"I'm a firm believer that in the theory that people only do their best at things they truly enjoy. It is difficult to excel at something you don't enjoy."
Jack Nicklaus
Showing posts with label Ryder Cup. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ryder Cup. Show all posts
Monday, 18 June 2018
Friday, 18 March 2016
Health Forces Olazabal Out of Masters
Jose Maria Olazabal will not play in the Masters for health reasons that have kept him from competing for an entire year.
The two time Masters champion did not specify his health problems on Friday, only that tests show "some improvement."
"I am sorry to announce that I'm unable to attend this year as I am not feeling well," Olazabal said in a statement. "The Masters is very special to me, and walking up Magnolia Lane gives me a peace of mind like nowhere else."
The 50-year-old Spaniard won the Masters in 1994 and 1999. His second Green Jacket, which he won over Greg Norman, followed a debilitating ailment in his foot that he feared would end his career. Olazabal is in the World Golf Hall of Fame, and he was the winning Ryder Cup captain for Europe four years ago.
But he has not played a tournament since he shot 71 in the second round at the Masters a year ago and missed the cut.
"It's been very tough being at home these last few months doing nothing," Olazabal said.
"Now I'm feeling better. I hit a bucket of balls every morning and spend 45 minutes on the putting green. I practice for about three hours. I don't set myself goals or dates. Time will tell."
Olazabal said he has regular tests that show improvement, "but the main thing is to get rid of pain."
Wednesday, 13 January 2016
Europe's Lowry EURASIA Ready
 |
| Getty Images |
Shane Lowry is enjoying his first taste of the atmosphere of professional team golf at the EurAsia Cup presented by DRB-HICOM but insists Europe will be all business when they tee off against Asia on Friday.
Captain Darren Clarke has brought a 12-strong team to Glenmarie Golf and Country Club as Europe look to win the trophy for the first time following a dramatic 10-10 draw in the inaugural event in 2014.
Lowry is part of that team after a brilliant 2015 season which saw him win the World Golf Championships – Bridgestone Invitational and finish fifth in The Race to Dubai.
With the Olympics and The Ryder Cup to play for this year, 2016 could prove to be the biggest yet of Lowry’s career and, while admitting the feeling off the course is very relaxed among Team Europe, he is determined to get his campaign off to a winning start and bring the trophy home.
“Darren is getting that across a lot,” he said. “We need to take this very seriously as a team. At the end of the day, we don’t want to be going home Sunday evening with our tail between our legs and we want to go out there and play as best we can.
“Obviously we need to enjoy ourselves as well, on our downtime and when we are chilling out in the team room, have a laugh or whatever. But when we get on the golf course, be very serious about it and we are definitely looking for a win on Sunday.
“We are all very competitive people. Professional golfers are very competitive people and no matter what we do, if you’re playing a game at home with your mates or if you’re out here playing EurAsia Cup, it’s all the same for me. I’m still trying to play as best I can.
“We’ll be really looking to play well this week and hopefully get off to a nice start on Friday and see what happens come Sunday.
“The environment is a little bit different and it’s nice. Obviously as professional golfers, we play a lot of individual (events), it can become a very selfish game. So to be in a team event and be rooting for the lads, it’s going to be nice this week.”
Matthew Fitzpatrick is another European making a professional team debut off the back of a breakout season, although he does have Walker Cup experience from 2013.
Great Britain and Ireland were beaten 17-9 by the United States on that occasion but Fitzpatrick picked up two points in the Foursomes, as well as one in the Singles, from his four matches and the British Masters supported by Sky Sports champion is hoping to use that experience.
“I’m playing foursomes and fourballs, last time I did was Walker Cup two years ago,” he said. “So I played it then.
“For me, I always enjoy it and it seems like all the lads are enjoying it so far. That’s the big thing, you’ve got to go out there and play as well as you can but at the same time enjoy it.
“I think the big thing is probably the banter within the team. I think everyone on the outside probably thinks we’re all so serious and really grim, but it feels like it’s just one big laugh.
“Me personally, I haven’t stopped laughing all day, playing with (Danny) Willett, Lee (Westwood) and (Ian) Poulter. I think for me, it’s obviously something I really enjoy and doesn’t feel like there’s so much pressure so far. It’s good to just keep enjoying it.”
While Fitzpatrick and Lowry may be rookies in the team room, Lee Westwood is a veteran of these types of situations, having played on nine Ryder Cup teams with seven wins.
