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Sandy Lyle Says Colin Montgomerie Cheated in 2005

Ryan Wilson — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 09:55:00 EST

Scotland's Sandy Lyle has something countryman Colin Montgomerie doesn't -- a major victory. But Monty, who had a firm grip on the Best Player to Never Win a Major crown until age and Sergio Garcia caught up with him, beat out Lyle for the 2010 Ryder Cup captaincy. Small consolation, perhaps, but also a nod to the fact that he was Europe's best player the last two decades.

Throughout his career, Montgomerie has been known as much for his robot-like consistency as he was for his raging case of between-shots rabbit ears. Notorious for glaring into galleries, now he's having to deal with accusations from his colleagues. Interestingly, it's Lyle doing the finger-pointing.

Via ESPN.com's Jason Sobel, Lyle, the 1988 Masters winner, accused Monty of cheating in 2005. For those of you unfamiliar with the genteel nature of the sport, or the gentlemen who uphold the rules, that's tantamount to accusing, say, Sammy Sosa or Mark McGwire of taking steroids, making it into a dog and pony show and calling it a congressional hearing, then sullying their reputation and their Hall of Fame chances. But worse.

To the details:

When asked whether walking off the course after just 10 holes at Royal Birkdale during the opening round of last year's Open due to the cold conditions may have cost him the job, Lyle invoked a 2005 incident in which many players accused Monty of bending the rules after a weather delay at the Indonesia Open.

"That is far worse than someone pulling out because of sore knuckles," Lyle said on Monday at Turnberry, site of this week's Open. "You have Monty dropping the ball badly -- that's what you would call a form of cheating. If anything was going to be held against Monty, you would think, 'Yeah, well that's a case where he was breaking the rules.' And there have been other times where he has been called in to see videos."

Specifically, in a tournament in Jakarta, Monty allegedly improved his lie in a bunker after a suspension of play. Rules officials said he had done nothing wrong, and that was that (Monty even donated his winnings to charity). Until Open Championship week, anyway.

Prior to Lyle's comments, Montgomerie was asked about the possibility of naming Lyle as vice captain for the '10 Ryder Cup.

"Good question ... I met with Sandy yesterday, we had a chat. And I haven't decided as to who or what, depending on who makes the team and who doesn't make the team, and we'll select that vice captain sometime during the qualification system. But I haven't made up my mind."

And, who knows, maybe that hasn't changed. Monty is familiar with controversy and has a keen knack for getting past perceived slights. Well, unless it's Nick Faldo.

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Japanese golfer Ryo Ishikawa prepares to putt on the green of the 9th hole during a practice round, on July 14, 2009, ahead of the 138th British Open Championship at Turnberry Golf Course in south west Scotland, which begins July 16. AFP PHOTO/Peter Muhly (Photo credit should read PETER MUHLY/AFP/Getty Images)

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Japanese golfer Ryo Ishikawa plays out of the rough on the 9th hole during a practice round, on July 14, 2009, ahead of the 138th British Open Championship at Turnberry Golf Course in south west Scotland, which begins July 16. AFP PHOTO/Peter Muhly (Photo credit should read PETER MUHLY/AFP/Getty Images)

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Kenny Perry of the United States gestures during a press conference during practice for the British Open Golf championship, at the Turnberry golf course, Scotland, Tuesday, July 14, 2009. (AP Photo/Rebecca Naden, PA) ** UNITED KINGDOM OUT NO SALES NO ARCHIVE **

Ryo Ishikawa of Japan takes a shot during practice for the British Open Golf championship, at the Turnberry golf course, Scotland, Tuesday, July 14, 2009. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)

Ryo Ishikawa of Japan prepares a shot during practice for the British Open Golf championship, at the Turnberry golf course, Scotland, Tuesday, July 14, 2009. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)

Padraig Harrington of Ireland, right, signs autographs for fans during practice for the British Open Golf championship, at the Turnberry golf course, Scotland, Tuesday, July 14, 2009. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)

Padraig Harrington of Ireland putts on the 15th green, as Ailsa Craig Island is seen in the background, during practice for the British Open Golf championship, at the Turnberry golf course, Scotland, Tuesday, July 14, 2009. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)

Ryo Ishikawa of Japan takes a shot from the 16th tee during practice for the British Open Golf championship, at the Turnberry golf course, Scotland, Tuesday, July 14, 2009. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)

Sandy Lyle Says Colin Montgomerie Cheated in 2005 originally appeared on Golf FanHouse on Tue, 14 Jul 2009 09:55:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bethpage Black Ryder Cup Faces Logistical Obstacles

Ryan Wilson — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 10:55:00 EST

Filed under: PGA, Ryder Cup

Last week, after five rain-soaked golf-crazed days at Bethpage Black, Lucas Glover emerged as the 109th U.S. Open champion. This is noteworthy for a number of reasons: Glover had missed his three previous Open cuts, Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson -- for different reasons, the two most popular guys on tour -- didn't add to their major totals, and, finally, the fans.

It wasn't your typical outside-the-ropes golf experience, even by U.S. Open standards. But that's what made it different, special (for the most part, anyway). And after the tournament, it prompted Mickelson to suggest that Bethpage would be a perfect venue for a future Ryder Cup.

"The people here are incredible ... the course is terrific, because 16, 17 and 18 are so close together. And the way the fans are, I think we would have a big advantage."

