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The Road to the Ryder Cup 2014

1468910

Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 20,664 ✭✭✭✭Rikand


    AGC wrote: »
    Yeah until last night Watson had not much of a decision to make. Id go with Kirk above Simpson and Moore

    We were wrong.

    Bradley mahan and simpson


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,111 ✭✭✭RikkFlair


    I see Darren Clarke will be working with Sky so obviously not a vice captain this time around


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 20,664 ✭✭✭✭Rikand


    A flyover of the course and each hole at Gleneagles!

    http://www.rydercup2014.com/the-course/


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,076 ✭✭✭✭vienne86


    RikkFlair wrote: »
    I see Darren Clarke will be working with Sky so obviously not a vice captain this time around

    He should be good - I always like his interviews - just talks straight. I wonder who Paul will pick for vice captains.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 20,664 ✭✭✭✭Rikand


    vienne86 wrote: »
    He should be good - I always like his interviews - just talks straight. I wonder who Paul will pick for vice captains.

    Sam Torrance and Des Smyth already locked in.

    He has room for one more I think, possibly 2

    Could take in Paddy Harrington ?

    Or go out of left field and ask Luke Donald.

    When Monty asked Sergio to be vice captain. He was like a 13th player all by himself out there. He was absolutely everywhere. His enthusiasm was second to none and Luke could do the same....


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 20,664 ✭✭✭✭Rikand


    Actually yeah, Monty had 4 assistant captains ( McGinley, Bjorn, Clarke and Garcia ) so I guess McGinley could have the same.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,648 ✭✭✭AGC


    Rikand wrote: »
    We were wrong.

    Bradley mahan and simpson

    Yeap, still 3 good picks.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 20,664 ✭✭✭✭Rikand


    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_Ryder_Cup#Players

    Interesting to look at the winning percentages of players on both teams.

    Stenson is the only player on the European Team with a losing percentage from his matches ( less than 50% record )

    But the American's only have 5 people with a 50% or better record and 3 of them were Captains picks. Straight hitters Zach Johnson and Matt Kuchar being the others.

    It really does go towards asserting how dominant Europe have been in recent Ryder Cups


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,886 ✭✭✭abff


    Rikand wrote: »
    Sam Torrance and Des Smyth already locked in.

    He has room for one more I think, possibly 2

    Could take in Paddy Harrington ?

    Or go out of left field and ask Luke Donald.

    When Monty asked Sergio to be vice captain. He was like a 13th player all by himself out there. He was absolutely everywhere. His enthusiasm was second to none and Luke could do the same....

    I read that he is going to choose 3 additional vice captains and that they are likely to be Harrington, Paul Lawrie and Jiminez. Announcement expected before the end of this week.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,823 ✭✭✭✭First Up


    abff wrote: »
    I read that he is going to choose 3 additional vice captains and that they are likely to be Harrington, Paul Lawrie and Jiminez. Announcement expected before the end of this week.

    I don't think I would let Harrington anywhere near them. He'll wreck their heads.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,083 ✭✭✭Adiaga 2




    Nice backing music by Lir too :cool:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,886 ✭✭✭abff


    Langer is being mentioned as a possible shock choice for vice captain.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,823 ✭✭✭✭First Up


    abff wrote: »
    Langer is being mentioned as a possible shock choice for vice captain.

    I wouldn't be shocked at all. Only thing is McGinley might be wary of having very strong people around who might undermine his authority.


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 12,810 Mod ✭✭✭✭Keano


    Jose Maria Olazabal, Padraig Harrington and Miguel Angel Jimenez as assistant captains.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,133 ✭✭✭✭FixdePitchmark


    Jose Maria Olazabal, Padraig Harrington and Miguel Angel Jimenez as assistant captains.

    A bit daft to have Jose Maria in ? - as in too close to last one ?

    Is Padraig in - class - or is that your prediction ?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 7,967 ✭✭✭Synode


    All three are confirmed in


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,133 ✭✭✭✭FixdePitchmark


    Synode wrote: »
    All three are confirmed in

    Having Jose and Paddy together is fascinating,

    But having Jose there is like having Ferguson in the stands for Moyes. (IMO)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,536 ✭✭✭Dolph Starbeam


    Having Jose and Paddy together is fascinating,

    But having Jose there is like having Ferguson in the stands for Moyes. (IMO)

    It's nothing like that at all. So much experience and all very popular players which will help. Cannot wait for this to kick off.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,133 ✭✭✭✭FixdePitchmark


    YayaBanana wrote: »
    It's nothing like that at all. So much experience and all very popular players which will help. Cannot wait for this to kick off.

