I’ve just stepped off the course in Germany having been involved with a promotional event sponsored by Boss and I’m desperate to get back to the Club House to watch some of the first day’s play at the Ryder Cup. I’ve already planned to take Sunday off to watch every hole – it’s the law for Golf fans that you watch Ryder Cup Sunday…from the moment it starts to the moment it finishes; you just can’t take your eyes off it.
The Ryder Cup has got such a great history and the excitement just builds for fans when they can get involved supporting a team event. It’s not like the World Cup where you’ve only got one pair per nation…supporter-wise this brings together entire continents! The rivalry that has developed between Europe and America really gets the passions flowing and the pomp of the opening ceremony and the beautiful venues just add to the spectacle. I’ve never played at Valhalla but I’ve seen it on the TV and the course looks very dramatic and perfect for the spectators.
Don’t get me wrong I love watching the Major Championships but the Ryder Cup really is something else. It would be awesome to take part in it – let’s hope the dream becomes a reality before too long.
Faldo’s Selection Policy
It was always going to be tough for Nick Faldo to make his Wildcard selections and I’m not surprised that it’s caused divisions. Unfortunately, Faldo decided to make his decision based on the statistics of player’s records in the USA and I think for many guys who make their living on the European Tour it was a disappointing way to choose. If you’re picking a team of players to represent Europe you can’t just ignore those players who are on the European Tour; it felt like he was sticking his two fingers up at us to a certain extent. It might not have been intentional, but from a personal point of view I wasn’t that impressed.
I’d like to have seen Faldo being a bit more active about watching the guys who weren’t focused on playing their golf stateside. He should have been watching the way Darren Clarke was striking the ball recently and the form of other players such as Nick Dougherty and Martin Kaymer who’ve been unbelievable in recent weeks. I really feel that Casey and Poulter should have played in Europe and taken the chance to qualify properly. For Poulter to not play at Gleneagles last week was a bit strange in my opinion, he must have had the nod from Faldo. If I was on the verge and needed a result to get into the Ryder Cup team I’d probably gone wherever I had to go – even Kazakhstan!
Childhood Hero
Nick Faldo was my hero growing up; when I first started playing golf in 1988 he was the man to beat. He was an awesome player, second to none. I got to sit next to him at a lunch recently and I wasn’t overly impressed by him in person. It’s always a shame when your heroes don’t quite live up to expectations! He’s definitely an acquired taste.
The competition between Faldo and Azinger is probably borne out of their determination to win. They’ve known each other for years and been rivals in so many competitions that you’re always going to get the odd snide comment. The build-up has been a bit niggly, I just hope it doesn’t overshadow the competition.
Don’t Rule Out the USA
Azinger has loads of passion and you could see that by the way he played the Ryder Cup in the past. If he brings that and his steely willpower to the US team then I think they could be quite dangerous. It’s what they needed; the last couple of captains didn’t seem to have that fire in their belly, that so often gets players motivated. I think Hal Sutton in 2004 was one of the worst captains ever; he just seemed to make mistake after mistake!
Even though Tiger Woods isn’t playing the USA will still feel they can get a result. I sometimes think that the whole Tiger Woods circus can be intimidating for younger players. The guy is a brilliant player, maybe even the best, but his superstar status maybe hinders his relationship with other Ryder Cup players. This year the guys in the US team will know that they could be the hero of a nation if they perform at their best.
GWAGs Deserve their Chance
I think it’s great that the wives and partners get a chance to be involved with the Ryder Cup. You have to remember that they are long-suffering girls, they aren’t just around for that week…they support you wherever you are in the world. I know my girlfriend has supported me for hours on end in some pretty horrendous places (as well as the nice ones!) and she’s always there for me when I’m playing well or not. It’s only right that they get spoilt once in a while; I hope the sun shines for them and their nice new outfits. They seem to be classy girls; I doubt you’ll see them downing alco-pops in some dodgy karaoke bar like the footballer’s wives! Good luck to them.
Hectic Times Ahead
It’s full on now with regards my golfing schedule. I’m off to the Belfry on Monday for the British Masters and then the Dunhill Links Championship followed by potentially six more tournaments in a row! If I play really well I could even make the Volvo Masters at Valderrama for the top sixty players in the World.
Let’s hope in two years time I’ll be playing in the Ryder Cup. When I see a friend of mine like Ollie Wilson, who I’ve known and played with on the Tour for ages, representing Europe it really spurs you on. If I pull my socks up and press on I think I could be knocking on the door next time.
One last thing…
My prediction - Europe will definitely win the Ryder Cup.
Until next time…