Poisoned Chalice..!

[colourblindchameleon]

Perhaps this should be the new name for the Ryder Cup in America thesedays. It seems that Azinger is taking charge at the helm next time, and I can`t help but think is it worth the hassle??? To forfeit your concentration on your game/earnings, all that hard work etc???

The reason I ask is that Lehman did a good job in my opinion, despite the final scoreline! He did everything right (more or less) but I couldn`t help feel that if he (Lehman) had been playing he`d possibly have been top points scorer himself! He seemed to really put his heart and soul into the task, with a complete turnaround in persona since Brookline 1999....and yet the end result of the 2006 Ryder Cup was a shocker imo. I really thought the American team were going to do well this time around!

Anyhow, I suppose it`s a great honour for Azinger, etc,etc,etc, but , unless you have total control over the entire selection of the team (as opposed to just the two captains picks)....would you feel comfortable taking on this job! A situation/dilema that`s not currently necessary for the European captain!

If there`s to be a change in the American team selection criteria, does the captain have any say in such changes, does anyone know?

[Dabbler]

I thought the European team had the first 10 places automatically decided by the top 5 Europeans in the World Rankings follwed by the top 5 in the European Order of Merit (i.e. if not already in the previous selection). Then after that the captain picks two of his choice?

Or is that not what you mean?:confused:

[Longshot]

To forfeit your concentration on your game/earnings, all that hard work etc???


To be fair, I think it's too late for Azinger on that front anymore. He's more of a commentator than a player these days.

They've done this so he's against Faldo. Have you heard those two guys bantering on the commentary ? This is TV golf magic for the networks and sponsors.

[colourblindchameleon]

I thought the European team had the first 10 places automatically decided by the top 5 Europeans in the World Rankings follwed by the top 5 in the European Order of Merit (i.e. if not already in the previous selection). Then after that the captain picks two of his choice?

Or is that not what you mean?:confused:

..Dabbler, I meant the European system of selection works fine, therefore the European captain has no real problems with his team selection. Whereas the American selection process never seems to produce the hot players at the right time. Which is why if someone were to become an American captain they`d be better off if they could drop their whole selection process and let the captain choose all 12 players, something the European captain has no need/wish to do.

Then a strong American captain might drop Mickelson from the team for example , for someone else who is in form, yet remains out of their top ten qualifers! Mickelson doesn`t seem to produce his best for these matches.

[Dabbler]

Ahhh....thanks for the explanation. I understand and quite agree with what you said.

[Putton]

Perhaps this should be the new name for the Ryder Cup in America thesedays. It seems that Azinger is taking charge at the helm next time, and I can`t help but think is it worth the hassle??? To forfeit your concentration on your game/earnings, all that hard work etc??

The Ryder cup is big business nowadays which generates a lot of money. This is how the Junior progammes are financed and the game is being promoted.
So, as long the "rivalry" is maintained, this is good for the respective pga's:wink:
From the captain's point of view, it is the opportunity to be in the limelight, give lots of interviews as well as being considered an honour for your services to the sport