As Bacon pointed out, the Ryder Cup sites are set until 2024, when Lefty will be 54 and Tiger will be 49, so even if Bethpage Black lands the event, the only way Phil will get to participate is if he's the captain. But according to Newsday's Mark Herrmann, that's not the only obstacle to bringing the Ryder Cup to Farmingdale.

... [T]here are other huge hurdles, such as navigating the sensitive terrain between the U.S. Golf Association, which holds the U.S. Open, and the PGA of America (not to be confused with the PGA Tour). ...

Because the process of negotiating for major championships is so intense and time-consuming, courses usually choose to get comfortable with only one of the two big American organizations. The USGA and PGA were in a tug of war over Whistling Straits in Wisconsin. The PGA won. Baltusrol, Hazeltine (site of the PGA Championship this year) and Medinah all are former U.S. Open sites that now are in the PGA fold. Pebble Beach, Oakmont and Shinnecock Hills are USGA stalwarts.

Jumping back and forth across the line is not easy, albeit not impossible. Winged Foot hosted several U.S. Opens, then the 1997 PGA, then the 2006 Open. Whether it would be worth it for Bethpage to try to walk both sides of the street is something for the state to answer.

So while there are political complications, Bethpage isn't an impossibility. It's just that the faces representing the sport will have changed a lot in 15 years. Still, Julius Mason, senior director of communications for the PGA of America, joked to Herrmann that it would be such an advantage for the United States, it almost wouldn't be fair to Europeans. It's just too bad Colin Montgomerie won't be a part of the proceedings to fully appreciate the spectacle.

Bethpage Black Ryder Cup Faces Logistical Obstacles originally appeared on Golf FanHouse on Tue, 30 Jun 2009 10:55:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Phil Mickelson: Bethpage Black an 'Ideal Spot' for Ryder Cup

Shane Bacon — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Ryder Cup

Here is an idea to ponder as the USGA is now working on tearing down all the grandstands at another successful U.S. Open at Bethpage Black -- why not get a Ryder Cup out at the course?

If you think about it, and Phil Mickelson did, it makes perfect sense. It's an amazing golf course that can be played from all sorts of different tees and made to play easy or hard (as we saw, comparably, from 2002 to '09). If the wind blows it's a brute, but if it stays fairly calm and the rough isn't played knee deep, it could yield just about any score.

Mickelson made his case after he tied for second for a record fifth time at the U.S. Open, telling reporters it is the perfect spot for a Ryder Cup in the future.

"The people here are incredible, and I just keep thinking that this is like the ideal spot to hold the Ryder Cup," he said Monday.

"First of all, the course is terrific, because 16, 17 and 18 are so close together. And the way the fans are, I think we would have a big advantage."

That last part might be one of the few reasons Bethpage might not be considered for a Ryder Cup. With the Long Island crowd leaning on the "loud and rowdy" side, the Europeans might be at such a disadvantage it would make the matches almost unfair. Back in '02, crowds were all over Sergio Garcia for his waggles and slow play. This year they even jumped on Tiger Woods for his, get this, use of an umbrella during the rain. If the Cup was there, and fans were allowed to imbibe fittingly throughout the week, it might make the advantage too high for the Americans.

No matter, former Ryder Cup star and double-fist pumper David Duval agreed with Mickelson's novel idea.

Duval concurred. "Now that would be a heck of an idea," he said after tying Mickelson and Ricky Barnes for second place. "It's sure a good enough golf course for it."

With Medinah hosting in 2012, Hazeltine National taking the reigns in 2016 and Whistling Straits the host in 2020, the next available slot for an American course to host would be all the way in 2024, when Mickelson will be 54 and Tiger Woods will be 49, so it will probably be a new wave of Americans to battle the Europeans, but a good idea nonetheless.

Phil Mickelson: Bethpage Black an 'Ideal Spot' for Ryder Cup originally appeared on Golf FanHouse on Tue, 23 Jun 2009 14:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rory McIlroy Calls Ryder Cup 'Exhibition'

Shane Bacon — Thu, 14 May 2009 13:09:00 EST

Filed under: PGA, Ryder Cup

Oh, Rory. Just when you were starting to make people in the golf world gush over your curls and incredibly powerful golf swing, you go and do this. You have the PGA Tour and European Tour giving you whatever you want to play in their events, and you sit around dogging the Ryder Cup, calling it an exhibition. You can't do that because it bothers people. And by people, I mean golfers, and by golfers, I mean Colin Montgomerie.

All 19 years of Rory McIlroy made some comments about the Ryder Cup this week that have rubbed certain people the wrong way.

"The Ryder Cup, it's a great spectacle for golf, but an exhibition at the end of the day and it should be there to be enjoyed," McIlroy said at an Irish Open news conference. "I think if I get on it, you know, you enjoy the week, and if you win or lose, it's a great experience and you move on from it. In the big scheme of things, it's not that important of an event for me."

Doesn't McIlroy know that people flip over the Ryder Cup? Did he not remember when Phil Mickelson made club changes before the 2004 Ryder Cup and everyone bashed him like he was on the set of "Stomp"? Montgomerie, the European captain for the 2010 squad, made a pretty good point about the comments. He said that once Rory is in the moment, his entire thought process will change.

"Rory will understand when; and it's not an if, I'm sure it's when, whether it's this time or next time wherever it might be and he will be a Ryder Cup player and he will understand the pressures involved and the whole scenario of The Ryder Cup will hit him very hard, yes, and he'll understand having not played in it and having not attended The Ryder Cup as yet, in his life, and he'll understand what it's about when he's part of that," Montgomerie said.

