U.S.A. WILL WIN Ryder Cup 2016

Yeah, I'm going to say it:

The U.S.A. team will win Ryder Cup 2016 at Hazeltine National in Minnesota.

Yes, you have my permission to call me delusional, a big-time homer or maybe even an idiot (it won't be the first time) for making this bold prediction.

In the tradition of historic successful predictions made by Joe Namath in the 1969 Super Bowl and Mark Messier in the 1994 N.H.L playoffs, I believe our boys in red, white and blue will bring the Ryder Cup back to American soil.

I can already hear the naysayers out there on the Internet Highway: The Guru's had one too many single-malts, all of the cumulative jet lag has rattled his smallish brain or he's just, well, an idiot.

The Guru understands your skepticism. After all, the Euros have won six out of the last seven and four straight Ryder Cups.

That said, here are my reasons the U.S.A. will be spraying champagne on the final day after the singles matches:

NO IAN POULTER--Due to a foot injury, "Poults" will not be a playing member of the European team, although he'll be a vice captain. Poulter has been the heart and soul of the Euro team with his passion and commitment to Ryder Cup. He rallied his troops at Gleneagles in 2014 with spirited play and timely shots and he was the key player in the amazing European comeback at Medinah in 2012, where he was the top points scorer from either side. Just as impressive is Poulter's incredible run of five birdies in a row to close out his Saturday four ball match with Rory McIlroy against Jason Dufner and Zach Johnson when Europe was trailing 10-4 and seemingly dead in the water. That match pretty much started the miracle comeback.

PATRICK REED IS IN-YOUR-FACE--The pugnacious, irascible Reed is the type of take-no-prisoners player the U.S.A. team has been missing. His famous finger-to-the-lips "shooshing" of the crowd after sinking a putt at Gleneagles in Scotland in 2014 is the stuff of legend now. Reed went 3-0-1 at Gleneagles and never once backed down to the crowd or opposing players. Nobody on the American team played better than Reed at Gleneagles. The U.S.A. finally has someone as defiant and passionate as Ballesteros and Poulter and Reed should make a big difference at Hazeltine National.

TEAM U.S.A.WILL FINALLY SINK PUTTS WHEN THEY COUNT--In many ways, Ryder Cup matches evolve into putting contests. The Euros have sunk them in timely moments and the U.S.A. has not. I predict that will change in 2016. This year the U.S.A. is bringing some serious flatsticks to the moss. The U.S.A. team has six players in the top 30 in the PGA Tour's Putting Average (through the weekend ending 9/19/16): Jordan Spieth (T1), Dustin Johnson (3), Phil Mickelson (5), Brooks Koepka (T16), Matt Kuchar (T16) and Brandt Snedeker (26). The top European player is Rory McIlroy at T31, which is where U.S.A Captain's Pick J.B. Holmes is also slotted. I certainly comprehend that several of the European players don't play a full PGA Tour schedule, but the numbers are still impressive for the U.S.A. The putts are gonna drop this year and propel the U.S.A. to victory.

On Location: Ryder Cup 2014--What I Like Best

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND--The Guru arrived in Edinburgh on Monday. I took a day trip to St. Andrews on Tuesday to roam the village and shoot some video of the Old Course. The last few days I spent wandering around Edinburgh and stopping in pubs for a pint here and there or attending the Ryder Cup matches in Gleneagles, about a 1 hr and 15 minute bus ride.

Here are some of the things I like best:

Best place to hangout in Edinburgh: The Grassmarket area has lots of pubs, a pedestrian walking area that splits two streets and an amazing view upward to the Castle.

Most annoying Ryder Cup player: The nomination easily goes to Ian Poulter or "Poults" as they call him over here. This guy really hams it up for the cameras and Euro fans. All the screams, fist pumps and chest thumps get really old after awhile. Especially when the U.S.A. is losing.

