What the sports writers think

A poll of British and Irish golf writers attending this week’s Ryder Cup overwhelmingly points to a European victory.
A poll of golf writers at this week’s Ryder Cup overwhelmingly points to Europe winning back the trophy on Sunday.
Out of 31 writers, 28 went for Colin Montgomerie’s side to triumph at Celtic Manor.
But if Tiger Woods does face Rory McIlroy in Sunday’s singles, 19 go for Woods to win, nine tip the 21-year-old Ulsterman and three predict a halved match.
Woods has not been left out of a session in his cup career, but 19 of the 31 journalists – not the same 19 – think Corey Pavin will bench him at some stage.
As for the top scorers on either side, Woods and Martin Kaymer are the most popular picks, although 19 of the 24 players received at least one vote.
The five who did not register? For Europe it is Miguel Angel Jimenez and Ross Fisher and for the Americans Matt Kuchar, Jeff Overton and Bubba Watson.
JAMES CORRIGAN (The Independent): Europe 15-13. Top scorers: Westwood, Woods. Woods to play five: yes. McIlroy v Woods: Woods 4&3
MARK REASON (Daily Telegraph): Europe 15½ -12½. Top scorers: McDowell, Mahan. Woods to play five: no. McIlroy v Woods: McIlroy 3&1
PETER DIXON (The Times): Europe 15-13. Top scorers: Harrington, Mahan. Woods to play five: no. McIlroy v Woods: Woods 3&2
DEREK LAWRENSON (Daily Mail): Europe 15-13. Top scorers: Kaymer, Woods. Woods to play five: yes. McIlroy v Woods: Woods 4&3
NEIL SQUIRES (Daily Express): Europe 14½ – 13½. Top scorers: Poulter, Woods. Woods to play five: no. McIlroy v Woods: half
DAVID FACEY (The Sun): Europe 16-12. Top scorers: Kaymer, Stricker. Woods to play five: no. McIlroy v Woods: Woods 3&2
NEIL McLEMAN (Daily Mirror): Europe 15-13. Top scorers: McDowell, Dustin Johnson. Woods to play five: no. McIlroy v Woods: Woods 4&3
PETER HIGGS (Mail on Sunday): Europe 15-13. Top scorers: Kaymer, Furyk. Woods to play five: no. McIlroy v Woods: Woods 4&3
JAMES MOSSOP (News of the World): Europe 17-11. Top scorers: McDowell, Mickelson. Woods to play five: no. McIlroy v Woods: half
ANTHONY WOOLFORD (Western Mail, Wales): Europe 15½ – 12½. Top scorers: Poulter, Furyk. Woods to play five: no. McIlroy v Woods: McIlroy 2&1
DOUGLAS LOWE (The Herald, Scotland): Europe 15½ – 12½. Top scorers: Poulter, Woods. Woods to play five: yes. McIlroy v Woods: Woods 3&2
MARTIN DEMPSTER (The Scotsman): Europe 16-12. Top scorers: Donald, Mickelson. Woods to play five: yes. McIlroy v Woods: Woods 2&1
JOCK MacVICAR (Scottish Daily Express): Europe 15½ – 12½. Top scorers: Donald, Zach Johnson. Woods to play five: no. McIlroy v Woods: McIlroy 2&1
TOM ENGLISH (Scotland on Sunday): Europe 15-13. Top scorers: McDowell, Woods. Woods to play five: yes. McIlroy v Woods: Woods 2&1
CRAIG SWAN (Daily Record, Scotland): Europe 15-13. Top scorers: Kaymer, Zach Johnson. Woods to play five: no. McIlroy v Woods: Woods 2&1
PHILIP REID (Irish Times): Europe 15-13. Top scorers: Donald, Dustin Johnson. Woods to play five: no. McIlroy v Woods: McIlroy 1 hole
KARL McGINTY (Irish Independent): Europe 14½ – 13½.Top scorers: McDowell, Woods. Woods to play five: no. McIlroy v Woods: McIlroy 2&1
CHARLIE MULQUEEN (Irish Examiner): Europe 15-13. Top scorers: Harrington, Dustin Johnson. Woods to play five: yes. McIlroy v Woods: half
DAVID SMITH (Evening Standard, London): Europe 15-13. Top scorers: Poulter, Woods. Woods to play all five: yes. McIlroy v Woods: Woods 3&2
