Gee, I like Europe here. Clarke would have molded a great culture, a night on the turps as a bonding session. They all love him and will play for him. Ego’s will be checked at the door. Not sure how many saw the vision of the team cheering when Rory sunk the winning putt on Sunday, but I can’t see the US team cheering like that had one of theirs done the same. Bubba is not a liked person amongst many on tour and that is apparently why he was left out, but Love still brings him into the team as a vice-captain. Team harmony will be a factor here. The six debutants are the issue though. At home I would have no issues with it, but away is an issue. Hopefully Clarke manages it fine.
For top point scorer I’m looking at guys that have done something on the course previously. Hazletine hosted the 2009 PGA Championship, and Rory, Westwood, Kaymer, Stenson, and Dustin all finished top 10. Westwood is not the player he was then, and Dustin is a better player. Not sure about Stenson and the knee. Rory has done well in the past two WGC match plays as well (1[SUP]st[/SUP] and 3[SUP]rd[/SUP]), while Willett beat Furyk for 3[SUP]rd[/SUP] last year. The US team will be able to spread the players around, with probably only Spieth and Dustin likely playing in five matches. Koepka, Zach, Holmes and probably Phil will play three at most, not sure about Koepka and Walker. That leaves Fowler, Kuchar, Reed and Moore as chances. Fowler has a shocking match play record. There is no value on Reeds price.
I’ve had something on Europe +2 at +105, Kaymer top Continental European at +450, Kuchar top USA at +1200 (win and top 3)