Best U.S.A. players: Rickie Fowler looks in top form and the rookie duo of Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed has delivered big time. I've been very impressed with their calm demeanor and confidence when surrounded by crazed Euro fans. These guys should be great Ryder Cup players for years to come.

(Photo courtesy of PGA TOUR)

Best holes at Gleneagles to watch the action: My favorites were in the stands on No. 11 and 13 and along the ropes by the green on No. 16 and 18.

No. 13 hole

Best Ryder Cup moment: Watching Phil Mickelson sink a two-footer for birdie on the 18th hole to secure a victory with his partner Keegan Bradley on Friday morning over Rory McIlroy and Sergio Garcia.

Best players to watch at Ryder Cup 2014: Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler, Justin Rose and Victor Dubuisson.

Best places at the Ryder Cup Spectator Village: I like the BMW display where you can get a picture taken while holding an American flag; the Standing Man Public Bar, a large saloon with all sorts of whiskey and beers; and the Scotland display, where there was an occasional free whiskey sampling.

Best dressed fans at Ryder Cup 2014: A group of guys from Michigan (clients of Premier Golf) put together a super patriotic outfit with kilts, Scottish hats and stylish vests.

Best pubs in Edinburgh: My favorites near my hotel (Radisson Blu) are Deacon Brodie's on the Royal Mile and Bee Hive Inn in the Grassmarket area.

Best pub in St. Andrews: Love the lounge bar at the Dunvegan Hotel just a half block from the Old Course. I shared a few pints with a couple of caddies on my visit. Wow, did I learn a lot.

Best celebrities I've seen at Ryder Cup 2014: Basketball icon Michael Jordan, former Buffalo Bills head coach Marv Levy, former Pittsburgh Steelers great Lynn Swann and former Ryder Cup captains Corey Pavin, Colin Montgomerie and Ian Woosnam.

Best fish & chips on this trip: Cromars Classic Fish & Chips in St. Andrews

Best park to sit and view the Edinburgh Castle: Princes Street Gardens

On Location: Ryder Cup 2014 Gleneagles Resort in Scotland

EDINBURGH,SCOTLAND-- The Guru is holed up in his nice room at Radisson Blu Edinburgh overlooking the Royal Mile. As I gaze out my window, I see pubs to the left and pubs to the right. One never has to travel far for a frosty pint in this great city.

Ryder Cup 2014 is going to crank up tomorrow with lots of anticipation. If you think the RC is big in the States, you won't believe the buzz over here in Scotland.

I know there are whiners and complainers out there who don't like the Ryder Cup. Some say the Americans just can't win anymore, others criticize the rowdy fans, still others just, well, love to complain about something.

I believe it has evolved into one of the world's greatest sports events. Not on par with the World Cup certainly, but right alongside in popularity, I believe, with Wimbledon and every golf major except the Masters.

While the American fans are drastically outnumbered, the ones that made the trip across the pond have lots of spirit and camaraderie and don't seem to be paying the doomsayers much mind. The ruthless writers over here have all but buried the American team before the first tee shot on Friday.

The decided difference I see in this team is the leadership of Tom Watson. He brings calm and confidence to a U.S.A. team that's been on the losing end more often than not the past few years.

I've been very impressed with how the Scots and European Tour set up the spectator village, corporate tents, food court, bleachers and retail store. It's a giant undertaking and they performed admirably. Despite the huge crowds, people seem to move about quite nicely.

My favorite spot is "The Striding Man" pavilion and bar, a giant makeshift saloon with pints of Guinness, lagers and whiskeys. The food court has everything from fish and chips and meat pies to hot dogs, cheeseburgers and roast pork sandwiches.

I'm looking forward to three great days of golf. Perhaps the Americans will break through with Watson's leadership, but, let the best team win.

Many thanks to Atlanta, Georgia-based Premier Golf, a luxury golf travel company and official distributor of Ryder Cup travel packages for the PGA of America, for partnering with me on this trip.

Ryder Cup 2012 Re-Cap--Studs and Duds

What did we just witness?