DOUG FERGUSON (Associated Press): Europe 15-13. Top scorers: Westwood, Dustin Johnson. Woods to play five: no. McIlroy v Woods: McIlroy 1 hole
STEVE DIMEGLIO: United States 15-13. Top scorers: Donald, Furyk. Woods to play five: no. McIlroy v Woods: Woods 2&1
ART SPANDER (San Francisco Examiner): Europe 14½ – 13½. Top scorers: Poulter, Mahan. Woods to play five: no. McIlroy v Woods: Woods 3&2
STEVE ELLING (cbssports.com): Europe 14½ – 13½. Top scorers: Hanson, Mahan. Woods to play five: yes. McIlroy v Woods: Woods 4&3
GARY VAN SICKLE (Sports Illustrated): United States 14½ – 13½. Top scorers: Kaymer, Dustin Johnson. Woods to play five: yes. McIlroy v Woods: Woods 1 hole
JASON SOBEL (espan.com): Europe 16½ – 11½. Top scorers: the Molinaris, Fowler. Woods to play five: yes. McIlroy v Woods: Woods 1 hole
LARRY DORMAN (New York Times): Europe 14½ – 13½. Top scorers: Harrington, Furyk. Woods to play five: no. McIlroy v Woods: Woods 1 hole
CHRIS CLAREY (International Herald Tribune/New York Times): United States 14½ – 13½. Top scorers: Donald, Furyk. Woods to play five: no. McIlroy v Woods: McIlroy 2&1
ROBERT LUSETICH (foxsports.com): Europe 16-12. Top scorers: Kaymer, Woods. Woods to play five: yes. McIlroy v Woods: Woods 2&1
MARK LAMPORT-STOKES (Reuters): Europe 15-13. Top scorers: McIlroy, Furyk. Woods to play five: no. McIlroy v Woods: McIlroy 3&2
MARK GARROD (Press Association Sport): Europe 14½ – 13½. Top scorers: Kaymer, Mickelson. Woods to play five: yes. McIlroy v Woods: Woods 2&1
PHIL CASEY (Press Association Sport): Europe 16-12. Top scorers: Westwood, Cink. Woods to play five: no. McIlroy v Woods: McIlroy 1 hole
Latest
-
News
On this day in 2008: Ryder Cup misery in Louisville for Nick Faldo’s Europe
Faldo was heavily criticised for his tactics in the closing singles.
-
Lucas Glover edges past Patrick Cantlay to claim back-to-back Tour wins
Glover, 43, ultimately claimed victory with a par on the 18th hole playoff after Cantlay found water off the tee.
-
Lilia Vu wins second major as Charley Hull comes up short despite stunning eagle
American Vu added the Women’s Open title to her Chevron Championship.
-
Lucas Glover holds onto lead in Memphis with Tommy Fleetwood two strokes behind
Glover said it was a scrappy day but he got ‘a lot out of’ what he had.
-
Charley Hull shares lead with Lilia Vu heading into final day of Women’s Open
The pair are nine under for the tournament.
-
On This Day in 2007 – Tiger Woods claims 13th major with victory in Oklahoma
The world number one successfully defended his US PGA Championship title.
-
Ally Ewing out to emulate Brian Harman with Open win
The pair share their southern roots, passion for hunting and college teams named the Bulldogs.
-
Ally Ewing storms clear during second round of AIG Women’s Open at Walton Heath
At 10 under par Ewing enjoyed a five-shot lead over compatriot Andrea Lee and Japan’s Minami Katsu.
-
Jordan Spieth leads by one after first round of FedEx St Jude Championship
England’s Tommy Fleetwood and Aaron Rai are the best of the British contingent, closing out Thursday on four under par.
-
Rory McIlroy delighted with Tiger Woods’ role on PGA Tour’s policy board
Woods, 47, has not played since withdrawing from April’s Masters and concedes his playing opportunities will be extremely limited going forward.