The Irish Open is this week and as our perfect world continues to spin out awesomeness, McIlroy and Monty are paired together Thursday and Friday, so I'm sure captain and potential rookie for next year's team could have some heart-to-heart about exactly what an exhibition is. This is an exhibition. This is not.

Rory McIlroy Calls Ryder Cup 'Exhibition' originally appeared on Golf FanHouse on Thu, 14 May 2009 13:09:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Boo Weekley Has a Way With Words

Ryan Wilson — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 23:00:00 EST

Filed under: Golf, PGA, Ryder Cup

I like Boo Weekley. I think he's good for golf in much the same way John Daly was in the early '90s before beer-soaked Twinkies took over his life. Boo's Al Czervik to the PGA Tour's Judge Smails except he's not acting. What you see is what you get. He's Larry the Cable Guy without the shtick.

Which is why this makes perfect sense.

in an interview with The Golf Channel, discussing his trip to the White House as part of the Ryder Cup team, Weekley refers to George W. Bush as the "late president," calls the the AT & T National -- Tiger Woods' Washington, DC-area tournament -- "Tiger's deal up there in Congressional or whatever," and poses this delightful question: "what's that thing that what's his name crawled out from under?" The answer: the president's desk, and John F. Kennedy, Jr.

Added bonus: video footage of Weekley riding his driver like a bucking bronco across the putting green shortly after the United States team had captured the Cup. In the usually staid setting, the spectacle somehow seemed fitting -- and weirder, genuine.

Boo Weekley Has a Way With Words originally appeared on Golf FanHouse on Wed, 04 Feb 2009 23:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Colin Montgomerie Named 2010 European Ryder Cup Captain

Shane Bacon — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 12:59:00 EST

Filed under: Golf, PGA, Ryder Cup

Nice Faldo, step right over there, sir. The Europeans have a new honcho to take over your "captaincy."

Colin Montgomerie, or "Mrs. Doubtfire" to some, was named captain for 2010 on Wednesday, becoming the youngest captain ever for the Euros.

"It's not just an honor but a huge responsibility as well," Colin Montgomerie said Wednesday after being chosen to captain Europe's team for next year's Ryder Cup in Wales. "It is important we do everything we can to claim back the Ryder Cup in Wales in 2010."

Monty was the second most successful European ever in the Ryder Cup, but he hopes his success will be better than that of the most successful: Faldo.

I think after the whupping the Europeans took at the hands of a Tiger Woods-less American team in 2008, this pick was as smart as they come. Montgomerie was in the running with Jose Maria Olazabal, Sandy Lyle and Ian Woosnam, but you have to pick Colin here.

First, the compeition is not only in Europe, but in Wales, next door to Monty's Scotland. People will be pretty riled up for this one all around the U.K.

Second, the team needs a face that one associates with the Ryder Cup. While Monty could never win a major (or even a tournament on American soil), he was as hot as Freida Pinto when it came to these matches. If fans and players are to feel experience and passion from one person, Monty is it.

Third, maybe if he coaches this team to a win, that guy that wouldn't paint him will paint him now. Bonus!

Colin Montgomerie Named 2010 European Ryder Cup Captain originally appeared on Golf FanHouse on Wed, 28 Jan 2009 12:59:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cory Pavin Is the New Paul Azinger

Shane Bacon — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 13:19:00 EST

Filed under: Golf, PGA, Ryder Cup

Here is news that will make 5-foot-9 guys all around the world more excited than entry on a scary roller coaster -- Corey Pavin, picture above in what is being called the most awkward photo of 2008, is the new United States Ryder Cup captain.

Some probably thought Paul Azinger, Captain Zero to Hero at this years matches, would be back to captain the United States in 2010. He did a fantastic job not only captaining during the week but nearly a year before, changing some of the out of date rules. Azinger did not get a second chance, even after saying he'd be interested in staying around.

Others thought Fred Couples, American golf hero and stand up guy would take the reins for the coming years. Couples had success at the Ryder Cup and has always been a helpful addition to any coaches slew of assistants. Freddy did not.

In 2010, you will get your Pavin fill.

He isn't a bad pick by any means, just surprising. Pavin won the 1995 U.S. Open, along with 14 other PGA Tour tournaments, and had an 8-5-0 record as a Ryder Cup player.

As much as a captain can't go out and hit the shots, a good one does a lot for a team and a bad one (see Faldo, Nick) can kill your chances and ruin team morale. I'm not saying Pavin won't be good or great, but I think Azinger deserved another shot at captaining this team.

That or just have John Daly do it. I promise he won't allow a lot of cameras during team meetings.

Cory Pavin Is the New Paul Azinger originally appeared on Golf FanHouse on Thu, 11 Dec 2008 13:19:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nick Faldo Would Consider European Ryder Cup Captain's Gig for 2010

Ryan Wilson — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 15:06:00 EST

Filed under: Golf, PGA, Ryder Cup

Nick Faldo is obviously insane. There are any number of reasons to think so, the latest being his admission that he'd happily reprise his role of European Ryder Cup captain following what happened at Valhalla a few months back.

After leading the Euros to defeat (and handily, I might add), Faldo is eager for more. Hmm, sounds like a horrible idea, particularly since he was roundly criticized for his efforts.