The Miracle at Medinah or the Meltdown at Medinah.

I'm going with the latter. For two days, Captain Love made all the right moves. On the third day, everything fell apart for the Americans. He front loaded the line-up and none of his big guns delivered.

At least Jean Van de Velde, who melted down in the '99 British Open, and Greg Norman, who squandered the '96 Masters, can welcome some new members to the "All Crash and Burn All-Stars" team.

Here are some observations:

* Not to gloat, but, in a previous column I picked the Euros to win. Why? Because the Ryder Cup is a glorified putting contest and I thought the Euros could hit more clutch putts on Medinah's greens.

* All the announcers kept telling us over and over again about how Steve Stricker is the best putter on Tour. Geez, I can't remember him ever hitting a clutch putt, anywhere.

* I believe the match was lost in the Mickelson v. Rose match. Mickelson was so sure he had it wrapped up, he was giving thumbs up and smiles to Rose. Once Rose hit that 35-foot bomb putt on no. 17, it was all but over.

* Another key match was Paul Lawrie v. Brandt Snedeker. Sneds was one of the hottest players on the American squad. The 43-year old Scotsman torched him in a match Captain Love was probably sure he had in the bag.

* My biggest disappointment was the Keegan Bradley singles match loss to Rory McIlroy. The floppy haired Irish lad arrived in a police car about five minutes before his tee time. He didn't have time to warm up and hit a couple of practice putts. Then he goes out and wins a point against the red hot Bradley. Absolutely amazing. Bradley seemed a bit lost without his old back-slapping buddy Mickelson.

* I like Jim Furyk, but, let's face it, he was only chosen based on being a good buddy of Love's. Rickie Fowler or Nick Watney should have been selected instead. The only thing I'll remember about Jim at this year's Ryder Cup is him and his caddy, Fluff, spending what seemed like hours trying to read a putt. Then Furyk steps up and blows it. No, correction. First he steps up to the putt, steps away, then blows it.

* Please, no more Ian Poulter until the next Ryder Cup. With his middle-school spiked haircut, bugged out eyes and general annoying demeanor, I've had enough of this guy for a while.

* If you thought Poulter was annoying this year, wait until, oh, 2024, when becomes a captain.

* Hey, that "Win it for Seve" thing really worked.

* This was the ultimate payback for Brookline.

* In the end, their top players, McIlroy, Westwood and Donald, were better than ours, Woods, Mickelson and Watson.

* Is it just me, or does Medinah Country Club clubhouse look like it belongs in some Arab country, not Chicago.

* I absolutely love the finishing holes at Medinah, numbers 15, 16, 17 and 18. They created lots of drama and excitement.

* Sorry Captain Love, Tiger Woods should never be on the bench in any golf competition.

* You can spin the Ryder Cup 2012 anyway you want to, but the bottom line is the Euros hit countless clutch putts on the last day and the Americans did not.

Ryder Cup 2012 Preview

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The Euros are always primed and jacked up about the Ryder Cup and this year is no different. With the subdued Davis Love III as captain, the Americans will, no doubt, take a more measured and professional approach to RC 2012.
 
Rory is No. 1 and Luke Donald and Lee Westwood are number three and four in the Official World Golf Rankings, so Europe has to feel good about its chances in RC 2012 at Medniah Country Club outside Chicago September 28-30.

With Love III at the helm, I don’t think we’ll see any storming of the green like Brookline or many in-your-face fist pumps by the Americans.  By contrast, the Euros have Ian Poulter and Sergio Garcia, a couple of the most irritating, self-absorbed cheerleading golfers on the planet.
The rowdy Chicago area fans will do their best to needle Poulter and Garcia and they'll definitely return fire, so it should be some good television viewing.

Suffice it to say, much like the Masters, the Ryder Cup is largely a glorified putting contest. You can absolutely, positively not expect to win either event unless the putts are falling.

Historically, when the European players start dropping bombs from every part of the green, the Americans are in deep trouble.

