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I have just again read comments attributed to Tiger Woods that he still does not "get" all the hype around the Ryder Cup. To an amateur, weekend golfer, watching the top professionals play the same competative formats ( 4 somes, 4 balls and singles) as we play either for fun or in competition, is what makes the Ryder Cup special. Watching a pair in 4 ball or 4 somes, looking at the chemistry, the decision making,executing hole winning shots, or making errors under pressure, is a hugh thrill. As is the final day 1:1 of the singles. Equally the performance of the captains, who plays with whom, who to drop, the order for the singles all makes fantastic viewing. The ultimate for a sports / golf fan is watching players give 100% from the off. Match 1 on Friday morning is like the back 9 of a major or top ranking event.
When all the media build up is put aside you have 13 against 13, including the captains, over 3 days of constant ebb and flow. Stroke play, lowest score over 4 days wins does not even come close to the Ryder Cup as a golf spectacle, with the possible exception of the Majors. I am sure Tiger knows all this, and this year he will led the US team well, all be it to a narrow defeat. Come on Europe.

Ahem,

"He might be vulnerable over 18 holes of matchplay - but who is going to beat him over two rounds?"

Don't like to blow my own trumpet, but have you been watching, Iain?

;o)

Tiger was one of the greatest amateur golfers of the modern game. 3 straight U.S. Junior Amateur Championships, followed by 3 consecutive U.S. Amateurs is unprecedented. However, the amateur game predominantly revolves around the matchplay format and Tiger at is pre-professional peak was magnificent. His game however, has evolved and had to in order to succeed at a professional level. Anyone who has played all formats of stroke/matchplay will tell you that your tactics differ greatly. Now, Tiger is very vulnerable at Matchplay and has seldom won singles games in the last 10 years. Gary Wolstenholm defeated him in the Walker Cup at Royal Porthcawl, Costantino Rocca defeated him in '97 Ryder Cup and Micheel has beat him today. Anyone can beat anyone in 18 holes of matchplay, doing the business over 72 holes is what it's all about. That's where great players are made. The Ryder Cup, although a media delight and a spectacle for the public - only temporary heroes it doth make.

You seem to be very judgmental about Tiger's lack of enthusiasm about the Ryder Cup. Why should he whoop it up into something that it's not just because the British media wants to make it something big to write about? It's a challenge match between two groups of multi-millionaires that is watchable because it's an exhibition of them demonstrating their ability one against one in contrast to playing the course, which is what they do most other weeks. If Brits and Europeans get pleasure from whupping the Americans all I can say is that it is time they went back to playschool. I'm sure that, if they are honest, few Americans give a hoot whether they win or lose, and that's the measure of it.

Another reason that we love the Ryder Cup is that we get the chance ti take on the USA. They are an insular country who invent their own sports and call themselves World Champions. They have no interest in Football, even when their team are in the World Cup, the majority of Americans don't even know about it. The Ryder Cup is something that they all know about and golf is a major sport in the US and this is our chance to compete on a level playing field with them.

Shaun,
So sorry to have underestimated you. Hey-ho, we all live and learn!
I've always regarded you as a highly talented golfer, and my admiration is even greater now - I notice from the time you posted your comment that you were able to access the internet, read my rubbish, respond to it, polish off Tiger and do a TV interview all at the same time!
Respect.

Iain Carter

So much for the World Matchplay having one of the best fields in years. They just about all went home yesterday!
Sadly, unless the timing of this event can be changed, this may be the last time we see so many of the world's best at Wentworth.
The pros and cons of the Fedex Cup's effect on the game around the world I'm sure will be debated again.

Well done Shaun Micheel. The Ryder Cup is not about millionaires, it`s about the best golfers in the world playing for their team and their sport. It`s the best of golf.

Thanks for the admirable comments Iain. Yeah, I guess I'm pretty talented (do you remember that cracker of a 2nd to the 72nd hole at Oak Hill I hit ... ?) but not enough yesterday to beat Case. That boy is talented but a wee bit cocky. Spoke to Cap'n Tom a wee while ago and the US of A have a plan to stop him in his tracks in Dublin.

Yours,

Shaun

I'm an American living in the UK and for years (pre Tiger) I cheered for the European team. I was initially a Seve fan but when I got into teaching golf I became a Faldo admirer. But since Tiger arrived on the scene and some of the veteran American players moved on, I have fully supported the US team. The reason is simple, European players seem more obsessed with winning the Ryder Cup than major championships. Don't get me wrong, I love the Ryder Cup, but it is a team competion that happens every two years. By then there has been 8 majors played. This group of Europeans haven't a single major except for Ollie and he is somewhat of a throw back to the Seve/Faldo era. time will tell, but if Europe is the better team they will have to win it from the position of favourites. Let's see how well they handle the pressure when everyone expects them to win. Although i'm not convinced they are the favourites. Also, i'm just about sick and tired of hearing about how Americans can't play certain types of shots. The four majors require total shotmaking ability and I think our record in the majors speak loud and clear. So let's get this thing into perspective, what would your record in the Ryder Cup be if the rules had not been changed to favour you guys. And, let's try to win a Major sometime soon.