Thought for the Day:
Never miss a good chance to shut up
Almost there
Now that Jose Maria Olazabal has named Ian Poulter and Nicolas Colsaerts as his wild card picks for the Ryder Cup, we’re just waiting to hear who Davis Love picks tomorrow (Tuesday) morning to complete the line-ups. His job is considerably more difficult – the greater number of choices you have, the greater number of factors that have to be taken into consideration. By contrast, Jose Maria’s announcement had all the unexpected drama of hearing a British weather forecast in 2012 that was predicting rain. Poulter was always going to be picked, even though his arrogance extended to not bothering to contest the last counting event, the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles, despite being on the fringes of automatic selection. Colsaerts, in contrast, travelled to Scotland and although it turned out to be a tournament too far – he looked jaded and struggled to find form – his efforts were rightly rewarded. Padraig Harrington was never in the frame, although Olazabal could have been a bit more discreet and not made the Irishman’s probable omission quite so obvious, several weeks before the deadline.
A great deal has been made of the fact that Colsaerts is the only rookie in the European team, which is being talked up as a major plus, especially as the eight Americans already assured of a place have among their number three rookies (Webb Simpson, Jason Duffner and Keegan Bradley). And it is highly likely that Davis Love will pick one or two more. But the focus of attention on the supposedly potential weak links represented by first-timers (and captain’s picks) doesn’t really add up. Europe won in Celtic Manor with six rookies, and America lifted the cup two years before that, also with half-a dozen newbies, so recent history certainly doesn’t support the view that debutants are an anaemic link in the chain.
Nevertheless, the likely candidates in Love’s sights include at least a couple with no previous experience in the shape of Nick Watney and Brandt Snedeker. Also in the frame is Dustin Johnson, who played at Celtic Manor but only managed one point from a possible four. Steve Stricker is, as the Americans themselves would say, a lock. Jim Furyk would add vast experience but since failing to land the US Open in June his form has been pretty woeful. Also showing nothing like their best in the second half of the season are Hunter Mahan and Rickie Fowler. But while Mahan will remember Celtic Manor for his agonising decisive singles loss to Graeme McDowell, Fowler, will have happier memories. He only picked up half a point in Wales from a possible three but did it in dramatic style, winning the last three holes in his singles against Edoardo Molinari to snatch a half. In all probability Love will go for a blend of rawness and maturity, and my money’s on Stricker, Furyk, Watney and Fowler.
The reality is, however, that of far greater import than the number of rookies versus veterans is the venue, as home advantage is still the most important factor. We have perhaps become carried away by the fabulous success of Europe since that breakthrough win at The Belfry in 1985 but that seemingly endless catalogue of triumph contains the stark truth that, in the 27 years since Sam Torrance holed the winning putt, we have only won three times in America. In 1987 at Muirfield Village we fielded possibly our best ever team and the near unbeatable partnership of Olazabal and Ballesteros first came into being, to see us win on American soil for the first time ever. In 1995 we squeaked home at Oak Hill by a point and in 2004 we murdered ‘em 18.5 – 9.5 but that was largely thanks to team USA having the most disastrous captain in the history of the event. Hal Sutton, you will remember, paired Mickelson and Woods on the first morning and, when they got thrashed, did it again in the afternoon. Davis Love will not be so misguided.
Ageing like a fine wine
A few weeks ago there was concern about the form of Martin Kaymer and Paul Lawrie, who both qualified for the European team on early season form but then suffered a worrying slump. Kaymer says he has been working hard on his game and will be ready come September 28 and we will have to take his word for it. Far more reassuring has been the return to his best of Paul Lawrie. When he won the Johnnie Walker two weeks ago he looked every inch the superb talent he is, in total command of both himself and his golf ball. His final round in particular was a masterclass in how golf should be played when the heat is on and he only missed one shot all day. His secret, he says, is to forget all the technical stuff and just concentrate on getting his rhythm and tempo as slow and smooth as possible, which isn’t bad advice for the rest of us.
Quote of the Week
‘Never had a lesson in my life’ is a phrase uttered with smug satisfaction by a good many people. The correct reply is, of course: ‘That’s why you are no better than you are.’
Henry Longhurst