BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich., Sept. 16 -- Asked in recent weeks if they would like to be paired with each other in the Ryder Cup, Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson have each responded, "I'd love it." When play begins Friday morning with four best-ball matches on Oakland Hills's South course, they'll get that chance.
American team captain Hal Sutton said Thursday that he has been contemplating that powerful pairing since the day he accepted the job in October 2002.
European player Sergio Garcia, of Spain, signs autographs while sitting on the shoulders of teammate Thomas Levet.
(Paul Sancya -- AP)
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| _____ The 35th Ryder Cup _____
• Europeans close out United States with authority and style.
• Thomas Boswell: The Euros have more fun and, maybe as a result, win more recent Ryder Cups.
• Notebook: Davis Love III can't explain why the the U.S. team has struggled for a decade. _____ Basics _____
• Facts and figures
• Hole by hole at Oakland Hills
• U.S. player capsules
• European player capsules _____ Sunday's Results _____
Europe 18.5, United States 9.5 Singles: Europe 7.5, U.S. 4.5
• Tiger Woods, United States, def. Paul Casey, Europe, 3 and 2.
• Sergio Garcia, Europe, vs. Phil Mickelson, United States, 3 and 2.
• Davis Love III, United States, halved with Darren Clarke, Europe.
• Jim Furyk, United States, def. David Howell, Europe, 6 and 4.
• Lee Westwood, Europe, def. Kenny Perry, United States, 1 up.
• Colin Montgomerie, Europe, def. David Toms, United States, 1 up.
• Chad Campbell, United States, def. Luke Donald, Europe, 5 and 3.
• Chris DiMarco, United States, def. Miguel A. Jimenez, Europe, 1 up.
• Thomas Levet, Europe, def. Fred Funk, United States, 1 up.
• Ian Poulter, Europe, def. Chris Riley, United States, 3 and 2.
• Padraig Harrington, Europe, def. Jay Haas, United States, 1 up.
• Paul McGinley, Europe, def. Stewart Cink, United States, 3 and 2.
_____ Photos _____
• Day 3: Europe Completes Defense
• Day 2: U.S. Needs a Miracle
• Day 1: Americans Dig Deep Hole | | |
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Woods, ranked No. 2 in the world, and Mickelson, No. 4, will go off first for the Americans against another marquee twosome, Padraig Harrington and Colin Montgomerie.
"I told these two guys that I felt like the perception of the world was that the U.S. team didn't bond and we didn't come together as a team," Sutton said in explaining his decision to pair Woods and Mickelson, former Cup teammates who are not considered the best of friends. "I said 'I can't think of any other message that we could send any louder than to put you two guys out first.' "
Later at the opening ceremonies, the crowd roared when the Woods-Mickelson combination was announced, and Sutton added, "I felt like history needed it. I felt like the fans needed it. And most of all, I felt like Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods needed it."
Sutton also admitted there was a downside: The Europeans have a chance to steal early momentum with an upset.
"There's always a chance of" losing, Sutton said of Woods, No. 1 in birdies on the PGA Tour, and Mickelson, No. 2. "The way I look at that is I can't imagine anything that would aggravate those two guys more than to get beat. So man, there would be some hell to pay if that happens."
It's far from a foregone conclusion. Harrington is ranked eighth in the world, and Montgomerie has the best Ryder Cup record of any European in history at 16-7-5, including 4-0-1 in Europe's three-point victory at the Belfry in 2002.
Said European captain Bernhard Langer, "If we can get a win out of that [match], that will really pump us up."
Sutton also indicated he might keep Woods and Mickelson together in the afternoon session of alternate-shot play.
"We're fine with it," Woods said. "We're totally excited about it."
"I think I had a decent idea for some time," Mickelson said. "I love the pairing."
In Friday's other morning matches, Davis Love III will pair with Cup rookie Chad Campbell to face Europeans Darren Clarke and Miguel Angel Jimenez. American rookie Chris Riley will play with Stewart Cink against Paul McGinley and European rookie Luke Donald, and Americans David Toms and Jim Furyk will face Sergio Garcia and Lee Westwood.
Each match is worth a point for a victory and a half-point for a draw. The first team to get to 14 1/2 points wins the match. If the teams tie at 14, Europe will retain the cup it won at the Belfry.