The 42 year old was a captain’s pick for this week, along with Ian Poulter who has five Ryder Cups under his belt, and while he admits that brings some extra pressure, he does not think the younger players around the team will have to look to him for guidance.
“I think Darren probably looked at his team and sees it’s a young team,” he said. “Not too much team golf experience in it and wanted some experience in there. Therefore, he’s picked myself and Ian.
“Obviously when you’re a captain’s pick, you feel a little bit more pressure to perform and validate that pick. But I’ve been a pick for The Ryder Cup a couple of times, and this is the first time I’ve played the EurAsia Cup obviously and got picked this week.
“I think all the lads that are playing this week are great players in their own right and they really don’t need much. They have played on a big stage before, maybe not so much team golf but I’m sure they have played a bit of team golf coming through the amateur ranks, things like that.
“But it’s the same principle as anything else: You try to hit it down the middle, hit it close and then make the putt. That takes care of most forms of golf.
“Obviously this week and later on in the year, you’re representing Europe, but you try to not let that get in the way and not let that kind of thinking get in the way and just do your own thing, play your own game, and the game that got you into the team.
“Hopefully that’s good enough to win your points.”
Sunday, 10 January 2016
Christy O'Connor Jnr 1946 - 2016
One of the biggest stars of Irish golf, Christy O'Connor Jnr, has died.
The 67-year-old from Galway was best remembered for helping Europe retain the Ryder Cup at The Belfry in 1989 when he fired a stunning shot with his two iron to within feet of the hole.
O'Connor's victory over American Fred Couples helped ensure the contest finished 14-14 with holders Europe therefore retaining the trophy.
The Golf Union of Ireland paid tribute by posting a clip of the memorable shot online and a note describing him as "a gentleman, an iconic figure of Irish golf and a true ambassador".
"He was a pioneer for professional Irish golfers and inspired a generation of players," the organisation said.
O'Connor Jnr's career highlights included two Ryder Cup appearances, 17 professional tournament wins, four wins on the European Tour and two British Open Senior titles.
It is understood he was on holiday in Tenerife when he died.
In his latter years O'Connor Jnr - the nephew of another hero of Irish golf, Christy O'Connor Snr - was heavily involved in designing golf courses.
Tributes began to flood in following news of his death.
O'Connor Jnr was a supporter of Special Olympics and the Irish branch of the organisation described him as one of Ireland's greatest ever talents and a dedicated patron.
The Professional Golfers' Association said: "Sad news that Ryder Cup hero Christy O'Connor Jnr has passed away."
Local politician in Galway, Brian Walsh, said: "A great talent who brought much enjoyment to many and worked quietly to benefit Galway causes."
Michael Ring, Ireland's junior minister for sport, described O'Connor as one of the country's finest golfers and sportsmen.
He also achieved a number of victories on the senior circuit
"He contributed so much to sport in Ireland and was a role model for many Irish golfers," he said.
"Christy was a very talented golfer and everyone involved in Irish sport will be saddened at the news of his passing today."
"I knew Christy personally and he was a model sportsman and a thorough gentleman. He will be greatly missed".
Former Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley wrote on Twitter: "We've lost a true Irishman, character and golfer - Christy O Connor jnr RIP."
Shane Lowry added: "Very sad news today about Christy O'Connor Jnr. An absolute legend of Irish golf. Thoughts and prayers go out to his family and loved ones."
Speaking in 2010 about his famous victory over Couples, O'Connor Jnr revealed European captain Tony Jacklin had been one of the few people to have faith in one of his three wild card selections.
"It was the greatest and most emotional moment of my professional life," O'Connor Jnr recalled. "I'd felt terrible at breakfast that morning because of an article writing me off in one of the Sunday newspapers.
"I felt the pressure it put on me was too much. Tony Jacklin, the captain, was brilliant on the final hole. He said on the 18th tee that if I put the pressure on, Fred wouldn't be able to take it.
"Even though I was miles behind him after the tee shots, Jacko didn't lose faith. 'Put it on the green, I've a feeling that something will happen,' he said.
"Well everyone knows that I played the shot of my life, a two iron from 235 yards that finished four foot from the hole. I guess you could say I did put it on the green and something did happen. I remember looking up to the sky with my arms outstretched and tears ran down my face.
"It was unforgettable."
#RIP
Thursday, 29 October 2015
2019 Solheim at Gleneages
Gleneagles will host the Solheim Cup in 2019. The PGA Centenary Course hosted the Ryder Cup in 2014 and now the women’s teams will face the same test.
