Matchups Everybody Wants to See
I know they’ve done blind draw since forever, but if TV can demand Sunday finishes and prime-time major championship broadcasts, you’d think they could do something about the weird mish-moshes we get from not alternating seedings like they do at the President’s Cup and Potomac Cup. Ryder Cup pairings resemble what poker players call “Computer Hands”, (random matches such as K5, J7, Q3 and the like) so we rarely get the uber-stars squaring off against one another. We have a 1 in 14 chance of seeing Rory-Tiger in singles, (but a much higher likelihood they’ll cross paths in foursomes or fourballs), but a much higher chance of seeing Hanson v. Mickelson or Lawrie v. Zach Johnson or Molinari v. Snedeker or Donald v. Dufner.
But if the stars align, how much fun would it be to see:
Rory-Phil, Rory-Tiger, maybe even Rory-D.J. or Rory-Keegan
Rory, Rory, Rory: he’s is the draw right now. He’s a cast-iron Player of the Year candidate as well as a Madison avenue darling. (And with his Tennis Tart for arm candy, the WAGS might actually deserve a drop of ink, but no more…). Golf is as sexy as it was when Woods was on the rise.
“He is even better than everyone said. He definitely lives up to the hype,” said golf fan David Barone, a life-long Tiger-phile. “He really is Number 1 in the world right now.” When the Tiger apologists become self-aware, that’s big!
Woods-Garcia, Woods-GMac, Woods-Donald
Woods is still a draw too, and getting stronger with each passing tournament. He is finally putting four days together and contending. He’s got every facet of his game under control. How about a steel-cage, mega-grudge match against Garcia? A slobbernoggin against gritty, defending Ryder Cup-clincher McDowell? Or a round with Donald and a match of past world number 1s? Any of them is TiVo-worthy.
GMac-Furyk, GMac-Phil, GMac-Webb
Westy and Donald have the star power, but McDowell has the hardware and clinched the last Ryder Cup. If he can’t face Woods, a rematch of this year’s U.S. Open final round contenders or an exchange of broadsides with Phil would be electric.
Phil v. Anybody
By now golf fans are used to the best reality show in sports: “The hair-raising, death defying hijinks of that wacky Phil Mickelson.” He’ll drive it all over the state, try some zany recovery shot, then get up and down from the deck of a sinking ship. He’s mercurial to begin with. Then there’s his insufferable habit of playing to the level of his competition. He could beat Westy or Donald, or he could get smeared by Kaymer or Lawrie.
“You yell two things at the TV,” said Barone. “It’s either ‘Yeah, Phil!’ or it’s ‘AAAAAAAAAAAAUUUUGH! Phiiiiiiiiiiiil!’ but it’s riveting.”
Which Phil will we get at Medinah? Probably both. He’ll give us shingles all weekend, but it’s always fun – if infuriating – to watch. Similarly, with the mojo he could generate with Keegan Bradley as a potential doubles mate could be electric. Phil and Keegan v. Westy and Donald or Rory and GMac are highlight reels waiting to happen.
