Team Europe Yet Again?
Brooks clearly not a fan of team golf / Woody Austin's hilarious putting celebrations
Hi all! 👋
Thanks to all of you who read this week in week out - and enjoy it.
If you’re enjoying The Mulligan, please do us a favour and forward this mail to your mates that haven’t read it. We’ll appreciate it!
Secondly - are you interested in the business side of golf? The Perfect Putt writes a weekly newsletter breaking down the money behind golf. From FedEx Cup Payouts, to Bobby Jones placing a $1,200 bet on himself to win the Grand Slam.
Subscribe below to have the Perfect Putt in your inbox every Monday morning.
Right - onto this week’s features in The Mulligan:
Can Team Europe make it 5 wins in the last 6 outings? 🤔
Our 4 best-handpicked equipment deals for the week
Our (short) Weekly Pub Quiz! 🍻
This week’s best bets for the Dutch Open and Fortinet Championship
Snippets including a leopard on course in South Africa, Brooks clearly not one for team golf, Horschel disappointed not to get a call from Stricker and lastly Francesco Laporta hits own coach from wayward tee shot at Wentworth
Before you go check out classic Woody Austin’s facetious celebrations! 😂
Free Roll of Padraig Harrington playing down Team Europe’s chances and admitting himself and Sergio not been the best of friends through their careers
But before we jump in, here are some interesting stats from the past week.
Big OWGR Movers
Here are the biggest movers over the last week on the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR)
📈 Billy Horschel 28 --> 18
📈 Laurie Canter 170 --> 96
📈 Thomas Pieters 128 --> 112
📈 Sean Crocker 157 --> 137
📈 Andrew Johnston 271 --> 186
Last Week’s Winners’ Cheques
💰 Billy Horschel - $1 326 004 (European Tour)
💰 David Toms - $300 000 (Champions Tour)
💰 Thomas Levet - $52 995 (Legends Tour)
💰 Angel Hidalgo - $37 685 (Challenge Tour)
💰 Atthaya Thitikul - $35 330 (Ladies European Tour)
💰 Jacques Kruyswijk - $11 170 (Sunshine Tour)
Last Week’s Last Place Cheques
💰 $12 859 - European Tour
💰 $953 - Legends Tour (*no cut)
💰 $940 - Champions Tour (*no cut)
💰 $612 - Challenge Tour
💰 $447 - Ladies European Tour
💰 $381 - Sunshine Tour
Yet Another European Ryder Cup Win?
Undoubtedly team Europe are underdogs for next week’s Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits. Looking at just about every ‘important’ stat possible, the Europeans don’t lead in one single segment…
A whopping average of 20 OWGR points stronger for the USA in terms of the rankings - never mind the average age being almost 6 years younger. Some will argue this is to their advantage and others can argue this a slight negative as experience is vital in the Ryder Cup.
Then there’s the Strokes Gained stats…
The USA are only marginal leaders, but they are still leaders in terms of the modern day statistics.
With all that being said, how important are those numbers really? How much weight does team spirit and camaraderie carry?
Despite the odds being in USA’s favour, I’m leaning towards Europe to pull off yet another win against all odds. Look - I may have egg on my face late Sunday 26th September, but that’s fine. I’ll take it on the chin.
I think it’s plain to see that as much as Team USA may try to pump themselves up and build the team spirit for the week, there are just too many ‘individuals’. The team members are incredibly proud and there is no denying that, but with players like Brooks Koepka and what he mentioned to Kyle Porter (see below snippet), it’s obvious to work out he is not a fan of team golf whatsoever and very likely struggles to put differences aside for the week of the Ryder Cup (or President’s Cup).
Yes, Team USA may still come to the fore and dominate when things get off to a good start, but if there are any early errors in each of the rounds they may well struggle to claw back and win the valued point(s).
Already Brooks and Bryson don’t see eye to eye and even though there may be a handshake and smile to kick the week off, there will likely be very little communication between the two throughout the week. And unfortunately their relationship - even though they’re only two members of the 12 strong - may have a small margin of toxic negativity that affects their teammates.
