Went to the K club on the Wednesday. After the weather susided the players emerged to rapturous applause (both teams). The Europeans all took their time wading through the crowds smiling signing autographs. They then split up into groups and played golf stopping after each green to smile, chat and have a laugh with the crowds. They played the holes properly hitting a few balls here an there and trying putts from different spots. They took their time going back to the clubhouse. The US team all gathered with glum faces and played as one big mob. Hitting shots into the greens as if they were on the range. They didnt bother putting at all on any of the holes I saw (they didnt want to practise putting on wet greens or they didnt want any contact with the admiring crowds?). They zipped around and then disappeared back into the clubhouse never to be seen again.
At the end of the day it was putting that let them down.
Im not sure what the problem is. It certainly isnt golfing ability.
Could be:
The US guys dont like to travel overseas?
The courses on the PGA Tour are too uniform especially the greens?
There is no socialising between players on the US Tour?
There is too much pressure on them to perform instead of seeing it as an exhibition where they give something back to the fans and actually have a laugh? Its an end of season party with a bit of a match (which is what they are meant to love).
Mr Verplank certainly looked like he had a few things to say but managed to bite his tongue in the interview I saw.
How about getting a non US captain next time? It works in football (soccer).
The main thing is the matches were played in good spirit and we didn't have any Kiawah or Brookline nonsense.
Maybe the Euros are just better players, despite what the world rankings say.
Actually, I think all the Euros were ranked in the top 20 in the world.
If the US squad only knew of TGM...
Actually... I'm surprised you are the only one saying this. WWII decimated European golf, so the US pretty much dominated for roughly a generation. But I actually thought this years European team was much better balanced and on average more talented then our team. Enough so that it was clear, even to a somewhat biased observer like myself. What puzzles me is why are you and I the only ones who see it that way.
The other thing that puzzles me is why is Tiger less dominant in match play now? As an amateur he was pretty special, as a pro he seems to lack the energy he had when younger. The Euro's are also not particularly awed by him either.
Johnny Miller was pretty vocal with this as well. I don't often agree with Miller, but I think in this case he was right.
I just hope Miller doesn't make a recomendation that the U.S. team be allowed to bring in Canada and Mexico to make things more competitive . Then again, Mike Weir ....never mind.
. Then again, Mike Weir 
....never mind.
Hybrid Mode
