Went to the K club on the Wednesday. After the weather susided the players emerged to rapturous applause (both teams). The Europeans all took their time wading through the crowds smiling signing autographs. They then split up into groups and played golf stopping after each green to smile, chat and have a laugh with the crowds. They played the holes properly hitting a few balls here an there and trying putts from different spots. They took their time going back to the clubhouse. The US team all gathered with glum faces and played as one big mob. Hitting shots into the greens as if they were on the range. They didnt bother putting at all on any of the holes I saw (they didnt want to practise putting on wet greens or they didnt want any contact with the admiring crowds?). They zipped around and then disappeared back into the clubhouse never to be seen again.
At the end of the day it was putting that let them down.
Im not sure what the problem is. It certainly isnt golfing ability.
Could be:
The US guys dont like to travel overseas?
The courses on the PGA Tour are too uniform especially the greens?
There is no socialising between players on the US Tour?
There is too much pressure on them to perform instead of seeing it as an exhibition where they give something back to the fans and actually have a laugh? Its an end of season party with a bit of a match (which is what they are meant to love).
Mr Verplank certainly looked like he had a few things to say but managed to bite his tongue in the interview I saw.
How about getting a non US captain next time? It works in football (soccer).
The main thing is the matches were played in good spirit and we didn't have any Kiawah or Brookline nonsense.
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