Henrik Stenson delivered the big shot on a wild back nine to win the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas.
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J.T. Poston completed a wire-to-wire victory Sunday in the John Deere Classic for his second PGA Tour title and a spot in the Open Championship.
The Ryder Cup starts Friday at Le Golf National outside Paris. The U.S. is seeking its first win on foreign soil in 25 years. Will it happen, or will the European team bounce back from its loss two years ago in Hazeltine? Our staff writers weigh in with their predictions. SEAN MARTIN Senior Editor Winning team: USA (14.5 to 13.5) USA MVP: Tony Finau. The rookie may not go undefeated, but a winning record from the last man picked will be crucial in such a close match. European MVP: Sergio Garcia. Yes, he had a lackluster season, but the Ryder Cup will re-ignite his flame. Comment: The United States will win on foreign soil eventually. May as well be this year. This strong U.S. contingent has won its past three team competitions by a combined 51.5 – 36.5 margin. It won’t be easy, but they will get the job done. The U.S. is too strong from top to bottom. MIKE McALLISTER Managing Editor Winning team: USA (16 to 12) USA MVP: Tiger Woods. Fresh off his first PGA TOUR win in five years, he’ll carry the momentum into this week with a dominant performance. European MVP: Ian Poulter. His form fell off a bit in his last few TOUR starts, but he’ll deliver the usual passion and spunk that we expect from him against the U.S. Comment: Honestly, I’m not sure it’ll be all that close. U.S. has more guys in form and too many young players without scar tissue. Don’t expect them to be fazed in the least on foreign soil. CAMERON MORFIT Staff Writer Winning team: USA (14.5 to 13.5) USA MVP: Brooks Koepka. No one is on a better run of excelling on really hard courses. European MVP: Francesco Molinari. He’s had the best season of any European and is tough to beat right now. Comment: The U.S. will run out to an early lead, but outmanned Europe will keep it close with the home crowd urging them on. In the end, the score will reflect which side has the better players, and the U.S. will win a road game for the first time in a quarter century. JONATHAN WALL Equipment Insider Winning team: USA (15 to 13) USA MVP: Patrick Reed. Always finds a way to raise his game to another level during the biennial matches. He’ll do it again on foreign soil. European MVP: Tommy Fleetwood. Has the game and confidence to make a major statement as a rookie. Comment: The U.S. team is stacked. It’s easy to see Europe keeping it close, but there are too many questions at the bottom of the roster, namely a lack of consistency from some key captain’s picks. Going with experience over a couple of hot hands winds up being the difference for Thomas Bjorn. BEN EVERILL Staff Writer Winning team: Europe (15 to 13) USA MVP: Justin Thomas. He will prove he’s the next “liferâ€� for the U.S. team. European MVP: Justin Rose. He’s killing it right now and accuracy is going to be a key factor. Comment: The home team will set up conditions to negate the U.S. firepower and the crowds will put the visitors off their usual swagger. HELEN ROSS Contributor Winning team: USA (14.5 to 13.5) USA MVP: Patrick Reed. Captain American loves this stage, and he’ll especially enjoy taking his curtain calls before the partisan European crown. European MVP: Justin Rose. Ian Poulter and Sergio Garcia immediately come to mind – and I expect both to rise to the occasion — but you can’t ignore the way the new FedExCup champ has been playing. Comment: It’s time for the Americans to win the Ryder Cup in Europe. It won’t be a runaway but the U.S. has been building to this ever since the task force was formed. ROB BOLTON Fantasy Insider WINNER: USA (15.5 to 12.5) USA MVP: Patrick Reed EUROPE MVP: Thorbjorn Olesen COMMENT: Both teams have moxie, so this will be a terrific battle. Europe has the experience on the course and we should expect captain Thomas Bjorn to have an impact in what sets up as a transitional edition for the hosts. However, the Americans are as deep as they’ve ever been and the evolution of the new team philosophy is still fresh and fun. MIKE GLASSCOTT Fantasy Contributor Winning team: Europe (15 to 13) USA MVP: Brooks Koepka continues his ascendancy with another big performance but it’s not enough to push the Stars and Stripes over the finish line. European MVP: Ian Poulter lives up to the expectations and cements his place as one of the greatest of all time in this format. Comment: The European rookies are buoyed on by the partisan crowd and play with freedom as Bjorn’s “old guard” holds up their part of the bargain. The USA struggles to find enough fairways and continues their struggles away from home in this event.
Don’t count on Jack Nicklaus watching any of Tiger Woods’ comeback tour. Woods made his much-anticipated return to golf at the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas in November, where the 14-time major champion played his first tournament in nearly a year. Despite dealing with multiple injuries and off-the-course scandals, Woods looked better than he has on prior comebacks, finishing tied for ninth at 4-under par. His return was met with buzz from both fans and fellow tour pros, hoping that this is in fact the real return of one of golf’s greats. Just exclude Jack Nicklaus from from that list of fans and professionals. “I’m not interested at all,� Nicklaus said about Woods’ return. “Do I wish [Tiger]