I suspect others' opinions don't phase Faldo -- he was never Britain's most popular player (or close to it, really), despite winning six majors. So this probably won't change his opinion either: Ian Poulter, the same guy Faldo named to the '08 Ryder Cup squad amid some controversy, feigns indifference about the prospects of Faldo returning in '10:

"I wouldn't see it as a bad thing," Poulter said when asked whether Faldo deserved another crack after being in charge of this year's losing team in Kentucky. "Nick, if he gets the position, would certainly learn from what happened this time and I'm sure he would do a few things differently.

"I'm sure he's made his own notes from how the week went. The good stuff, I'm sure he'll take positives from and the bad stuff, I'm sure he will learn if he could have done them any differently." ... "I'm only a player," he said. "I don't think it's to my advantage to comment on what he could have done better.

Poulter's right, it's not to his advantage to point out that Faldo sat the team's two best players -- Sergio Garcia and Lee Westwood -- on Saturday, and seemed out of his element for most of the weekend. But, hey, if Paul Azinger is willing to consider a comeback, might as well let Faldo be part of the re-enactment as well.

Nick Faldo Would Consider European Ryder Cup Captain's Gig for 2010 originally appeared on Golf FanHouse on Sun, 23 Nov 2008 15:06:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sergio Garcia Doesn't Blame Nick Faldo for Europe's Ryder Cup Showing

Ryan Wilson — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 13:25:00 EST

Filed under: Golf, PGA, Ryder Cup

Most of us have moved on from the American Ryder Cup victory last week, but I'm sure European captain Nick Faldo is still smarting from the U.S. upset, as well as the media dressing down that followed.

If there's a bright spot -- other not having to ignore Colin Montgomerie's phone calls now that the Cup is over -- it's that Sergio Garcia, arguably Europe's best player, has his captain's back.

Sergio Garcia leapt to the defence of unsuccessful European Ryder Cup captain Nick Faldo on Saturday, describing harsh criticism of the Englishman in newspapers this week as horrendous. ...

"Fortunately, [the Ryder Cup] happens only once every two years in golf but it happens all the time in football back at home. When a team loses, it's always the coach's fault.

"They never pick on the players like they should or give enough credit to the other team like they should."

To be fair, I've done my part to make sure the players catch hell for various absurdities. Whatever, Garcia's saying the right things even if his words don't hold true. Granted, Faldo struck gold with one of his captain's selections, Ian Poulter, but his strategery played a huge role in the outcome.

Sitting Garcia and Lee Westwood during the Saturday morning matches, and then sending out three of his best players late in Sunday's singles matches all contributed to the Americans winning the Cup for the first time in nine years.

Of course, Boo Weekley, J.B. Holmes and Hunter Mahan playing out of their minds all had something to do with it, too.

Sergio Garcia Doesn't Blame Nick Faldo for Europe's Ryder Cup Showing originally appeared on Golf FanHouse on Sun, 28 Sep 2008 13:25:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Anthony Kim Explains Why He 'Body-Checked' Ian Poulter During Ryder Cup

Ryan Wilson — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 13:15:00 EST

Filed under: Golf, PGA, Ryder Cup

Last week, after the Ryder Cup made its way back into American hands for the first time in nine years, the Europeans commenced with the whinging. Lee Westwood was first up, complaining about Boo Weekley's unseemly on-course actions, and then Ian Poulter, who was one of the few bright spots for Nick Faldo in the three-day event, accused Anthony Kim of body-checking him during last Saturday's fourball match.

Apparently, it did happen, just not as Poulter contends.

"I wasn't even paying attention and I looked up and Ian had just bounced off me," said Kim, who helped the US to their first Ryder Cup win since 1999.

"I didn't even see him, to be honest. I'm a lot shorter than he is, so I'm not going to throw my elbow into him," he added.

"I wasn't out there to bump anybody. That's not the spirit of the Ryder Cup. This isn't football. I'm sorry he took it personally."

Kim added, "I finally tracked down Poulter during the closing ceremonies, walked up to him and slapped him in the face with an open hand. I said, 'See, THAT was on purpose; the forearm shiver yesterday, THAT was an accident. Got it?'" Kim then walked away and Poulter promptly collapsed in a heap and sobbed uncontrollably.*

Back on Earth, no clue if Poulter ever got word that Kim's actions were, in fact, an accident, but I'm quite certain he was over the whole affair as soon as he settled into that comfy salon chair to have those tips re-frosted.

* Fiction. Duh.

Anthony Kim Explains Why He 'Body-Checked' Ian Poulter During Ryder Cup originally appeared on Golf FanHouse on Sat, 27 Sep 2008 13:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Montgomerie Wants Europe to Change to Four Captain's Picks As Well

Shane Bacon — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 13:45:00 EST

Filed under: Golf, PGA, Ryder Cup

In the wake of the European Ryder Cup loss, a lot has been said about Nick Faldo's approach to the captaincy. That is, he sucked at it.

Now four days removed from the Cup, Ryder Cup snub Colin Montgomerie is calling for a change in the European system, most notably adding four captain's picks instead of two.

"I think Paul Azinger was very strong to go to the U.S. PGA and demand a change," Montgomerie said. "Having lost five of the past six Ryder Cups, a change had to be made for their setup and I'm sure that change will remain for the next captain. I think that for the future, eight and four is the way to go."

The "change" Monty talks about is what allowed Azinger to pick four guys for the team instead of two, most notably J.B. Holmes and Hunter Mahan, who combined for a 4-0-4 record. The point of the change was to allow the American team to pick from a larger pool, not subjecting the captain to a handful of players on the top of their game come Ryder Cup time and only two to choose from.
Montgomerie went on to take the smallest of jabs at Faldo, who left him off the team for the first time in eight straight Ryder Cup appearances.