Team Europe are certainly up against it playing away from home and having very little European fans due to covid. But they just know how to put all their egos and differences aside and focus on the task at hand each and every time. Despite them being from a mix of between 5 - 8 countries most years.
Ian Poulter is undoubtedly a huge asset to the team and even if he wasn’t in the best of form coming into the Ryder Cup, he may still well have been picked. Instrumental in inspiring the team and building the spirit - particularly for the newbie rookies.
Team USA seems to be missing this type of positive catalyst. If any then I would say Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas are the ones who will need to step up the plate and drive the team spirit, but will they make enough of an impact?
Time will tell…
🔥 This Week’s Hottest Equipment Deals 🔥
Srixon Z85 SRX Golf Bag less 23% - Check deal here
Nike Mens Victory Stripe Polo less 45% - Check deal here
Cleveland Launcher HB Hybrid less 50% - Check deal here
Srixon Z 585 Driver less 53% - Check deal here
Pub Quiz
Three questions. Three Answers for each. A bit like The Chase except you get bugger-all in return. Just your trivial pride! (Answers at the bottom)
What happens if a player is injured during the Ryder Cup and cannot play the Singles?
A - Walkover & 1 point conceded to opposite team
B - Opposing Captain can select a player to sit out & match is deemed a half
C - A player can be replaced by a reserve
Since it changed (from GB & I) to Europe vs USA in 1979 which team has won more editions?
A - Europe
B - USA
C - Tied
Who has the best singles record (total points) at the Ryder Cup?
A - Colin Montgomerie
B - Sir Nick Faldo
C - Sergio Garcia
Our Best Bets this Week
We’ve kept a record of our best bets to date as well as profit & loss. Check our detailed record here
Our value picks for this week’s Dutch Open and Fortinet Championship are as follows.
Dutch Open
Joost Luiten EW @ 22/1 (Place Bet Here - Paying 6 Places)
Shubankar Sharma EW @ 30/1 (Place Bet Here - Paying 6 Places)
Joakim Lagergren EW @ 50/1 (Place Bet Here - Paying 6 Places)
Fortinet Championship
Cameron Champ EW @ 40/1 (Place Bet Here - Paying 8 Places)
Marc Leishman EW @ 40/1 (Place Bet Here - Paying 8 Places)
Chez Reavie EW @ 66/1 (Place Bet Here - Paying 8 Places)
⚡️ Bet £10 (€10), Get £30 (€30) In Free Bets
✅ Golf Snippets
Check out this leopard at Skukuza Golf Club in South Africa (via Tony Johnstone). Imagine running into this during your round! 🐆
Interesting to read Kyle Porter’s transcript with Brooks Koepka and reading between the lines he’s not a fan of team play at all. Late withdrawal on the cards perhaps? He also mentioned that he believes he will catch Tiger’s record of 15 majors. He did however leave out Jack in this discussion. I don’t think he will catch either of them.
Billy Horschel disappointed he didn’t get at least a call from Steve Stricker after missing out on selection for team USA. Was it worthy? Necessary?
Italian Francesco Laporta hit is own caddy from a stray tee shot during final round of the BMW PGA. Despite being all bandaged up and Laporta having a disappointing round, he stuck around to follow his player right to the end on Sunday. Now THAT is commitment!
Wait a Second! 🤣
This will forever be a classic. Woody Austin at his facetious gesticulating best! Three top 10’s in his last three starts…get in!!
Answers to Pub Quiz
- B (‘Envelope’ rule)
- A (Europe)
- A (Colin Montgomerie - 7 points)
Interested in sponsoring our newsletter?
Thank you for your interest in The Mulligan - a weekly newsletter for golf enthusiasts. Find out more here.
👍 How did we do?
With your feedback, we can improve the letter. Click on a link to vote:
👍 Interesting and fun. Thanks!
Free Roll
Interesting to watch the interview with Padraig Harrington bringing up his not so great relationship with Sergio however putting all that aside for the good of team Europe next week. Even though he’s downplaying their chances - great tactic!!