Pga Tour Confidential

VAN SICKLE: It can be arranged. Brian Barnes famously upset Jack Nicklaus back when they played two rounds of singles the same day [in 1975]. Nicklaus wanted a rematch, the captains made it happen, and Barnes became a legend by beating Jack a second time. Of course, the U.S. was en route to winning by 10 points, so nothing was at stake.

BAMBERGER: I think the chances are strong that we'll all get what we want.

SHIPNUCK: That's why there are assistant captains. They can be go-betweens. The Ryder Cup is a global spectacle, and the world wants to see one thing: Rory versus Tiger.

HOT SPOTS

VAN SICKLE: Where on the venerable Medinah course would you go to enjoy prime spectating?

SHIPNUCK: My new favorite hole at Medinah is one I haven't seen yet—the new 15th, which Rees Jones has redone. It was a nondescript par-4. Now it's a do-or-die drivable par-4 with water guarding the right side of the green. Rees said his model was the 10th at the Belfry.

ANONYMOUS PRO: That sounds pretty interesting.

SHIPNUCK: The Belfry's 10th became a quintessential Ryder Cup hole. Seve was the first who tried to drive the green every time, and you had to match him. It wasn't only about golf, it was about your manhood.

ANONYMOUS PRO: If I'm going to a Ryder Cup, I want to see birdies and eagles. Medinah has some long par-4s—they're tedious. I'd park at a reachable par-5 and wait for some fireworks.

GARRITY: Medinah has three par-3 holes over water—the 2nd, 13th and 17th. You can get a great view around one of those greens or even around the elevated tees. You can watch the putting from there with binoculars.