Sept. 29, 2016
Snedeker’s Ryder Cup press conference
Former Vanderbilt standout Brandt Snedeker is among 12 elite American golfers competing against Europe’s finest in the highly anticipated Ryder Cup, which begins Friday at famed Hazeltine National Golf Club near Minneapolis.
This marks Snedeker’s third international competition representing the United States as a professional. Previously, he was a member of American teams at the 2013 Presidents Cup and 2012 Ryder Cup.
The biennial Ryder Cup starts Friday with eight alternative shot and best ball matches, each pitting twosomes from Team USA and Team Europe. After another day of pairing competitions Saturday, the Ryder Cup concludes with pressure-packed singles matches Sunday.
Pairings for the early Friday matches are expected to be announced Thursday by 6 p.m. CT.
Snedeker, a Nashville native who has captured eight PGA Tour events and the 2012 Fed Ex Cup during a 12-year career, has won three points in international competition – two in the 2013 Presidents Cup and another in the 2012 Ryder Cup. Snedeker looks forward to the competition, and an opportunity to bring the Ryder Cup back to America for the first time since 2008.
“It’s a great experience and unlike anything else we get to do,” Snedeker told reporters earlier this week. “It’s fun just being a part of – nerve-racking, exciting and fun all wrapped into one.
“We’ve got an unbelievable team room and list of vice-captains that (Team USA Captain) Davis (Love III) is leaning. When you have that many guys caring about one common goal and they are the best players of our generation, you’d better believe it’s going to motivate the rest of us,” Snedeker added.
Snedeker was among eight qualifiers for the current Team USA squad. He started the year with a January victory in the Farmers Insurance Open, and locked up his Ryder Cup spot with Top-6 finishes in two late-season events, the RBC Canadian Open and Wyndham Championship.
Snedeker is just the second golfer with Vanderbilt ties to participate in the Ryder Cup, joining former Vanderbilt head coach Mason Rudolph, who was a member of the 1971 American team that romped to a 18.5-13.5 victory in St. Louis.
Joining Snedeker on Team USA is Rickie Fowler, J.B Homes, Dustin Johnson, Zach Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Matt Kuchar, Phil Mickelson, Ryan Moore, Patrick Reed, Jordan Spieth and Jimmy Walker.
The Golf Channel will be provide nearly 11 hours of Ryder Cup coverage Friday, starting at 7:30 a.m. NBC will televise Saturday and Sunday matches.