British media fiercely have criticized Faldo after the United States' win at Valhalla in Louisville, Ky., especially for placing top players Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood and Padraig Harrington at the bottom of the Europeans' singles order.

While Montgomerie would not be drawn into criticizing Faldo, he said he would have liked to see a different singles lineup.

"If those three were playing higher in the order, they would 100% have been included in the final shakeup of what happened," he said.

I guess hindsight is 20/20 but I'm pretty sure at that point nothing would have changed the outcome. The Ryder Cup was lost the first two days when the Americans played great and Faldo made some questionable coaching decisions regarding his teams.

Montgomerie probably has a lot things to say about Faldo but I'm sure that list wouldn't make my AOL bosses very happy.

Montgomerie Wants Europe to Change to Four Captain's Picks As Well originally appeared on Golf FanHouse on Thu, 25 Sep 2008 13:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Boo Weekley Talks Philosophy, Rides His Driver Like a Bucking Bronco

Ryan Wilson — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 13:45:00 EST

Filed under: Golf, PGA, Ryder Cup

Lee Westwood might not have cared much for Boo Weekley's homespun pearls of ... well, something, but Kentuckians embraced the Florida native as one of their own, and after an impressive Ryder Cup showing, the guy who once got "Deebo-ed" by an orangutan is now a media fascination, as well.

It's all very entertaining in a peeking-through-your-fingers-at-the-freak-show sorta way.

In any event, the Los Angeles Times' Thomas Bonk documents some of Boo's best redneck philosophizing from last week. It's not exactly Descartes, but Weekley's take on his Ryder Cup uni could be the 21st century's "cogito ergo sum." Or something:

"I can tell you right now, these pants I've got on are probably the most expensive thing I've ever owned. ... These things here, they felt like a pair of silk underwear when you're ready to go hunting. They're unreal."

On the new-look U.S. Ryder Cup team: "It's like getting a new pack of hounds when we were growing up and going deer hunting. You don't know what kind of dogs you've got until you run them, so let's run them and see."

On how he would rate a clutch bunker shot in his top 10: "I would say nine, I done got eight holes in one that are better."

On straddling his driver and pretending to ride it like a horse down the first fairway: "It's just my nature to be a little goofy."

Yeah, just a little. You know, maybe Westwood was onto something.

Boo prancing around in all his white-socked glory via The Golf Blog

Boo Weekley Talks Philosophy, Rides His Driver Like a Bucking Bronco originally appeared on Golf FanHouse on Thu, 25 Sep 2008 13:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paul Azinger Meticulously Planned for Ryder Cup While Boo Weekley Battled Orangutans

Ryan Wilson — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 18:45:00 EST

Filed under: Golf, PGA, Ryder Cup

There are plenty of people who think that the Ryder Cup captaincy is nothing more than a glorified cheerleader with a nifty earpiece and a golf cart. In general, I don't disagree with this point of view.

Paul Azinger, the U.S. captain, feels differently, I'd think. He was instrumental in last weekend's outcome and spent almost two years laying the groundwork for one of the best American performances in well over a decade. (Yeah, I know, '99 was AWESOME, but, if we're being honest, the U.S. really had no business winning at Brookline.)

[The U.S.] celebrated as a team of 12 following a week in which they were three teams of four.

It was an intriguing concept that Azinger spent nearly two years cooking up. He built his team by doing personality profiles of three dozen potential players and grouping them accordingly.

The aggressive personalities were Kim, Phil Mickelson, Justin Leonard and Hunter Mahan. The "Kentucky" group featured Kenny Perry, J.B. Holmes and Weekley (a Southerner) along with Jim Furyk, the misfit of the group who provided leadership. The emotionally quiet featured Steve Stricker, Ben Curtis, Stewart Cink and Chad Campbell.

They stuck together for three days of practice. Pairings came only from inside their "pod."

Azinger gave them ownership of their group, building team spirit within small groups. But it went beyond the players. He also assigned an assistant captain to each group -- Raymond Floyd got the aggressive bunch, Olin Browne had the Southern group and Dave Stockton was with the other pod.

The AP also reports that during the closing ceremonies (a buffet in the team room), the Americans serenaded the Euros to a rousing rendition of "'Ole, Ole, Ole, Ole,' the European soccer song they had heard while losing the previous three times." I can only imagine that Lee Westwood was not impressed.

Not sure how to segue from that to this so I'll just point out this nugget from the post-match partying:

Just as captain Paul Azinger promised, the Americans partied into the morning hours after winning the Ryder Cup.

Egged on by his teammates, Boo Weekley told the story of the time he was a teenager in the Florida Panhandle and paid $5 on 10-to-1 odds that he could land a punch against an orangutan. Weekley finally regained consciousness in the back of a pickup truck.

"That was hilarious," Anthony Kim said. "I could hear that story 100 times and keep laughing."

That sounds about right.

Paul Azinger Meticulously Planned for Ryder Cup While Boo Weekley Battled Orangutans originally appeared on Golf FanHouse on Wed, 24 Sep 2008 18:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lee Westwood Is Sorry for All the Whinging

Ryan Wilson — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:47:00 EST

Filed under: Golf, PGA, Ryder Cup

Lee Westwood spent much of the Ryder Cup doing one of three things: losing, sitting, or whinging about losing or sitting. Specifically, Westwood, one of Europe's best Ryder Cup players -- at least historically -- berated America's Boo Weekley for his redneck antics, as well as some Valhalla patrons who made a few "your mama" jokes and prank called his parents at their hotel room. Scandalous, indeed.

