Add some experience and mental toughness to the squad by throwing in a top Champions Tour player or two. Give me a Jay Haas over several of the younger tour players on the "bubble".
Sequester the team for one full week prior to the match. You either agree to get together and practice, eat and commune with your teammates for a week or you don't play.
I am more worried for Europe (my team) now that Tiger is NOT playing for USA.
His absence will free up the other members of the US team, they will relax and play better.
I really hope that Tiger does recover for his sake...and Euro team!!
The best Euro teams were made up of great players who respected each other...and lesser players who were inspired by the generous spirit of the best...Seve!
If US can get that mix of team together...whichever tour they choose from...then you can make most of the home advantage.
But beware...the more the Brit Pack (Casey, Donald, Poulter) do not win Majors...the more the Ryder Cup matters to them and they have eachother to prove that they can handle the pressure....beware the wounded egos!
Good luck to Tiger, but a 4th surgery marks the beginning of the end of his supremacy. Never believe any surgeon who says it will be "as good as new"...especially when 3 of his colleagues have already been into that knee before you....it will mark a slide...gradual...but a slide...
UNLESS - he learns to play left handed....and I do not put that beyond Tiger's will or skill!
Well I like the Europeans winning every time, but then I am European.
The best solution to me is to pick form. Dont go by world rankings perse rather go by recent form perhaps taking points only from the 6 months prior to the Ryder Cup ie Feb through August with the PGA Championship being the final "points" event.
Then you get consistent performers in your team, plus those who really want to play in the Ryder Cup will be evident by how many events they play in that 6 month period.
__________________
Golf is a bitch, but we love her.
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.
This opinion comes from first hand observation, at the K Club. Furyk and DiMarco carried thier playning partners around for two days. Tiger looked like he'ld would rather have been somewhere else. Phil looked like a man trying not to lose rather than a trying to win. His play was very indecisive.
Perhaps Azininger will have an advantage in addition to home field. He will not be faced with the decision to bench the best player in the world (galaxy), for lackluster play in foursomes and fourball matches. Other captians have failed to exercise or even consider this option.
Hopefully this years Ryder Cup will end the "Curse of the $". The U.S. Team has faired woefully since asking to be compensated for thier play in the Ryder Cup. I belive Mark O'Meara was very outspoken in his opinion that the players be compensated. The Euro's have sought no such monetary compensation. Representing thier respective countries, and recently thrashing highly overrated US teams, seems to be more than adequate reward for thier participation.
As a PGA of America member, I sincerely hope that the organization remembers Mr. O'Meara's leadership role in asking that players be compensated. If the PGA ever makes him a Capitain it would be a great mistake.
Almost as great an injustice as overlooking Larry Nelson as a Team Capitain. His quiet confidence and proven leadership as a player, and in service to his country, are qualities sorely missing from the US Team. See Yoda's post #20 in this thread for more details about a remarkable man. Well worth the read IMHO.
What if the American players were paid according to their performance and not just for showing up...I wonder if that would make a difference. I think its fair for some compensation...they are professionals making a living...without the players there is no event. Where does all the money go from TV coverage etc for the Ryder Cup? Some should go back to the players on both sides. Do baseball players get paid for their All-Star event or football player in the Pro Bowl event?...I think they do
Linear Mode
