Some Thoughts on Team USA's Potential Pairings

My great guesses on Team Europe's pairings would be less than useful. Given that I did pretty well guessing Furyk's picks -- due to the fact they were pretty clean to a USA fan -- I'm going to task a few thoughts on our pairings as properly.

There has been a variety of buzz because the Spieth/Reed pairing hasn't been mentioned much. I suspect they will play a few fourball collectively, but I can see a actual motive no longer to pair them in foursomes. Given how thick the rough is, having Spieth try and play Reed's now and again wild tee ball with a terrible wrist sounds disastrous to me. You want to move as smooth on Spieth's wrist as possible -- and Thomas's wrist as properly.

Coupled with Spieth's persisted putting issues, a Spieth/Reed foursome pairing simply looks like a awful idea to me.

While there is been some naysaying approximately a Woods/Reed foursome pairing -- the rumors being spawned by using Reed working towards with a Bridgestone ball -- I don't assume this is this type of farfetched idea. We know Reed idolizes Tiger, what with carrying the same Sunday outfit and all, and we recognise he can take the heat of the pairing. But many have forgotten how Tiger helped Reed plan out his returned 9 at the Gleneagles Ryder Cup. I recollect how excited Reed turned into whilst he advised the media approximately it.

There's a connection between the 2 there, and I can see Furyk utilizing it. I do not think he'd have had Reed working with Tiger's ball in any other case.

And Reed proved he can hit fairways with that little "whirlybird" reduce that he used to win the Masters. While I don't suppose you need to danger Spieth's wrist on an occasional omit, I do not think it is going to be a hassle for Tiger. And simply believe the energy in that grouping!

I suspect Furyk will try and play absolutely everyone as a minimum once on Friday, and I suppose there are a number of logical pairings that he can use. Many of those players have teamed up before (with various amounts of fulfillment, and perhaps in most effective one format) at the same time as others are new.

• Woods/DeChambeau
• Woods/Reed
• Woods/Thomas
• Woods/Fowler
• Simpson/Watson
• Simpson/Finau
• Fowler/Watson
• Fowler/Mickelson
• Fowler/Johnson
• Johnson/Mickelson
• Johnson/Simpson
• Johnson/Thomas
• Johnson/Koepka
• Johnson/Finau
• Finau/Mickelson
• Spieth/Thomas
• Spieth/Johnson
• Spieth/Reed

I think it's been overlooked how many players Rickie Fowler could be profitably paired with. Rickie routinely plays money games with Tiger, Phil, DJ, Jordan, Justin and Bubba. And being a veteran, he could also be teamed with Tony, perhaps with similar results as he would get with DJ or JT. I won't be surprised to see Furyk use Rickie in much the same way as Tiger.

On an character basis, I search for Tiger, Rickie and Webb to be standouts this week, and I suppose DJ, Tony, Bryson and Brooks have some thing to prove -- which simply might encourage them to do some thing unique. Conversely, I'm a piece anxious about Jordan and JT's wrists (I nonetheless suppose JT's wrist affected his play in the Tour Championship), and I actually have blended feelings about Phil and Patrick. In in shape play, in which even making a triple is most effective one hollow misplaced, Phil and Patrick are so explosive that they can break out with plenty. Still, each were a chunk erratic in the remaining half of of the season.

As for the rumors of a Tiger/Phil pairing... I sincerely do suppose they would love to strive one in shape, just to prove they've grow to be true crew gamers and can work collectively ON the path in addition to they've OFF the path. But the pairing really would not make experience, particularly if both play nicely. Why create a unmarried suitable team while you can pair them with more youthful gamers and subject double the firepower?

We'll discover early nowadays -- at the least, early right here in the Southeastern US -- what the morning fourball pairings could be. With such a lot of capacity pairings, it's a piece of a raffle trying to bet which individuals could be in the first session. It's likely less complicated to guess who will sit down.

• Bubba Watson
• Jordan Spieth
• Webb Simpson
• Justin Thomas

I know that goes against popular belief, but I'm guessing these four will make up two of the afternoon foursomes (Watson/Simpson and Spieth/Thomas). I'd rest Bubba because he's under the weather, Spieth and Thomas because of their wrists, and Webb because he'll partner Bubba. I'd also want to give Webb a chance to ease into the matches rather than go out in the first session.

So it truly is my feeling about the first suits. Let's see how I do!