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.
Maybe the Euros are just better players, despite what the world rankings say.
Actually, I think all the Euros were ranked in the top 20 in the world.
If the US squad only knew of TGM...
Actually... I'm surprised you are the only one saying this. WWII decimated European golf, so the US pretty much dominated for roughly a generation. But I actually thought this years European team was much better balanced and on average more talented then our team. Enough so that it was clear, even to a somewhat biased observer like myself. What puzzles me is why are you and I the only ones who see it that way.
The other thing that puzzles me is why is Tiger less dominant in match play now? As an amateur he was pretty special, as a pro he seems to lack the energy he had when younger. The Euro's are also not particularly awed by him either.
Johnny Miller was pretty vocal with this as well. I don't often agree with Miller, but I think in this case he was right.
I just hope Miller doesn't make a recomendation that the U.S. team be allowed to bring in Canada and Mexico to make things more competitive . Then again, Mike Weir ....never mind.
These were two of the LBG poll choices. For what its worth, the 'Captain's picks' option garnered 18 percent of the vote. The change in the points system received no votes.
Also, Hal Sutton seems to be very upset with the whole thing-not just the Ryder cup but with the whole money issue-says U.S.players are just chasing the dollar and have no passion-or something like that.
Couldn't agree with Daz more about the practice days. The Euros looked like they were playing matches within their foursomes. At the conclusion of the hole, they would chip and putt from various locations. On to the next hole and the match resumed. The Eoros also seemed to have a sense of comraderie and enjoyed playing together. The US team did not bother to tee off, unless it was a par 3, and walked down to a spot in the fairway to hit approach shots.
I was at the K-Club for the whole week. Tiger seemed as if he didn't want to be there, and Mickelson looked like a man trying not to lose than a guy trying to win. Their play bore out these impressions. The rookies provided the only spark,for the team, with the play of JJ Henry and Zack Johnson.
The PGA should consider drawing 12 players out of a hat, excluding Woods and Mickelson from the pool. The U.S. might have a better chance of getting a team that is enthusiastic about playing and winning. Instead of posturing and whinning.
It would also be great to see Larry Nelson as captain. It is shameful that a 3 time major champion, which includes 2 PGA's, has been overlooked. With the recent peformance of U.S. teams, the U.S. captain seems to be responsible for little more than the wardrobe selection. And as there is a retro 70's trend in golf fashion, the PGA may reconsider Larry Nelson. He definelty has experience with that fashion genre.
Many thanks to the K-Club and their grounds staff. It is a great venue for such a premier event. The course was very playable under some wet conditions, and the ground staff was constantly putting wood chips out making the spectator walk ways passable. The British PGA made us very welcome and comfortable at their hospitality tent. The european fans cheered all good shots and players, of course their team with greater enthusiasm. I will never forget the genuinely warm and hearty hospitality of Ireland
It would also be great to see Larry Nelson as captain. It is shameful that a 3 time major champion, which includes 2 PGA's, has been overlooked. With the recent peformance of U.S. teams, the U.S. captain seems to be responsible for little more than the wardrobe selection. And as there is a retro 70's trend in golf fashion, the PGA may reconsider Larry Nelson. He definitely has experience with that fashion genre.
Thank you for your insightful post, Sligo33. For the U.S. team, perhaps the times will be "a'changin'." Then again, perhaps not.
Regarding one Larry G. Nelson, I could not agree more. Let's begin with the fact that he did not begin playing golf until he was 21 years old.
Now, getting a late start in golf doesn't necessarily qualify one for Captain of the Ryder Cup team. So, let's add a few more details...
Ten PGA TOUR victories;
Two PGA Championships (1981, 1987);
One U.S. Open (1983).
Threewinning Ryder Cup Teams (1979, 1981, 1987).
This last stat is especially significant because Larry has the best record in the history of the Ryder Cup...undefeated on his first two teams. Read that:
9-0.
You want golf record? You got golf record.
You want courage...personal courage under fire?
Larry Nelson at age 20 was the 'point man' on more combat missions through South Vietnamese jungles than you can count. Unlike many, he lived to tell about it.
But he won't.
He is also the straightest-arrow husband, father and friend you have ever met in your life.
Consider the above and I think you have way more than the stuff of a Ryder Cup Captain.
Why was he 'passed over?' Only the politicos of the PGA know.
Remember, the Ryder Cup is a PGA of America event, not a PGA TOUR event. And during Larry's 'time,' the nod went first to Lanny Wadkins -- who himself said 'they' saw Larry's superior play and gave the captaincy to him instead -- and then to Tom Kite. Then to Ben Crenshaw and Curtis Strange and Hal Sutton. Finally, despite the intense lobbying for Larry by the committee of past Captains, to Tom Lehman. With all due respect to Tom -- a nice guy who finished first -- a guy just as nice with a far better record finished second. And now...Paul Azinger.
Meanwhile, since joining the Champions Tour, Larry has continued his outstanding career. He's racked up 19 Champions Tour victories and almost $14,000,000 in Official Money. He was the Tour's 2000 Leading Money Winner and Player of the Year. Check this out: http://www.pgatour.com/players/00/18...dia-guide.html
I am proud to call Larry Nelson my friend. We have known each other since we mustered out of the service about the same time in the early '70s. With two very different career paths, we both joined Atlanta Country Club some thirty years ago. Last night, ACC members celebrated his outstanding accomplishments and induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame.
The first image below is of Larry's World Golf Hall of Fame Award, and also, the large framed photo of his 1987 PGA win that today hangs in the Atlanta CC's lobby entrance. Other photographs that hang in that gallery include Davis Love, III, 1997 PGA Champion, whose father, Davis Love, Jr., was our first Head Professional. Also, Bob Tway, Jr. 1986 PGA Champion, son of member Bob Tway, Sr. Finally, Joe Inman, Jr., a PGA TOUR winner and Champions Tour 2000 Rookie of the Year.
The second is of Larry and me. I'm proud of that moment and all it captured. With this inspiration, I'll soon post in the 'Young Yoda' thread a snapshot of a much younger duo taken on the practice tee of Atlanta Country Club, a week after Larry won the U.S. Open at Oakmont. That was a fond memory, too.
The third photo is with Larry's wife Gayle, and Bert Seagraves and his wife, Susan. Bert, a two-time Georgia PGA Professional of the Year, was Head Professional at Pinetree C.C. when Larry went to work in his only 'club pro' job.
The final photo is with John Gerring, PGA Master Professional, 1981 National PGA Professional of the Year, and for 15 years the Head Professional of Atlanta CC. He is now Head Professional of Peachtree Golf Club, Bobby Jones's 'Atlanta' course.
It was indeed a night of memories. First, we viewed the film of Larry's accomplishments shown at his induction last year into the World Golf Hall of Fame. Then, we listened to several reminiscences of Larry's close professional friends. Finally, we were privileged to hear from The Man himself.
After the close of ceremonies, I asked Larry to sign my copy of the photo you see in the Gerring photograph (a tee shot off the 18th at The Masters). He thought for a moment and then wrote this:
"Lynn,
Thanks for your help.
All the best.
Larry Nelson."
Wow.
Over the years, I have watched Larry hit thousands of balls both on the practice tee and in tournament play. But, in no way could I be considered his teacher or coach.
Nevertheless, inexplicably, the words are there, and they are his.
. Then again, Mike Weir 
....never mind.
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