Dubai: Europe or the US? That’s the burning question ahead of this week’s 43rd Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits. We spoke to four local professionals to get their predictions on golf’s greatest contest, but be warned, they all originally come from Europe so they may be a tad biased!
Alastair Brown
Head Professional – Emirates Golf Club
Which team you think will win?
The US players are too strong this year in the World Ranking and they’re in very good form. Europe’s best players haven’t quite got the form going into the week although, hopefully, the camaraderie changes this!
Who will be the standout player?
Koepka for the US - he already has a good record and this style of course will suit his game.
Your favourite memory from the Ryder Cup?
There has been a lot of great moments at The Ryder Cup for Irish players. I think the performance Darren Clarke displayed in Ireland at the K Club will go down as one of the greatest of all-time.
Olivia Jackson
LPGA Professional – Emirates Golf Club
Which team you think will win?
I think it will be a close call. On paper, the US are obviously stronger but in terms of team chemistry and the general passion of the game, the Europeans might just sneak in the win but it’s definitely going to be a tight one in front of the US crowd.
Who will be the standout player?
I’d like it to be Ian Poulter but I think there are a lot of good rookies on the US team that have been playing really well this season and will most likely produce at Whistling Straits. It’s a different format so we can’t really predict what’s going to happen under a different type of pressure they aren’t typically under week-after-week in strokeplay events.
Your favourite memory from the Ryder Cup?
It has to be the Miracle in Medinah! It didn’t look like we were going to pull through in the last few holes but we finished off in style and dedicated it to Seve Ballesteros, which was special. I grew up watching videos of Seve and reading all his books so to see that emotional last gasp win for the Europeans was phenomenal. It was amazing to watch.
Jamie Coughlin
PGA Professional – Topgolf Dubai
Which team you think will win?
Europe are going to win the Ryder Cup. It’s going to be a very closely fought match with the US on homesoil making it even more difficult for Europe to come through and win, but I think we’ve got some key players with more fight and heart that are going to pull us through.
Who will be the standout player?
I think Jon Rahm and Rory McIlroy will both be the standout stars this week. They’ve got so much fight in them and they’re going to come through and give Europe such an uplift, which should hopefully be enough to retain the cup. We’ve not got the best players on paper this year but I do believe we are going to smash it because we want it so much!
Your favourite memory from the Ryder Cup?
I remember Colin Montgomerie playing his seventh Ryder Cup and holing the winning putt. Graeme McDowell’s winning putt at Celtic Manor was also pretty special, I remember watching that in a pro shop and thinking ‘what the hell is going on here,’ it was awesome.
Jackson Bell
PGA Professional – Peter Cowen Academy
Which team you think will win?
It will be fairly close but I think Europe will retain the Ryder Cup this year, I’m purely basing on two points with the first being team chemistry, which is massive in team events. I see the US team as more of a squad of individuals and egos whereas Europe are a very close-knit team. Secondly, I think the European team is full of really good ball strikers and Whistling Straits is a course that’s really going to suit them. Europe are probably the underdogs which is going to spur them on.
Who will be the standout player?
I like the fact that a lot of people are calling Shane Lowry a rookie, which he is, but I think Shane will probably go above and beyond what everybody expects this week. Although he is a rookie, he’s a Major winner and having that experience puts him in good standing so I think he will play well this week.
Your favourite memory from the Ryder Cup?
Would definitely have to be back in home in Scotland when the tournament was played at Gleneagles. Jamie Donaldson’s pitching wedge to within two feet of the cup on the final hole was a standout moment along with Justin Rose’s shot out of the trees on the same hole.