Apparently, Westwood really didn't mean what he said. Or, at the very least, he meant it, but he now wishes he hadn't verbalized it because it makes him look like a crybaby.

"A lot of what I said in Valhalla during and after the Ryder Cup didn't come out quite as I intended and finished up sounding like sour grapes," Westwood said in the statement released by his management company.

"So let me say right now that I applaud America's victory, Paul Azinger's captaincy in general and the vast majority of the watching public who witnessed a titanic struggle between two very good sides.

"I regret that I singled out a small minority of the crowd who had a go at me and my family during competition days because far and away the greater majority were impeccably behaved and got right behind their team as did the excellent European supporters."

See, not all Kentuckians are hillbillies. Okay, they are, but Westwood was still out of order with all the bellyaching, and he seems to understand as much.

He also said that "My comments about the hecklers and Paul's geeing up the crowd before the event were in no way intended to be an excuse or the words of an ungracious loser because the American team performed brilliantly and fully deserved to win," before adding, "even Boo, quite possibly the biggest clown ever to escape the circus."*

Apology accepted, Lee. Now all that's left is for Ian Poulter to issue an apology for accusing Anthony Kim of roughing him up between holes.

* didn't really say that last bit there

Lee Westwood Is Sorry for All the Whinging originally appeared on Golf FanHouse on Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:47:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Post-Ryder Cup Live Chat, 1PM -- Because Making Fun of Nick Faldo Never Gets Old

Ryan Wilson — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 12:55:00 EST

Filed under: Golf, PGA, Ryder Cup

So, um, now what? The Americans won the Ryder Cup, Nick Faldo is taking a beating in the British rags, and Tiger Woods has been rendered obsolete. At least when it comes to team events.

There's still plenty to talk about in the wake of the Biggest Story in Recent Golf History* and there's the anti-climatic Tour Championship to go before putting a wrap on the 2008 season.

We'll cover it all today at 1PM EST.

* And by "recent" I obviously mean "since Tiger won the U.S. Open, and Paddy Harrington won back-to-back majors."

Post-Ryder Cup Live Chat, 1PM -- Because Making Fun of Nick Faldo Never Gets Old originally appeared on Golf FanHouse on Wed, 24 Sep 2008 12:55:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Some Ryder Cup Patron Made 'Foul References' About Lee Westwood's Mum

Ryan Wilson — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Golf, PGA, Ryder Cup

It took nine years, but the Americans have finally won back the Ryder Cup, a feat that, frankly, not many people were expecting a week ago. But Paul Azinger, the U.S. captain, is a wily sort, or, at the very least, had the great fortune of going up against one of the worst captains in recent Cup history.

Nick Faldo, a six-time major winner quite possibly known more for really loving himself, made several curious decisions during the three-day event (and several prior -- like leaving Darren Clarke and Colin Montgomerie at home), and that had a lot to do with the outcome.

But Azinger, and perhaps, more importantly, the fans who flocked to Valhalla to support the American side, also played a huge role.

The "home-field advantage" played a giant role this weekend...

On the eve of the event, Azinger told a rally crowd in Louisville not to be afraid to cheer if the Europeans missed a putt, as long as the missed putt secured an American victory at that particular hole. Garcia was witness to the obedient response. After Garcia rinsed a pair of shots into the water and conceded the seventh hole, he walked 200 yards to the green listening to bedlam with Kim pleading for the crowds to cheer louder.

"We created the 13th man, and I'm real proud of these people," Azinger said. "They made a big difference and kept our guys energized."

Too big a difference if you ask Lee Westwood, who, in addition to whinging about Boo Weekley's bush-league tactics, also called some fans "shameful" for their antics. Apparently, there was a "foul reference about his mother before he his a tee shot, and a nuisance telephone call to his room in the wee hours before the final round," writes the Sun-Sentinel.

Look, I'm not condoning "your mama" jokes -- not so much because they're rude, but because they quit being funny somewhere around the third grade -- but does it even make sense to bellyache about it at this point in the proceedings?

If Westwood had the jerk thrown off the property at the time, I would've been fine with it, but now, given how things played out on the course, Westwood looks like a big, whiny baby. Let it go, dude. Or else head-butt the guy in the chest. One or the other, though.

Some Ryder Cup Patron Made 'Foul References' About Lee Westwood's Mum originally appeared on Golf FanHouse on Wed, 24 Sep 2008 12:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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British Media Happily Teeing Off on Nick Faldo

Ryan Wilson — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 19:15:00 EST

Filed under: Golf, PGA, Ryder Cup

First, I'd like to apologize to the European Ryder Cup team. Not for Anthony Kim allegedly welcoming Ian Poulter to Kentucky, or the pranksters that rung Lee Westwood's folks at the hotel (By the way, just a thought, but ever heard of checking in under an assumed name? It's outside the box, I know, but it's just crazy enough to work.) but because they had to play for the egomaniacal nutter, Nick Faldo.

It's not like Faldo suddenly became a media whipping boy; he's been at odds with the British press, as well as most of his European counterparts, his entire professional career. And now, it's raining schadenfreude in the United Kingdom. And while we have yet to hear from Colin Montgomerie or Darren Clarke, two Ryder Cup veterans who Faldo left off this year's team, the media have more than picked up the slack.

