Woosnam and Faldo Assume Ryder Cup Captain Roles
It was announced today that Ian Woosnam and Nick Faldo will be European Ryder Cup captains in 2006 and 2008, respectively. Both of these players have been wonderful Ryder Cuppers. It makes me wonder who the US will have in 2008, after Lehman has the captaincy in 2006. But who will the US have in 2008 to go up against Faldo?? Maybe Curtis Strange? Maybe Tiger Woods (as a playing captain)?? Maybe Couples?? But who??
I think the US's lack of good captains might cause the US to continue to get smashed in this competition...
3 Comments:
It's been reported that the favorite to captain the US squad in 2008 is Paul Azinger. I think that this would be a particularly good choice to go up against Nick Faldo. With these two guys, you have arguably the most clutch match play players of the last 20 years (with the notable exceptions of Seve Ballesteros and Corey Pavin). Faldo and Azinger would be great captains, not only for their accomplished records in the Ryder Cup, but also because they have had some great head-to-head matches/tournaments in the past. I also think that it would be fun to see them work together on tv in the time preceeding their captaincy.
That said, I think the Euros have the definite advantage for the next few matches. Their players, and their young players in particular, have now proven their ability to dominate the US team, which is less team-oriented than the Europeans. I have a strong feeling that Faldo, who incidentally is one of my favorites, is going to be raising the Cup in 2008. The only regret is that this event has to be played on a weak course like Valhalla--why not on one of the great old-style courses that are deserving of such a great event?
I just don't understand the PGA's thinking in naming Lehman the captain. I mean, our whole problem is that the US team is comprised of uninspiring players playing uninspiring golf for uninspiring captains. I bet the PGA chooses Larry Nelson in 2008 to keep the uninspiring trend going. We can expect the Cup to stay overseas for a while.
Time for some old school. Hale Irwin. Bring back Tom Watson. Zinger would be good. I would saw the safe money is on Zinger, Strange or Couples.
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