Scotland has played host to the Solheim Cup twice before at Dalmahoy Country Club in 1992 and Loch Lomond in 2000. The 2017 event will take place at Des Moines in Iowa.
Europe surrendered the Solheim Cup last month as the USA completed a remarkable comeback to win 14½-13½ in controversial circumstances in Germany.
Gleneagles beat Bro Hof Slott in Sweden to earn the right to host the event and the Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon is delighted to see the event coming to Scotland.
She said: “This is tremendous news, not only for golf tourism and events in Scotland but for Scotland as a whole. As a nation we take a huge amount of pride in welcoming major events to our country and in women’s golf they don’t come any bigger than the Solheim Cup.
“The outstanding success of 2014 still looms large in the memory and I am delighted that Gleneagles and Scotland will once again play host to a major international team golf event.
“It will help cement Scotland’s reputation as the home of golf and the perfect stage for major golf events and help inspire a new generation of children to take up the game invented in their home country.”
Monday, 17 August 2015
View from the Top - Seve Ballesteros
“I look into their eyes, shake their hand, pat their back, and wish them luck, but I am thinking,
'I am going to bury you.”
Severiano Ballesteros
Tuesday, 16 December 2014
Rory McIlroy Wants Faster Golf
The world number one golfer, Rory McIlroy, has called for a faster version of golf in a bid to attract young players to the sport.
Sport England figures show that the number of 16-25-year-olds playing the game regularly almost halved between 2009-10 and 2012-13.
"Everything's so instant now and everyone doesn't have as much time as they used to," world number one McIlroy told BBC Radio 4.
"So you maybe try some way of speeding the game up."
Northern Ireland's McIlroy, who won the Open and the US PGA in 2014, added: "The viewership in golf is up but the participation is down.
"People enjoy watching the game but gone are the days that you could spend five or six hours on a golf course."
Golf's authorities have been reluctant to bring in changes in the past, with The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews only agreeing to admit women to its membership in September.
But McIlroy believes the sport's rulemakers are ready for new initiatives.
"I don't think they'd be against it, especially if they wanted to get participation levels up," said McIlroy, who finished second to Lewis Hamilton in the voting for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award.
"I don't think they need to alter tournament-play formats, I think that works very well. It's the grass roots... definitely not at our level."
McIlroy, who famously appeared on television to chip golf balls into a washing machine at the age of nine, wants young people to follow his example and take up the sport early in life.
"I feel as though I've inspired a lot of kids back home in Northern Ireland to pick up the game and play," he said.
"Hopefully I can continue to do that beyond Northern Ireland because it's a great game. It's given me a lot and I've loved every minute of it and I know if more people pick up the game they'll love it, too."
People playing golf once a week, every week, in England | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | 14-25 year olds | 16-25 year olds | All ages (16+) |
2009-10
|
95,700
|
860,900
| |
2010-11
|
73,100
|
833,200
| |
2011-12
|
55,900
|
850,500
| |
2012-13
|
61,400
|
52,400
|
751,900
|
Friday, 14 November 2014
Javier Ballesteros Turns Professional
Javier Ballesteros, the son of five-time major champion Seve, has turned professional.
Spaniard Seve died of brain cancer in 2011 at the age of 54, and Javier said: "Today my dad comes to my mind.
"He taught me everything or almost everything I know about golf, and I would have loved him to see me turning pro. I am sure he would be very proud."
Javier, 23, intends to begin his career by enrolling at the Alps Tour qualifying school.
He competed at the British Amateur Championship this year but failed to qualify for the matchplay stage after a poor opening round.
Javier added: "This is something I have always wanted. Whether I will succeed or not, time will tell."
Seve is remembered as one of golf's most flamboyant and charismatic players.
He won 87 titles in his career, including the Open in 1979, 1984 and 1988 and the Masters in 1980 and 1983, and played in eight Ryder Cups.
Monday, 29 September 2014
Winning is Elementary for Watson
 |
| Getty Images |
“Sometimes thinking too much can destroy your momentum."
Tom Watson
Sir Alex Ferguson was a moderately talented footballer at best. But as manager went on to prove at Manchester United a legendary status in the game that will rarely be equalled. Akin to what Bill Shankly did for Liverpool and in the modern era Jose Mourinho has achieved at Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan and Real Madrid. Somehow all able to connect and see their sport from the less lofty heights that more gifted footballers have succeeded in doing. No better example than the recently departed Alfredo di Stefano, who despite a stellar playing career, never matching those achievements as a manager. Indeed only a few have done so with Franz Beckenbauer unique in that regard.