"Faldo's thin skin, the need to have his sports shrink by his side even out on the course and his grating sense of humor, had confirmed what we knew all along, which is that he is no natural leader," the said. "But what we had not expected was that a man who had dedicated himself so much to this job would make such a colossal mistake."

So, um, yeah, let's hang Faldo in effigy! Or something.

I suspect the British media were quite happy with the outcome of the 37th Ryder Cup, and if the Euros had retained the cup, the coverage would've been muted, probably some form of "they were supposed to win it; Faldo just didn't screw things up."

As it turned out, Faldo did screw things up, although, to his credit, Poulter played incredibly well when he wasn't unbunching his panties, and Oliver Wilson and Henrik "Stevenson" earned a big-at-the-time point over Phil Mickelson and "Bruiser" during the Saturday morning foursomes. The European captain was bashed for sending Poulter, Graeme McDowell and Padraig Harrington out late during Sunday singles, virtually guaranteeing that they wouldn't factor into the finish should the Americans jump out to an early lead.

"Faldo's gamble on the big finish ... left Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood and Padraig Harrington, thrashing at thin air, their legs amputated by a hopelessly incontinent ego," the Times said.

The Telegraph said the Valhalla fallout would leave Faldo "about to pay the price of a lifetime of self serving, of devotion to the cult of the individual."

A lot of people have been anxiously awaiting this moment, it seems.

British Media Happily Teeing Off on Nick Faldo originally appeared on Golf FanHouse on Mon, 22 Sep 2008 19:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Poulter Claims Kim Hit Him With His Shoulder, Westwood Complains About Prank Calls

Shane Bacon — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 18:29:00 EST

Filed under: Golf, PGA, Ryder Cup

The Ryder Cup is one of the only events in golf where you can really mess with someone's psyche. Stories of players jangling change in their pockets, or staring their opponents down do happen, and it even gets to the point where not conceding a short putt is tactical.

Ian Poulter is claiming one American player, who wasn't identified by the Englishmen but was noted as Anthony Kim, ran into him with his shoulder during Saturday's fourball match.

Cameras caught a collision between the two players as Poulter walked out of a tee box. Kim wasn't playing in the fourballs, but decided to walk the course as a spectator and was a boisterous presence as he cheered on Kenny Perry and Jim Furyk in their close fourball tussle with Poulter and Graeme McDowell.

"As opposed to walking around me as I was walking off the tee, he decided to drop his right shoulder into me," related Poulter. "You don't need that when you're playing. It's not what you'd expect from a fellow professional." Footage shows Poulter remonstrating with Kim shortly afterwards. Kim's energy, and his crushing victory over Sergio Garcia in Sunday's singles match, have been praised by the US press as vital to the team's victory.

First, I have yet to see any evidence of this happening. If cameras did catch this, it probably would be all over the Internet and since we haven't seen it yet it probably was unintentional. If it is true, I actually kinda like it. It wasn't like he was trying to hurt Poulter by running into him, and a little bump here or there is pretty awesome. I'm sure if Kim had gone up to Team Visor and slapped him in his teeth, something would have been done about it, but the fact that this might or might not have been a bump that might or might not have been intentional is hardly something to preach to the media about.

Poulter, you lost. I'm sorry buddy but it happened, and rather convincingly. It obviously had nothing to do with your spectacular play all week, but most of the time, if you lose something, you should probably just get on that plane and get out of Kentucky as quick as possible.

If it really is getting to you, might I suggest you bump someone next Ryder Cup? How about Tiger Woods? I heard Steve Williams is really accepting of people bullying up his boy.

Also, Lee Westwood, who in his attempt to damn Boo Weekley actually called out the entire country, had some prank calls on Saturday night that he wasn't too happy about. The culprits bypassed the "Prince Albert in a can" joke and the always great "refrigerator running" line for that one about good luck. You know, the one where you call someone and wish him good luck. Yeah, that one. Try it tonight, people get so mad when you call and wish them good luck in an upcoming competition. Boy, does that get my chili a-boiling!

"They were trying to ring me but called the wrong hotel and got the wrong Westwood," he said. "It really upset my dad's preparations for walking around the course! I also got a phone call at 12:30am wishing me good luck. I must be taking on the Monty role. Let's pick on the old guy with a few grey hairs!"

And I thought we were a country full of whiners.

Poulter Claims Kim Hit Him With His Shoulder, Westwood Complains About Prank Calls originally appeared on Golf FanHouse on Mon, 22 Sep 2008 18:29:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ratings Up For The First Time Since Tiger Woods Was Injured

Shane Bacon — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 17:37:00 EST

Filed under: Golf, PGA, Ryder Cup

I guess the American Ryder Cup team can hang their hat on one more accomplishment from this weekend. They made television viewers care about golf again.

NBC, fresh off those off-the-chart Olympic ratings, had another successful sporting event with the Ryder Cup.

According to Sports Business Daily, the network garnered a 3.3 rating and 7 audience share for the Sunday singles, up 22.2% from the Nielsen for the final round in 2006.

This is some accomplishment considering the biggest draw in the sport, Tiger Woods, wasn't in attendance and very rarely came up in conversation. Unlike the PGA Championship and British Open, where it seemed networks spent more time on Tiger packages than of the actual players playing the tournament, NBC focused on the actual play going on and it paid off. Unlike the post-Woods injury, where ratings plummeted like the stock market, people tuned in even with the NFL on other channels.

