Darren Clarke v Paul Mc Ginley or anybody else

soundsham

Getting a bit p1ssed off watching the current candidates for European Ryder Cup captain making the captaincy race a bit on the trashy side
Usually the european captain has been well chosen and discreetly done
The yanks have thrown a bit of a curveball as they say by choosing Tom Watson
Maybe it's desperation or maybe the inspirational man will strike a cord, but most of all I have to say I like the fact that it was kept secret until it was unveiled shows a little bit of class
I know there are no points won off the course but the European tour or the players committee who choose this captain should reinit in a bit in my opinion
What do you think
Any chance of a poll till the end of the year on who you would like as captain Darren and Paul seem to be in the fore front so if possible make it a 3 way choice
These or anybody else,
Sound.

NapoleonInRags

Jesus, who cares at this stage? I love watching the RC when it's on but the whole 2 year media sideshow and speculation that goes on baffles me to be honest.

tang1

How about Sandy Lyle?? Hes Scottish, the Europeans could throw a curve ball to(i'm waiting with bated breath to be berated for even suggesting him).

redhill

..

Rikand

tang1 wrote: »

How about Sandy Lyle?? Hes Scottish, the Europeans could throw a curve ball to(i'm waiting with bated breath to be berated for even suggesting him).

I would love it

but his chance has probably passed him by at this stage and he might be a little bit too controversial for some of the things he has said in the past.

but I would love it! He was my favourite golfer growing up

Seves Three Iron

Lyle comes across as a moody sod, IMO. Remember he jacked it in after 10 or 11 holes of the Open at Birkdale in '08 - a hand injury/pi$$ed off playing crap in awful weather. That sort of stuff isn't quickly forgotten by the big wigs. Couple of years ago he hammered his driver off the ground at Augusta and left a hole in the ground. Hardly inspirational stuff.

ShivasIrons

It's interesting how it's become a reward for good play rather than picking the best candidate. You get the impression that some players think it's an entitlement.

I think that McGinley would be a very good captain. Langer would be great again. Monty seems to be angling for him to be picked again, but could you face him having more chance to talk about 'his' Ryder Cup team??

Benicetomonty

I'd be very disappointed if Monty got another go. His win in Celtic Manor was a fitting result for the career he's had in the event but he's exhausted his usefulness as far as I'm concerned. His commentary during Medinah was embarrassing, continuously trying to associate himself with the team ("I'm just so proud to be part of this....etc") whilst remaining oblivious (deliberately or otherwise) to the fact that he wasn't actually offered that opportunity via the position of vice-captaincy by Olazabal.

I'm really surprised Darren Clarke said what he did (assuming he wasn't mis-quoted) - all it has done is detracted from McGinley's chances, and I think PMcG deserves his shot, especially considering Darren seems willing to stand aside. I don't know what to make of Watson's appointment but for Clarke to essentially declare it a P.G.A master-stroke because of the intimidation factor Watson supposedly possesses vastly overplays the importance of the role of captaincy. You'd have to be an absolute disaster to be blamed, properly blamed, for a Ryder Cup defeat as captain; the only legitimate examples I can cite in the last 2 decades are Hal Sutton and Nick Faldo, for very obvious reasons. Outside of ridiculously basic pairing and self-handling decisions that just about any real golf fan could manage, it really is all down to the players. Tom Lehman, for example, was perfectly competent and still got walloped (by Ian Woosnam of all people).

Montgomerie hasn't become any more likeable since his golf career has begun to wane, indicating that his behaviour towards fans/spectators/reporters on the golf course and off of it, is and always has been the result of obnoxiousness as opposed to the 'pressures' of top-flight golf that he so often tended to blame. I love watching him play but his golf, at its best, is all he has to offer the game from what I can see. He's had an incredible record in the Ryder Cup and I'm delighted that Europe managed to win under his captaincy but he's had his day. McGinely has just as much respect amongst the players, is far better in front of a camera and should be no more out of place in Scotland than Woosnam was in Ireland. The only people who have any right to dispute his appointment for 2014 are Jimenez, Bjorn or Clarke and if they have no problem with McGinley's captaincy, nobody else should.