In fairness, the list is longer of those who have been unable to transfer their ability to management than those how have succeeded. With many doing so and proving more modest readers of men than when excelling on the playing pitch alongside them. Sir Bobby Charlton a case in point, as is former England manager Glen Hoddle. Or indeed Dutch legends, Marco van Basten and Ruud Gullit. With a number of renowned managers the bearers of limited playing CV's. Juergen Klopp at Borussia Dortmund one of the outstanding managers in Europe, who boast a playing CV at FC Mainz. Or Rafa Benitez of Inter Milan who played for Real Madrid second side, Castilla.
For some it is the inability to understand players less skilled than they were, and unable to pass or control the ball as they could during their playing days. A frustration and impatience that can only lead to problems.
It is that sense that arises from US Ryder Cup Captain this week, where Tom Watson seemed incapable of fully comprehending his player’s inability to win every point, in every session. Somehow all falling short of his expectations and standards. Which in the day-to-day world are too high for mere mortals. Particularly on the Saturday afternoon foursomes. It was a frustration that was not imagined and very visible for all to see and at times hear. Affecting his way of communication also outside the group to the media, surprising some, in a country where he is held in the highest possible sporting esteem
However it may have proved instrumental in the US downfall at the 40th Ryder Cup and has already been articulated by Phil Mickelson in his post-match press conference. In what can only described as having a very ungentlemanly sense of timing given the team have yet to fly back home and the closing ceremony was barely complete.
But in the age of multimillionaire golfers Mickelson will probably fly back in his own private jet with his family, as Captain Watson returns commercial with some of the US team. Leaving the secrets and memories of the US team room to be cleaned up by the PGA. Who must now reflect on three successive defeats as they select their captain for 2016.
In doing so they should also evaluate what the Ryder Cup really means to the US players – if anything - given that Tiger Woods did the event no favours when he was vocal about how little it meant to him some years ago. His priority always being the chase for Majors and equalling Nicklaus record haul of 18 majors. And even when he did play for his country performances were at best non-descript and wouldn’t have met Samuel Ryder’s approval for sure.
The truth may be that for Woods the team game is not an ethos he understands, appreciates or even likes. Having been raised to win in the most singular fashion by his Father. Although it is in stark contrast with biennial Presidents Cup in which he appears without a problem for the USA and seemingly enjoys it. Perhaps because the US remain unbeaten since the meeting at Royal Melbourne in 1998. A stark contrast to their current Ryder Cup record.
And as the formats are the same and played on home soil every two years there is no real explanation why the results should be so different or explain why USA teams fare so badly in the Ryder Cup.
Could it be summed up by the fact that the US team have used Fred Couples as Presidents Cup captain for the last three events, and so enjoy more continuity. Something the US Ryder Cup teams have not as the last few captains have lasted only one stint. Probably because it enjoys little glory or carry any lucrative earning potential. However unlike Europe, the US players need continuity if they are to see ensure the sum of all the parts is better as a team for 2016. A formula that the European Tour have long since understood. Particularly in the past when very few of their players held PGA Tour cards, or were in the top ten World Golf Rankings.
Before Watson it was Davis Love III who was on the wrong side of the Medinah miracle, and he had taken took over from Corey “War on the Shore” Pavin. Who despite a stunning plaiting record, was also defeated at Celtic Manor, with Paul Azinger the last successful USA captain. Indeed it was his team that vanquished Europe at Valhallla. Some of which may have been ably assisted by the European captain Nick Faldo it seems, given this week’s media commentary about the 2008 Ryder Cup. Clearly showing that some scar tissue has carried over from that unsuccessful week in Kentucky six years ago.
Another example perhaps of brilliant player with a glittering playing CV, the highest number of Ryder Cup points and six majors also unable to connect with his team. Seemingly unable to deliver leadership, focus, motivation or generate team spirit.
All the exact opposite to this week’s captain Paul McGinley. Who with a more modest playing career seemed very in touch with his team, able to drive them to victory with apparent ease and little visible fuss. But with a history in team sports prior to golf that enabled him to understand behaviour outside the individualism of golf. Winning too despite bearing the added burden of favourites, a tag that any team dislikes in advance of a major tournament.
