with 15 points from 22 matches.  Missed the cut at Wentworth two weeks ago but form prior to that was solid enough to warrant a captain's pick.  Doesn't have the best record at Whistling Straits but he brings a lot to the team in terms of passion and heart.  His record at the WGC Matchplay in recent years is excellent, having qualified from his group twice in the last three attempts and only lost out in a sudden death playoff in the other.  He also won that event in 2010.  Europe will need him to deliver again.

Lee Westwood
The most experienced player teeing it up this week, Westy has played in 10 Ryder Cups to date.  Ryder Cup record is reasonable, with 23 wins from 44 matches.  However, lost all three games in 2016 when he last represented Europe.  He missed out in 2018 but was involved as a vice-captain.  Will have son Sam on the bag this week rather than wife Helen.  His record at the WGC Matchplay in recent years is much like his Ryder Cup record.  Hasn't been playing well of late and this may be one Ryder Cup too far.

Sergio Garcia
Leading points scorer in Ryder Cup history, the Spaniard will be seeking to add to his haul and you wouldn't bet against him doing so.  He's taken at least two points from each of the last four Ryder Cups and topped his group in each of the last three WGC Matchplay events.  Past performances at Whistling Straits haven't been good but his recent form has been encouraging. 

Paul Casey
A fifth Ryder Cup for the experienced Englishman who looks primed for his best performance yet.  Top 30 on the last two occasions the course hosted the US PGA, Casey is clearly comfortable here.  His career matchplay record is strong, with a win at the HSBC Matchplay Championship and runner-up finishes at the WGC Matchplay in 2009 and 2010.  He's qualified from his group two of the last four years at the WGC Matchplay, losing out the other two in a sudden death playoff.  A key player for Europe.

Shane Lowry
The 2019 Open Champion needed a captain's pick to make the team but won't be overawed on his debut.  A weak record at the WGC Matchplay (won 2, halved 2 and lost 5) isn't overly encouraging but he's played a lot of golf in America and will be comfortable with the raucous atmosphere.  

Tyrrell Hatton
One point from three matches in Paris was a poor return for the Englishman.  Hatton has failed to live up to the heights of 2020 and his recent form has been poor.  In his favour is a reasonable record at the WGC Matchplay.  Between 2017-2019 he progressed from his group twice and on the other occasion lost out in a sudden death playoff.  Partnered Paul Casey for both fourballs in 2018 and wouldn't be a surprise to see them paired up again.

Matt Fitzpatrick
Matt will be hoping to avenge his poor Ryder Cup debut in 2018 where he lost both his matches.  Five wins and seven defeats from his last 12 matches at the WGC Matchplay suggest he's probably better suited to strokeplay.  However, took three points from three matches at the 2013 Walker Cup.  Likely to see him in action for the foursomes.

Bernd Wiesberger
Qualified for the team at the final ranking event. The Austrian rookie isn't expected to play many games prior to the singles but we'll likely see him pair Sergio Garcia when he does play on the Friday or Saturday.  Four wins from last nine matches at the WGC Matchplay means he's not to be entirely written off, even if he does have the worst world ranking of the 24 players teeing it up this week.

 

 

 

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