    I think it is - he was captain - very close to the players - 24 months ago.

    Things go wrong - who does Garcia and lads from old team "turn" to. :confused:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 20,664 ✭✭✭✭Rikand


    I think it is - he was captain - very close to the players - 24 months ago.

    Things go wrong - who does Garcia and lads from old team "turn" to. :confused:

    If they turn to jose, so what ? Thats why you elect vice captains - to take the pressure of yourself when things aren't going your way and to get necessary advice from them throughout. If jose has a different opinion or if the players go to jose with thoughts, he can go to Paul with these thoughts as an intermediary. All that matters is the team wins and IF the team wins, Paul will get all the plaudits for the way he put his team together.

    The european team is a TEAM. It's probably part of the reason why we have done so much better than the states in recent years, we have more of a TEAM mentality. The US are more like a group of individuals bundled into a team


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 20,664 ✭✭✭✭Rikand


    Lets not forget, Paul has been part of many of the last few successful European teams over the last number of year. Whether as a player or as a vice captain, so he knows exactly how things lie in the dressing room. There's no doubt that he has carefully assembled the people he wants to help us win this. If a big personality like Jose is going to do this, then kudos to Paul!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 544 ✭✭✭Telecaster58


    McGinley has been doing well, until now. I can only describe the selection of his backroom staff as bizarre.
    Bringing in Des Smyth and Sam Torrance made no sense whatsoever. Spare me the "experience" debate, McGinley is either his own man or he's not. Calling on Torrance's experience from 20 years ago is nonsensical. He may as well have supported Torrance getting the job this time round. Des Smyth brings very little experience to the job. If you were going to appoint someone of that vintage then Sandy Lyle was a better pick.
    As for Harrington, this is by far the most egregious appointment. Despite the fact that he is seen as aloof and remote by most players, he has not competed on the European Tour for years. I do not see what his qualifications for the job are, other than he's McGinley's mate. A far better choice would have been Darren Clarke. A major winner and talisman for the European team. The fact that he was still competing on the European Tour and, latterly America, means he knows most of the players and has a great relationship with at least 4 of them, McIlroy, MacDowell, Westwood, and Bjorn.
    Again the selection of JM Olazabal smacked of someone needing a crutch. The obvious choice here was another Scot, Paul Lawrie. Vastly experienced, major winner, European tour player, and, possibly most important, a local man.
    You dropped the ball Paul


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,076 ✭✭✭✭vienne86


    Rikand wrote: »
    Lets not forget, Paul has been part of many of the last few successful European teams over the last number of year. Whether as a player or as a vice captain, so he knows exactly how things lie in the dressing room. There's no doubt that he has carefully assembled the people he wants to help us win this. If a big personality like Jose is going to do this, then kudos to Paul!

    Yes, Paul has seen a lot of these situations, so let's hope he has got this one right. Not at all sure what Harrington brings to the party, but it'll be nice to see him there.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,343 ✭✭✭Martin567


    As for Harrington, this is by far the most egregious appointment. Despite the fact that he is seen as aloof and remote by most players, he has not competed on the European Tour for years. I do not see what his qualifications for the job are, other than he's McGinley's mate. A far better choice would have been Darren Clarke. A major winner and talisman for the European team. The fact that he was still competing on the European Tour and, latterly America, means he knows most of the players and has a great relationship with at least 4 of them, McIlroy, MacDowell, Westwood, and Bjorn.

    The highlighted bits don't make sense, completely contradictory. Unless you have some inside knowledge of how Harrington & Clarke get on with the other players, then any comment is only speculation.

    You say that Padraig has no qualifications for the job but Darren's include being a major winner and that he competes on the European Tour & PGA Tour with the other players!! Surely all of these things apply to Padraig also!

    I don't think anyone expected Darren to be a vice-captain on this team. For reasons best known to himself, he tried to hinder McGinley's candidacy in the days leading up to the vote. You may think that is something that Paul should have overlooked but, as captain, it is surely best that he fully trusts everyone on his backroom team.