But in mentioning Paul it should be noted the amount of times he played in the Ryder Cup; the wide variety of captains he played under; along with the number of times he was a vice captain, allowing an apprenticeship to learn the ropes of what the two year captaincy job now entails. Not to mention the added time served in the alternate trophies, one named after the European talisman, Seve Ballesteros – The Seve trophy – and the Royal Trophy. Both lower profile competitions that allow for learning without suffering any public humiliation should they suffer defeat. McGinley the captained Great Britain and Ireland in the Seve Trophy in 2009 and 2011.
The Presidents Cup should be used in the same way
The added advantage being that players get to know their possible future captain in a less daunting environment forming a valuable base should they all meet up years later in a Ryder Cup cauldron. What business people would call succession planning.
Curiously Jack Nicklaus has captained the USA both in the Presidents Cup and Ryder cup. However Tom Watson only ever captained the Ryder Cup team and that was in 1983. Much has changed in the game since then and without being ageist, the demand now are very different of a captain. Especially as golfers too are very different breed to the way they were ten years ago. Never mind twenty years ago. It would be just as if Sir Bobby Charlton went back to Manchester United this week as manager.
As a result Watson will have learned some harsh lessons this week at Gleneagles and seen a totally different event since that last one at The Belfry in 1993. Whereas the changes playing the Open Championship annually may have been less obvious given as an individual the travelling, the practice routine, the pairings and the venues are all known to him. And even if the partners get younger each year, it does not affect his own game. Which he proved at Turnberry in 2009 when he just lost out to Stewart Cink on the eighteenth green.
In 1993 the team carried more contemporaries passionate about winning and loving the constant winning of the Ryder Cup. Names such as Ray Floyd, Tom Kite and Lanny Wadkins were there. All different to the young guns this time around. With the likes of Fowler not realising the iconic status of Watson in the world game such is the power of his own brand marketing in the modern era. Without even a major title under his belt. Or maybe Americans don’t appreciate Watson as much as we do in Europe, given his numerous Open Championship wins were probably not televised.
The interesting point about Mickelson’s outburst on Sunday night is that he does care about the Ryder Cup, and is similar to Watson in that regard. The constant losing enough to affect him personally given he is one of the last to remember those good old days of regular USA wins. Mickelson having played first in 1995 at Oak Hill – and winning his singles 2&1 against per Ulrik Johansson. And part of a dying breed of golfers on the other side of the Atlantic. That may only include the generation of Brad Faxon, Jim Furyk and Fred Couples these days. Who between them need now to find that a formula to strengthen the US Ryder Cup teams for the future.
Hence it is understandable that Paul Azinger’s name arises. The equivalent perhaps of the European choice of Sam Torrance for 2002 and someone who was able to bring the home victory, and doing so in the proper Samuel Ryder way after the shortcomings of The Country Club in Brookline two years earlier.
The truth is that if Mickelson is articulating some thoughts – albeit the timing is most ill-judged – then the PGA needs to listen. As occurred in 1977 when Jack Nicklaus met the PGA of Europe after GB & Ireland had lost nine of the previous 10 Ryder Cups. The worry is that the manner the message was delivered was unsporting and may ensure that the effect is minimised
In 1977 though it was obvious to the commercially astute Nicklaus that Americans would lose interest in the biennial matches if they won all the time. So he suggested an expansion of the team to include European players, given the Spanish Armada were winning European tournaments. Resulting in changes within two years, even if the defeats still continued until 1983, when the Europeans lost by mere point and Seve Ballesteros seeing for the first time that the US could be beaten. Which they did in 1985 when Sam Torrance holed a 22-foot putt on the 18th hole to defeat Andy North and help secure a six point for Europe.
Since 1985, the Ryder Cup has been played 15 times and the Gleneagles victory is Europe’s tenth and halving once. Proving that radical changes can deliver results.
Not forgetting that these days ...
The World number one golfer is European - no longer American
Europe won the FedEx Cup in 2013
Europeans have won the US Open 2010, 2011 and 2014
Half the team now live in the USA
All play weekly on the PGA Tour, so no more fear factor
Ryder cup rookies are regular winners
Europe no longer easily beaten in the singles
Europe also played the better golf across the three days and were man for man a match for any opponent. In addition the European captain is a student of the Ryder Cup and left no stone unturned to ensure the victory for his team. The focus always being on the twelve players, caddies and backroom team throughout. Never once stealing the limelight. Except when required to do so
For the USA it may now be time for Watson, Mickelson and PGA to call Jack once again.
OSM - All rights reserved
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)