Champions Tour players share Ryder Cup predictions

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Dave Stockton played his first Ryder Cup in 1971 and will be a Captain's assistant this year. Tom Kite appeared on the U.S. roster seven times and served as Captain in 1997. Six of the following 16 players have competed in the Ryder Cup and, when their records are combined, have participated in 81 matches and have a 35-35-11 record.

Those who never wore the team uniform still had a rooting interest in the competition and tuned in to watch their colleagues contend in thrilling matches through the years. So who better than these experienced players to offer predictions for the 2008 Ryder Cup?

See who these Champions Tour players think will win in the U.S. vs. Europe duel:

Curtis Strange

It's tough to say because I don't know many of the players on the teams. They are all so far behind me. All of them are world-class players. It will be exciting but I hope it's not like the last two Ryder Cups where the U.S. team got pummeled. Our guys are good. They just need to play better in this particular event. I think actually this time that the U.S. team will be okay. I truly believe that at times, a sports team needs something to rally around. I think these guys will sit back in that team room on Friday morning and say, "Let's play hard. Let's get this thing done this year because we don't have Tiger. Let's prove to the world that we can play. Nothing against Tiger but we can play and we can win without him." It's something that will be a valid point during the week.

Tom Kite

I really think Paul's (Azinger) got a nice blend of veteran players and some younger players. I like the brashness of the younger guys. If they play with the same brashness that they do as individuals in the team format, I think we'll do okay.

Mark James

Both teams stack up pretty well. The American system of selecting the teams has been revamped. It was unbelievably stupid for a number of years. I think that will make a big difference. Zinger was right to get in there and change it. That equalizes things quite a lot. I think his wild card picks were pretty good. He wanted people with a bit of attitude and in your face and that will be good for the American team. I still think the European team is very strong and has lots of depth. It will be close but Europe should win. They have the stronger team.

Joey Sindelar

It's very clear that on 12-man teams it's evenly matched stuff. It isn't even surprising to me if there's kind of a blowout one way or another. When the wheels get out of alignment, golf is a tough thing and, under that kind of pressure, you just hope there's a way. Our guys, they want to win and they put so much pressure on themselves. I've never been part of the team and I'm criticizing from outside, I just hope that they can take a looseness with them. They are obviously good enough. They are 12 of the 24 best players in the world will be there that week and I just think if they just go play ball, we can end this horrific tightening of the vice that's occurred over the past few years. We play in an individual sport and when we get together and play - it's not different for the other side - that bogey isn't just your bogey or that trophy that went out the window, it's also the rest of the teams. The pressure is amazingly different that we do every week that is just for ourselves. It's tough stuff I just hope they can roll with it and say hey, we're here let's enjoy the experience, let's be loose and have fun. Easier said than done, I'm sure though.

Mike Hulbert

We (the United States) are definitely going to win. And there's going to be an unsung hero, who will be someone that doesn't have any experience. Let's say the guy that wins the most points will be someone who doesn't have any Ryder Cup experience.

Ed Dougherty

I hope we (the U.S.) win. Being a sports fan, I hope the Americans win, just like I hope all of the Philadelphia teams win, since I'm from there. Most importantly, I just want to see good sportsmanship throughout the entire event.

Gil Morgan

I feel like every year our team should have a good chance but they don't seem to pull it off. I just hope they do well in this championship.

Tom Purtzer

The Americans. Won't even be close. The law of averages are going to kick in one of these years. Just seems like the Europeans play the best of all year that week and make putts from everywhere. They are all great players, it just seems like they play their best golf that week. I think it's given them a lot of confidence. Now Padraig Harrington has won two majors this year. I think it's tough on our guys to have so much pressure on them. It's so much different from any other tournament -- the pressure starts nine months before the event and it just keeps building. By the time the thing gets there, they are so keyed up it just makes it hard to play...I think we've got 12 good players besides Tiger and hopefully the Americans will win. It's always interesting to watch, always fun to watch. I'd put a my money on the Americans.

Dave Stockton

Since I'm an assistant captain I have to say us (the U.S.). We have a few things against us right now but I think Paul Azinger is going to do a good job.

Dana Quigley

Always have to pick the U.S...I think we're going to have some young guns and long hitters with J.B (Holmes). We played our PGA at Valhalla and it's a really hard golf course, so it's going to be interesting.

Jim Thorpe

We (the U.S.) are getting our ass kicked so much, man, we need something. I don't know what it is, but I tell you what, I'm betting on The European Team this year. You can see the hugs and the laughs and high fives and chest pumping and bumping. The American players don't seem to have that. They seem to be more laid back...I think that's the one thing that's missing with the American Team and doesn't have to do with the captain. I just think players as a whole, they don't have that excitement. And there's probably four or five players, Jim Furyks and Tiger Woods, these guys are going to get whatever they get anyway. I think it's probably the fourth or fifth guy down, these are the guys that you really need to draw together and just let those guys know. I remember Tiger played with a rookie a couple years ago (Chris Riley), I think at The Ryder Cup in Michigan. This kid was so excited, playing with Tiger Woods, in the Ryder Cup, and his game just completely stepped up to another level. I think that's the type of excitement that we need.

Andy Bean

I think we (the U.S.) will win. I think both teams are going to have some inexperience but I think Kenny Perry is going to be a key there because he knows that course well being from around there. I think he'll draw a lot of energy from the crowd. Mickelson, the normal guys, will do ok. I think a lot will have to do with the Captain's picks for both teams, it will depend on how well and how steady they play. You get a couple of guys they pick that are hot, they will certainly be a factor. There will be some tough matches.

Tom Jenkins

I think the U.S. is going to win. I think Kenny Perry is going to spark the team to victory because it's in his home state and it's all he's been wanting to do this year. He's going to get them going.

Jay Haas

I think it's going to be a tough task for the U.S. team. I do think we maybe have flipped in the sense in that, on paper, the European team is much deeper and stronger than the U.S. team. There are some young guys on the U.S. team. I don't think that's a bad thing by any means but it says on paper they should beat us again and they've done it how many times in the last nine. But I think maybe we have that on our side. We used to have it and they said "well, we'll show them" but, with Padraig winning two majors, maybe the U.S. team wants to show that they can play a little bit, too. I like that there are some young guys, I like that energy and maybe that nervousness. It's good nerves.

D.A. Weibring

I'm a full-blooded American so it will be USA all the way.

John Harris

I think the Americans are going to win and they are going to win by whatever they win the singles by on Sunday.

Walter Hall

The U.S. of course. How could I pick anything other than the U.S.? They might win this year because they are the underdogs.