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 12,810 Mod ✭✭✭✭Keano


    McGinley has been doing well, until now. I can only describe the selection of his backroom staff as bizarre.
    Bringing in Des Smyth and Sam Torrance made no sense whatsoever. Spare me the "experience" debate, McGinley is either his own man or he's not. Calling on Torrance's experience from 20 years ago is nonsensical. He may as well have supported Torrance getting the job this time round. Des Smyth brings very little experience to the job. If you were going to appoint someone of that vintage then Sandy Lyle was a better pick.
    As for Harrington, this is by far the most egregious appointment. Despite the fact that he is seen as aloof and remote by most players, he has not competed on the European Tour for years. I do not see what his qualifications for the job are, other than he's McGinley's mate. A far better choice would have been Darren Clarke. A major winner and talisman for the European team. The fact that he was still competing on the European Tour and, latterly America, means he knows most of the players and has a great relationship with at least 4 of them, McIlroy, MacDowell, Westwood, and Bjorn.
    Again the selection of JM Olazabal smacked of someone needing a crutch. The obvious choice here was another Scot, Paul Lawrie. Vastly experienced, major winner, European tour player, and, possibly most important, a local man.
    You dropped the ball Paul
    You conveniently forgot to mention when bashing Harrington and what he brings is that he has 3 majors. You were very quick to throw majors around when talking about Lawrie and Lyle. If the player's cannot respect a 3 time major winner then they'll never respect anyone.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,138 ✭✭✭✭PARlance


    And not a caddy has been sacked yet!!!!

    The man who most of us wanted for the job clearly can't do it :)
    Unless he wins. That's a given.

    Think there's way too much hype and analysis of the back room team in general.
    It's down to 12 great golfers against another 12, a whole pile of luck and who plays marginally better.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 453 ✭✭Domo1982


    As much as I like Harrington it would be hard to take him seriously in the locker room given his antics over the last few years


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,834 ✭✭✭Speak Now


    Domo1982 wrote: »
    As much as I like Harrington it would be hard to take him seriously in the locker room given his antics over the last few years


    LOL!! What antics?? He lost his game, it happens. Jaysus!!!


    P.S Unless he's trashed a few locker rooms in the last few years???


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,648 ✭✭✭AGC


    McGinley has been doing well, until now. I can only describe the selection of his backroom staff as bizarre.
    Bringing in Des Smyth and Sam Torrance made no sense whatsoever. Spare me the "experience" debate, McGinley is either his own man or he's not. Calling on Torrance's experience from 20 years ago is nonsensical. He may as well have supported Torrance getting the job this time round. Des Smyth brings very little experience to the job. If you were going to appoint someone of that vintage then Sandy Lyle was a better pick.
    As for Harrington, this is by far the most egregious appointment. Despite the fact that he is seen as aloof and remote by most players, he has not competed on the European Tour for years. I do not see what his qualifications for the job are, other than he's McGinley's mate. A far better choice would have been Darren Clarke. A major winner and talisman for the European team. The fact that he was still competing on the European Tour and, latterly America, means he knows most of the players and has a great relationship with at least 4 of them, McIlroy, MacDowell, Westwood, and Bjorn.
    Again the selection of JM Olazabal smacked of someone needing a crutch. The obvious choice here was another Scot, Paul Lawrie. Vastly experienced, major winner, European tour player, and, possibly most important, a local man.
    You dropped the ball Paul

    Bizarre post, especially the Harrington piece.

    You really think Harrington has no relationship with McIlroy, McDowell, Westwood, Bjorn etc...? He has played on Ryder Cup teams with those 4 players you say. He also has massive knowledge of the event and someone McGinley is clearly comfortable with.

    Id love to see your insight into Andy North


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 544 ✭✭✭Telecaster58


    Martin567 wrote: »
    The highlighted bits don't make sense, completely contradictory. Unless you have some inside knowledge of how Harrington & Clarke get on with the other players, then any comment is only speculation.

    You say that Padraig has no qualifications for the job but Darren's include being a major winner and that he competes on the European Tour & PGA Tour with the other players!! Surely all of these things apply to Padraig also!

    I don't think anyone expected Darren to be a vice-captain on this team. For reasons best known to himself, he tried to hinder McGinley's candidacy in the days leading up to the vote. You may think that is something that Paul should have overlooked but, as captain, it is surely best that he fully trusts everyone on his backroom team.
    You must have highlighted the wrong bits.
    That said, Harrington played his golf almost exclusively in America, whilst Clarke has only been there over the last couple of years. I cannot think of one player he could be considered close to, or even have a relationship with, except McGinley. You might think that important but in a team event I think your relationship with the team is of paramount importance.


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