It also didn't hurt that we saw personalities come out in a sport that is normally reserved to small smiles and hat tips. Who knows, maybe guys like Anthony Kim and Hunter Mahan will start bringing in people even when Tiger is away.

Ratings Up For The First Time Since Tiger Woods Was Injured originally appeared on Golf FanHouse on Mon, 22 Sep 2008 17:37:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Winners and Losers From Ryder Cup Week

Shane Bacon — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 13:09:00 EST

Filed under: Golf, PGA, Ryder Cup

It was a pretty special week for the Americans and just because it is a team event doesn't mean we can't do a Winners and Losers about the Ryder Cup. Lets dive in and check who did some good and who did some bad.

Winners

The Americans -- From the first guy to the last, from Steve Stricker to Jim Furyk, this was a complete team effort and they made sure to do it with some laughs and high fives. Rejuvenated and with a swagger that's been missing the last three matches, the American team made the putts when they needed to, had a good break here or there and even when they slipped up, bounced back on the next hole.

The Six Rookies -- When you have half your team playing in their first ever Ryder Cup, you hold your breath. When they go 9-4-8, you can exhale with a grin. Hunter Mahan gained the most points for Team USA, Anthony Kim pounded Sergio Garcia in singles and Boo Weekley and J.B. Holmes turned out to be an amazing duo. I bet there weren't a lot of people around this world yesterday that had as much fun as those four. Also, Ben Curtis and Stricker weren't all bad, combining for two points over the week.

Ian Poulter -- What more can you say about the captain's pick other than the fact that he won four points, the most of anyone at these matches. He was absolutely unstoppable after his morning loss on Friday, cashing birdies when nobody else on the team seemed to be able to. Also, he looks like a spitting image of the spoiled prince on "Shrek," which has to be good for something.

Paul Azinger -- Slow golf clap for Azinger. Everything he did the past two years seemed to work perfect and all his plans were executed brilliantly. Lee Westwood said, "We hold the clubs and we hit the shots, not the captain," but it sure doesn't hurt when your captain totally nails it.

Golf -- Not in the last 10 years has golf needed a steroid shot more than these injured Tiger Woods days. People have lost interest in the game and have other things to pay attention to besides, yawn, the battle for the FedEx Cup. Having players like Phil Mickelson enjoying themselves in an event he has never enjoyed himself in was a nice change, and plus we got a few new guys out there that aren't necessarily household names. I will say this, when my sister is texting me, "Hunter Mahan is D precious," you know golf hit its way out of this current slump.

Valhalla's 18th -- I knew it was a fun hole, but I never knew it would swing matches that much. We saw people in the water, in the bunker, in the fairway and in the left rough. We had team birdies, team bogeys and whole teams in the drink off the tee. It might be a bit goofy for some, but it sure seemed to be the perfect finishing hole for match play.

Losers

The Big Three -- Padraig Harrington, Garcia, and Westwood were the guys to beat heading to Valhalla, but get beat they did. The three combined for a total of 2.5 points all week, showing that even these guys can miss a putt in the Ryder Cup. If you're going to place blame on a group of individuals, these are probably the ones to do it. For the first time in his life, Garcia was made to look like the old man, surrendering that youthful exuberance during the singles match when Kim raked the bunker with him.

Nick Faldo -- One of his captain's pick, Poulter, showed up in a big way, but Paul Casey was pretty mediocre and did nothing for the team that Colin Montgomerie or Darren Clarke would have if they were the chosen ones. Also, he might have wiggled himself off this list if he hadn't sat Westwood and Garcia on Saturday morning, a team that had a 4-1-1 record before this week. Faldo's attitude before and during the week reminded most why he was never a fan favorite in the States (or in the UK for that matter).

Poulter -- He was great, but the celebration after the 18-inch putt he made for birdie on Saturday was everything the Americans normally get called out for. Fist outstretched, arms tucked, yelling in the direction of his teammates, Poulter looked like he was trying a touch too hard. I've said it before and I'll say it again, you can't look intimidating with frosted tips.

Woods -- I've already read a column in the USA Today that started out, "Who needs Tiger Woods when you have Boo Weekley?" Sigh. Tiger will somehow get bad press about this because he wasn't in attendance for the Americans first victory in the Ryder Cup since 1999, and it will all be without merit. No way this team was better off without Woods, and by saying that you're this guy. The team played great, they won as a group and they probably celebrated late into last night while Woods was on the couch, but no group of golfers is in a better position without the world number one.

Johnny Miller -- First he criticized the captain's picks of Azinger. Then we had to listen to him broadcast the tournament all week. While Miller is normally a change to the always bland golf coverage, match play doesn't seem to be his forte and it was eye-rolling by Sunday. His call on an eight-footer for birdie, "Well, he's either going to make this or get it close," is all you need to know about his performance.

Valhalla's 1st Hole -- Yawn, when are they playing the second hole? Everyone boomed it over the same tree, leaving 70-100 yards in to fairly simple pin positions. Also, if you were above the hole it didn't seem that anyone had a chance of making the putt. The Americans struggled with the hole Friday morning, but after that seemed to get in a groove and play it like the Europeans.

Well, that sure was fun. I've received text messages from people I didn't even know liked golf, including an ex-girlfriend and a buddy asking for a companion for the 2010 Ryder Cup. I think it's fair to say that on this side of the pond, Ryder Cup Fever has officially caught on.

Winners and Losers From Ryder Cup Week originally appeared on Golf FanHouse on Mon, 22 Sep 2008 13:09:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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