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Bamberger: We should pause for a moment to remember the greatness that was Colin Montgomerie. He was a quote machine, and we'll all be a lot poorer without him there. But it's a new era.
Garrity: One thing the Euros lose with Monty is gamesmanship. The American fans picked on him, called him names. The Euros have always been able to feel self-righteous that their big guy is battling insurmountable odds. That was a nice card for them to play. They might miss that.
Here's how it turns out ...
Garrity: The pressure is off. Expectations are low. I say the Americans win, but it'll be close.
Shipnuck: I have to take Europe. The talent disparity is too great. I could see it being close going into Sunday and then the Euros take eight of 12 singles matches.
Bamberger: Don't the Americans usually play better in singles?
Van Sickle: That's because it's already over by Sunday.
Bamberger: The Americans win a close one. Azinger will make the difference, just like Nicklaus makes the difference in the Presidents Cup. There's something special about Zinger. He's an odd combination of a guy who's fun but really intense. The Americans haven't had a captain like that, maybe ever. Not Watson, not Curtis, not Lehman, certainly not Sutton. I think the captain does matter in the Ryder Cup, and Zinger will get the best out of his players.
Van Sickle: He also negotiated a little-known deal that if the matches end in a tie, the captains decide the winner by playing Foosball. Zinger's a mortal lock in that one. Seriously, I agree with Michael — Zinger is worth four points. That enables the Americans to close the gap and create an exciting finish, and they lose by a single point. Europe keeps the Cup, America earns a moral victory and interest in the event is, thankfully, rejuvenated.
Anonymous Pro: People will lambaste me if I don't pick the U.S., but I honestly think Europe is too strong. It'll be closer than in years past, although how could it not be? It'll come down to the final three or four matches on Sunday — or at least I hope it does. I still think Europe is going to do it and, man, I hate saying that.
Van Sickle: What if the Americans get clobbered again?
Anonymous Pro: We park the Ryder Cup bus by the practice tee, and the first 12 guys who get on are the new team. We've changed the points. We've given the captain more picks. We've tried everything else. Screw it.
