Does anyone remember the story from '97 when Seve set up Valdarama a certain way, to take away the US length advantage off the tees? I remember one hole that he wanted played a certain way, and during the practice rounds, he made several European players, including Faldo, play the hole over and over until they got it right.
Imagine a US captain telling Tiger he had to go back and play the hole over again? Just wouldn't happen.
If the European team were asked by their captain to practise together the week prior to the Ryder Cup, they would enjoy themselves ..and wouldn`t have to be asked twice.
If the American team were asked by their captain to practise together the week prior to the Ryder Cup, they probably would meet up but I don`t think they would really enjoy themselves ...Jack Nicklaus as captain would get the job done he`s a toughie!
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To quote a top rated American basketball player with a penchant for regularly being late to, or skipping practice......."Practice? Why are we talking about practice?"
Practice just wouldn't fit into their very busy schedules.
Be very careful of picking your team this far in advance based on performance. That's one of the reasons the US team has played so poorly. More than one team member had a hot streak early in the qualifying process and it was enough to put them on the team. The trouble is that when it came time to play these "early qualifiers" were no where near the form that earned them their spot.
This is not an excuse for the US losing. We got our tails kicked. However, I sure would like to see the players who performed the best in the year the Ryder Cup is held take precedence over those that were hot 2 years prior. I believe the US is either looking into changing or have actually changed the qualifying guidelines to take more recent form into consideration. That still might not be enough!
Even though Furyk is great in singles competition, he is awful in team competition. I hope if he makes it, he won't play until singles. Same with Justin Leonard.
If the European team were asked by their captain to practise together the week prior to the Ryder Cup, they would enjoy themselves ..and wouldn`t have to be asked twice.
If the American team were asked by their captain to practise together the week prior to the Ryder Cup, they probably would meet up but I don`t think they would really enjoy themselves ...Jack Nicklaus as captain would get the job done he`s a toughie!
This statement was brought to you by The C-B-C Sweeping Generalisations Company........................................... ...................p.l.c.
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I believe you're right C-B-C. I think that for the US team to be able to truly be coerced into dropping their egos and performing as a team, this business of picking all captains in their 40s who have had OK careers and happened to win a major or two must stop, at least for the US side. At least for a short time, the PGA of America needs to do as you suggested and get a captain to take part who would command the respect of the players....an Arnie or a Jack. Even Tiger would listen when those two spoke up and said how things were gonna be...and I'd guarantee the guys would be better off for it. Just look at the last Presidents' Cup as an example. The teams played their heads off for Jack and Gary, while in this past edition of the Ryder Cup, it seemed as though the Euros were completely in support of Langer, but I didn't get that sense from the Americans about Hal. Sadly, I don't think this next Ryder Cup will bring about any changes, what with the moaning and groaning that's gone on already about Lehman's selection.
If Jack had been the captain I just couldn`t imagine Chris Riley saying to Jack "...y`know Jack I`m really pleased I won this morning with Tiger, but if you don`t mind I`m feeling a little tired and I could do with having the afternoon off...is that okay with you Jack?"
I'd bet not!! Arnie never lost as a Ryder Cup captain (although to be honest, without the rest of Europe, the competition wasn't exactly the strongest). If he told those guys that in the weeks leading up to the event, they'd be expected to be playing practice rounds together, you can bet those guys would be doing it. :nodsmiley Makes me wish Payne Stewart were still around, as he'd likely have been captain this next time around.
Seems crazy to suggest that Tiger or Phil should not play, almost as crazy as putting them together. They both need to find partners they gel with,preferably rookies ,and play all four matches before the singles.
I would think that Tiger and CH3 , and Phil with Zac Johnson would be a formidable match up. If the captian told Phil and Tiger to 'find' a choice of partners over the next twelve months , they could turn up ready.
The Ryder Cup was won by LAnger off the course as much as on it.
Really, I don't think it is crazy. It may hurt TV ratings, but I believe we would be even in talent and egos with the Europeans. Tiger doesn't think the Ryder Cuip is that important, so why should he plat? Ditto with Phil. Also, I think the team is too dependent on Tiger and Phil winning. The remaining players need to learn not to count on them. Besides, Europe doesn't have any superstars and they still win. How can we expalin that?
The only reason was won in 1999 was because not because Crenshaw was such a great captian, but because Mark james was such a sorry captin. Not playing 3 Ryder cup rookies in singles and then putting them in the 3-4-5 spots when it was obvious we would front-load was plain stupid.
I still don't think we fixed all the problems in slecting the team. The point value for the B.C. Open is still the same as for the Player's Championship. That should have been addresed when Fred Funk played the British Open in lieu of the B.C. Open. It is ironic he won the Player's Championship.
June 1st, 2005, 01:56 PM
..and wouldn`t have to be asked twice.
...Jack Nicklaus as captain would get the job done 
he`s a toughie! 
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