Toothless Tiger not playing well enough
for US Ryder Cup captain's pick
FROM THE SKYSPORTS.COM WEBSITE
By EWEN MURRAY
Hello from Sheboygan in Wisconsin.
We are just a few hours away from bringing you extensive live coverage of the year's final major championship and as it's raining, and I don't feel like going out and getting wet, I thought I would bring you some of the stories taking the headlines Stateside as well as answering some of your thoughts from last week's column.
As always, I thank you for taking the time to write in.
Alex Edmund wondered why so little was said about the wonderful course that hosted the hugely successful Nordea Scandinavian Masters. Alex, I have spoken with many of the players about what was a superb venue and they are in harmony with you.
Many have said how much they enjoyed it and that they were looking forward to returning in the years ahead. The reason I did not mention it is the fact I was at Carnoustie for the British Senior Open which we were covering the same week, so I have not seen it.
I don't think we will see Woods return to any form until he has some calmness back in his life off the course. I don't think we will see him in Wales although both Tiger and the American captain Corey Pavin say otherwise.
It's nice to hear someone talk so warmly about one of their own courses and Bro Hoff Slott Golf Club certainly made a fine introduction to the European Tour. I suspect Richard Johnson's win made the week more memorable for you and your own folk.
By the way, how about the caddie when the winning putt disappeared? Must be one of the images of the year!
As the Ryder Cup gets ever nearer, much of the talk is about the teams and the captain's picks.
Mark Roper questioned that if Justin Rose doesn't make the team, should he receive the nod from Colin Montgomerie as the Englishman has concentrated on the PGA Tour and given his home tour the cold shoulder?
I understand where you are coming from Mark, but his form has been excellent of late and we should pick the strongest team. If it were me as captain, I would think hard over the reason you suggest, as we have a multitude of talent on this side of the Atlantic.
After all, Luke Donald has made a determined effort to play as much as he could in Europe and has a win, a runner's up place and a third to show for his visit in May and June.
The mention that Monty may have Bernhard Langer's name at the back of his mind as a possible wild card sparked some discussion.
George Harrison thought it was a decent idea and teaming Langer with the fine talent of Martin Kaymer I think has some merit. I agree George, both are blessed with a huge amount of mental strength.
Alexander Prime wondered why I had not mentioned Kaymer. Alexander, Martin is in there at the moment in seventh place and a decent PGA this week will see him consolidate his place in the team.
You are right about one thing and that is Colin is spoiled for choice, which is a nice problem to have, although a tough one to deal with.
J.P. reckons there will be no weak link at Celtic Manor as so many players are more than capable of being up to the task, while Pat Barrett can't wait to see Lee Westwood and Padraig Harrington lead Europe to the first tee on October the first.
Sadly for Big Al Stewart, there would seem to be no Scotsman in the team for the second consecutive playing of the Ryder Cup. Maybe Martin Laird will build on his decent performance at Akron and win at Whistling Straits. We can live in hope Al!
While on that subject, Chris Dunn would like to see some of the developing countries given a chance to host the World Golf Championship events. Firestone works well Chris, but I'm with you on that. Countries like Korea and Sweden deserve recognition and hopefully they will get their chance in the years ahead.
Kieron Lambert enjoyed "Houdini" Harrington's amazing recovery skills at the 3 Irish Open. I suspect Harrington himself was proud of his achievements and James H, was correct in saying the 3 Irish Open deserves a better quality field.
James, the Irish Open was second only to The Open in my playing days. Back in the 70s and 80s many of the top Americans like Ben Crenshaw, Hubert Green and Hale Irwin stayed over after The Open and played around the wonderful links of Portmarnock and Royal Dublin.
The fans give the Irish Open that major feel and I hope the championship continues to grow. Killarney was a wonderful success.
Many of you who watched the Bridgestone last week would be stunned at the performance of the game's number one player.
Last in fairways hit, last in greens in regulation, not in the top 50 in putting and three out of 15 in sand saves. In anyone's book, that is rock bottom; in Tiger Wood's world, it's unthinkable.
I saw a Tiger who was angry with himself for his misdemeanours, someone who didn't like himself. He was uncomfortable all week both on the range and the course.
I don't think we will see Woods return to any form until he has some calmness back in his life off the course. I don't think we will see him in Wales although both Tiger and the American captain Corey Pavin say otherwise.
We have talked about his swing in this column a lot in recent months and this week he has sought the thoughts of well-respected swing coach, Sean Foley.
Sean looks after the games of Justin Rose, Sean O'Hair and last week's champion in Akron, Hunter Mahan. Sean has, I believe, addressed the lack of height at the start of the downswing and the movement of Tiger's head throughout the swing.
That will certainly help the club to be more in front of him on the way down as opposed to getting the club trapped behind him. In practice, Tiger's caddie, Steve Williams, has been placing a club at the side of his head and already he looks much more consistent. Maybe we will see a Tiger we are more familiar with this week.
Phil Mickelson has voiced he has a form of arthritis which has forced him to take medication as well as becoming a vegetarian in the past seven weeks and the results are promising.
He has a chance once again to take over Tiger's crown at the top of the world rankings having let an opportunity slip last week with a closing 78.
Wisconsin's Steve Stricker can also become number one if he can win in his home State, but Lee Westwood's chance has fallen to the calf injury that has bothered him for too long now.
I had dinner with Darren Clarke and Lee's manager, Andrew Chandler last evening and they, along with Lee are confident he will be ready for the Ryder Cup. More importantly, Lee's medical advisors share the same thoughts.
It's a big week for many of Colin's hopefuls with Ross Fisher, Martin Kaymer, Francesco Molinari and Miguel Angel Jimenez hoping to stay inside the automatic top nine.
Hot on their heels is Paul Casey, Justin Rose, Eduardo Molinari, Padraig Harrington and Alvaro Quiros among others. Sadly for Sergio Garcia, it's all but over unless he can finish in the top three on Sunday.
If he fails to do that, he will take a two-month break from the sport and return for his own event at Castillon in mid October. I never thought Monty's team would not include Sergio.
The weather will play a part this week. Tuesday night's rain has changed the character of Pete Dye's course and more rain is expected at the weekend. This is one of the great major courses, tough for sure, but very fair.
Enjoy the high definition pictures from the banks of Lake Michigan where David Howell is our studio guest this week. I've backed Charl Schwartzel as I think he will respond to Louis Oosthuizen's brilliance at St. Andrews, so there's one to steer clear of!
Speak soon.
Labels: PRO GOLF
