Montgomerie Delays Ryder Cup Picks by 30 Minutes...to Pick Luke Donald?
by Ryan Ballengee on Aug 29, 2010 1:07 PM EDT
in Pro Golf
Email
PrintColin Montgomerie was set to make his three captain's picks for the European Ryder Cup team at 1pm ET. Montgomerie, though, has now pushed back that press conference to announce the picks at 1:30pm.
Perhaps he is doing so to accommodate Luke Donald who has made birdies on six of his first seven holes today in the final round of The Barclays. He is -10 for his last 18 holes of play.
22 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
well this is interesting. RyderCup.com (and PGA.com) have the Rolex clock set for BST (British Summer Time) – but EuropeanTour.com has their clock set fo GMT, which is an hour behind BST. The announcement is supposed to come at 6:30 BST (just a few minutes from now) talk about confusing. (either way – Luke Donald won’t be off the course)
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
He wanted to let Rose know before he went out for his round
that he was not on the team. Casey couldn’t be called, he was on the course. It was more about letting those who didn’t make it know personally from Monty near the announcement as possible.
wow – there’s a lose – lose proposition. Do you tell him before the round that he’s not on the team and take a chance that he’ll be upset – or do you NOT tell him and take a chance that he’ll be distracted ?
At least Rose knows he’s first alternate if Westwood can’t go.
Nice addition to the vice captain’s list of Sergio Garcia. Gotta love a guy who just wants to be there.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
I think it might just restore Sergio's hunger for the game
He will be on the sidelines helping out, but inside, he would want to be out there, no doubt. Great move by Monty.
he’s one guy who always scared me during RC’s. no matter how bad of a season he had, when the Ryder Cup rolled around, he was going to find a way to beat you. always loved watching Sergio and Parnevic teamed together.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
Yes, I did too.
But Sergio, Paddy and Westwood played poorly last time, as well as the Americans against them were great, IMO, the reason we lost. Faldo with his idividual manner at times, pressed all the right buttons, it just didn’t come off that time. He got the blame, when in reality, those 3 played average golf that week.
well of course – you had not chance against the “pod” system – had nothing to do with the Americans playing well – it was all Azinger and the system (lol)
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
So true, that
but I’ll never be convinced that the “pod” system won it (if anything, I doubt being put in the “plod pod” was a vote of confidence); just better play by the US.
I agree Wendy
it seemed a bad move whilst they were playing in the States. Having said that, the Euro masters probably thought it tough as they didn’t play over here.
Just occurred to me
I know it wouldn’t have altered the situation this time round, but what if The Barclays had taken a new Euro into the top World Rankings – wouldn’t you want to delay the picks in that case? I agree, Easing, that the 4 knew the score and took their chances – but it seems unneccessary to smack ’em round the face with a wet kipper.
It's the old power struggle between the tours..
The European tour has always tried to blackmail Euro players in the States with the Ryder Cup…when there is strength in depth, they can to some degree. They couldn’t in the old days, when Faldo was in the States, he was too big to be left out. Casey deserved it on play, but probably lost out to Harrington on the major count.
Follow the money
The announcement was sponsored by Johnny Walker – they paid a lot of money to have it attached to the end of their tournament.
Eas – don’t you think there are a lot of Europeans that agree with the idea of taking European Tour players, or in Luke Donald’s case, guys who are willing to take time away from the PGA Tour schedule to play a few weeks on the Euro Tour ? (winning didn’t hurt, either)
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
In the old days
you can be sure players like Torrance and James, 2 talented players who lacked the guts and commitment ( Greg Normans words …and I agree ) to win majors, resented Faldo and Seve for getting appearance money to play in Europe in the 80’s, even though it boosted the purses then and therefore made to two of them very rich, also resented the fact that Faldo received a few picks whilst competing in America. There was mutterings trying to get him to play more in Europe so he could earn his spot, but of course, he was too good to leave out. The so called lower tier of players who stay in Europe want that selection from the European tour so they can get in. James took the opportunity to get his revenge when he omitted Faldo from his team in ’99…as poor as his form was, he was a better pick than Colthart, whom James never played untill the singles….and got trashed by Woods. Everyone today knows the selection process, I would only add that the 4 who were playing the Fed ex knew the score and Casey has admitted he should have played in Europe more to ensure he qualified out of right. Money and points in the Fed ex ? Casey is already rich beyond his wildest dreams. I have no sympathy for him on this one.
I agree with you – but don’t you think that the European talent pool is MUCH deeper today than it was back in Faldo’s day ? Casey isn’t exactly lighting the world on fire, no matter what his ranking says. He got hot last year and the two year rankings still reflect that. Casey is a terrific player, but I’m with you – there are others ready to play who will have more backing from the European crowds.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
In his defense
there were some pretty serious injuries – and I think he played more Euro tournaments than Harrington (?), but in the end, his own fault for not qualifying. The team is the team and I’m pretty happy with them.
Harrington or Casey,
and as with last time, Poulter or Clarke, I’m happy with them. performing that week is another matter…we will see ..1st week in October…our American cousins might find it a bit cold.. I think we will win.
I think our Euros have become fair weather players now
unlike you and me, Easing. Never mind – I just love the whole thing & don’t agree that it’s “just an exhibition match”.
The more they play in the US
the more fair weather they will be..One of my reasons as to why we need a world tour. I’m with you on the RC…but sometimes Torrance ranting on about it really annoys me, lol.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Have a golf story tip? Contact editor Charles Boyer and he will follow the story! Thanks!
Related FanPosts on Waggle Room
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