FixdePitchmark

Benicetomonty wrote: »

I'd be very disappointed if Monty got another go. His win in Celtic Manor was a fitting result for the career he's had in the event but he's exhausted his usefulness as far as I'm concerned. His commentary during Medinah was embarrassing, continuously trying to associate himself with the team ("I'm just so proud to be part of this....etc") whilst remaining oblivious (deliberately or otherwise) to the fact that he wasn't actually offered that opportunity via the position of vice-captaincy by Olazabal.

I'm really surprised Darren Clarke said what he did (assuming he wasn't mis-quoted) - all it has done is detracted from McGinley's chances, and I think PMcG deserves his shot, especially considering Darren seems willing to stand aside. I don't know what to make of Watson's appointment but for Clarke to essentially declare it a P.G.A master-stroke because of the intimidation factor Watson supposedly possesses vastly overplays the importance of the role of captaincy. You'd have to be an absolute disaster to be blamed, properly blamed, for a Ryder Cup defeat as captain; the only legitimate examples I can cite in the last 2 decades are Hal Sutton and Nick Faldo, for very obvious reasons. Outside of ridiculously basic pairing and self-handling decisions that just about any real golf fan could manage, it really is all down to the players. Tom Lehman, for example, was perfectly competent and still got walloped (by Ian Woosnam of all people).

Montgomerie hasn't become any more likeable since his golf career has begun to wane, indicating that his behaviour towards fans/spectators/reporters on the golf course and off of it, is and always has been the result of obnoxiousness as opposed to the 'pressures' of top-flight golf that he so often tended to blame. I love watching him play but his golf, at its best, is all he has to offer the game from what I can see. He's had an incredible record in the Ryder Cup and I'm delighted that Europe managed to win under his captaincy but he's had his day. McGinely has just as much respect amongst the players, is far better in front of a camera and should be no more out of place in Scotland than Woosnam was in Ireland. The only people who have any right to dispute his appointment for 2014 are Jimenez, Bjorn or Clarke and if they have no problem with McGinley's captaincy, nobody else should.

I like Paul McGinley as a bloke. But, unfortunately I don't think he has the profile that the modern Ryder Cup captain needs. I'm not one that agrees with that as a reason for him not getting it, but it will be very hard for him overcome.

Anyway watching Miracle at Medinah.

Seves Three Iron

I think McGinley will struggle to get the gig due to his lack of profile also. Still, Sam Torrance and even Mark James got the gig in the past so who knows. Personally, I'd like to see McGin get a shot at it.

Couple of gen issues;

* Thomas Bjorn for some reason has slipped completely off the radar, publicly at least.

* Seems to be a real haste in Europe to 'react' to the Watson appt, even Clarke was suggesting as much. But Europe aren't the ones who need to overhaul or pull out some rabbit.

tang1

No more than McGinley, Bjorn will suffer due to lack of profile. Granted he went head to head with Tiger in Dubai and won, McGinley has sunk the winning putt in a Ryder Cup. But both are lacking in Major honours, which is not a big decision factor it appears in captain selection in Europe. McGinley, Clarke, Jimenez and i'd go as far as Monty are in line for Gleneagles captaincy. Personally i'd go with McGinley, comes across as a man with his head screwed on, seriously respected by his fellow pros. Knows a thing or to about sinking a winning putt in a Ryder Cup and not to sound to patriotic is a true and true Irish man which would be great.

TRS30

Who cares about 'profile'?! It should be the best man for the man, full stop.

Aidric

I think McGinley has been building towards this for a while now. He probably isn't the big name usually associated with the captaincy but h'd be a steady pair of hands.

RikkFlair

Seves Three Iron wrote: »

* Thomas Bjorn for some reason has slipped completely off the radar, publicly at least.

Having won 3 times last year, and a bit younger at 41 than Clarke (43) and McGinley (46) I'd imagine he'd be aiming to make the next few teams. Whereas McGinleys Ryder Cup playing days are over, and possibly Clarkes too if his form since winning the Open is anything to go by.

Bjorn would be a good bet for 2018 and beyond.