I love the Red, White and Blue, but I’m picking the Euros in this one because I think they can putt anywhere and they desperately want to win on American soil.

WHAT TO EXPECT

The Americans

{The team: Tiger Woods, Bubba Watson, Jason Dufner, Keegan Bradley, Webb Simpson, Zach Johnson, Matt Kuchar, Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Jim Furyk, Brandt Snedeker and Steve Stricker}

* Look for Tiger to play well this time.  Even though his Ryder Cup record is a sorry 13-14-2, he loves to play Medinah. He won PGA Championships there in 1999 and 2006.

* Can’t wait to see Jim Furyk taking what seems like hours to line up putts, then get over the ball, only to back off again. Very scintillating television.

* At least we won’t have to watch Sneds (Brandt Snedeker) wearing that ridiculous looking visor.

* Led by low-key Love, this team seems devoid of high intensity guys except for maybe Keegan Bradley and Bubba Watson.  Watney and Fowler would’ve added a little juice to the squad.

* Seems like this team has a wealth of grinders like Dufner, Z. Johnson, Kuchar, Snedeker and Stricker. I’m not saying that’s a bad thing, just that they play steady, not necessarily exciting golf.

The Europeans

{The team: Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Graeme McDowell, Paul Lawrie, Francesco Molinari, Luke Donald, Lee Westwood, Sergio Garcia, Peter Hanson, Martin Kaymer, Ian Poulter, Nicolar Colsaerts.}

* Get ready to watch, a bunch of no-name European Tour golfers  sinking putts from everywhere. You know, guys like Peter Hanson and Paul Lawrie knocking in 30 footers in their sleep.

* Sergio Garcia will play all-world golf. If Garcia played as well in the majors as he does under pressure in the Ryder Cup, he’d have 10 majors in the bag by now.

* Ian Poulter will be annoying everytime he wins a match. Heck, he’ll be annoying all the time. Fortunately because of the uniforms, we won’t have to watch him in his signature canary yellow trousers.

* Ya gotta believe the pressure is on Martin Kaymer, who has played poorly for the past 18 months. No doubt, the American players will be lobbying Love strongly to tee up against the struggling Kaymer. He looks nothing like the golfer who won the 2010 PGA Championship.

Medinah Country Club

* In recent years, designer Rees Jones rebuilt all of Medinah’s greens. While there are a few flat pin positions on every green, most of them aren’t very large. For both teams, bring a hot flat stick or fuhgettaboutit.

* Can’t wait to see all the crash and burns on number 15 hole, a potentially reachable par 4.  It’s listed at 391 yards but typically is played from around 350 yards and sometimes as short as 280 yards.

* For wild and crazy par 3’s, the 245-yard number 13 promises  to be fun-to-watch.

Television Coverage

* NBC’s Johnny Miller and Dan Hicks will make some great calls, but, is there anything better than hearing Gary Koch’s “Better than most” call again and again. Or how about Roger Maltbie’s “It looks like a bad lie, back to you Johnny.”

* Can’t wait for the countless shots of Coach Love and Coach Olazabal driving aimlessly around the course with their walkie-talkies in a topless golf cart.

* How about the obligatory shots of the stunningly beautiful wives of American golfers. I hope tennis star Carol Wozniacki is there supporting Rory.

* If Captain Love’s picks like Furyk and Stricker falter, get ready for the incessant babble how about how great near miss picks like Rickie Fowler, Nick Watney and Hunter Mahan would have done.

* Get ready for the feel good story about European team member Luke Donald returning to Chicago where he played college golf at Northwestern. Jimmy Roberts reporting, of course.

* Can’t wait for the audio of Chicago drunks yelling “In the hole” when Americans are at the tee on a 590 yard par five or the all-to-predictable "You da Man" when a fellow citizen hits a long putt to win a hole.

* Something to look forward to: Slow-motion shots of Rory McIlroy’s golf swing. His swing is mesmerizing to watch.