I trust that the effect of this match will be to influence a cordial, friendly and peaceful feeling throughout the whole civilized world... I look upon the Royal and Ancient game as being a powerful force that influences the best things in humanity.
Samuel Ryder
The third Sunday of September in 2002 Paul McGinley holed a tricky putt on the eighteenth green of The Brabazon course to seal a European Ryder Cup victory at The Belfry. Repeating a scene over a decade previously when Christy O’Connor Jnr struck the green with a sweet fairway iron to help defeat an all-powerful USA team in 1989. The reward for McGinley was a forced visit into the lake courtesy of his overjoyed team mates. As well as the start of a long-term relationship with Ryder Cup trophy which continues into 2014.
His sporting ethics typifying all his appearances, particularly in his third Ryder Cup at The K Club in 2006, when on the final green he conceded a putt to JJ Henry after the overjoyed crowd made it difficult for the American to enjoy much needed silence. And the added distraction of a male streaker. A point that would have set a record for Europe at the time. But as McGinley said afterwards, it was a gesture done in the right spirit.
One that Henry appreciated also. "I think it shows really what the spirit of this competition is all about," Henry said. "What a gentleman, obviously." Clearly that spirit remains part of his ethos and has formed the backdrop to his captaincy. No doubt it will become more obvious during the four days at Gleneagles in a few weeks.
All very apparent too when he announced his wild cards at Wentworth this week.
Always a difficult task and one that can set the tone for the Ryder Cup captaincy whether playing at home or away. As Nick Faldo can vouch when his team travelled to Valhalla in 2008 as they had lost some momentum following his wild card choices. Or a failure to meet the media’s expectation’s. As indeed Mark James learned at Brookline Country Club in Boston in 1999 when he left out Bernhard Langer and Faldo in favour of Andrew Coltart. History recalls the rest and those two events go down as avoidable loses in some peoples view.
No doubt McGinley has learned about the good, the bad and the ugly of these biannual events. Having also never suffered defeat as a player as he was on the winning sides in 2002, 2004 in Oakland Hills and in his homeland at The K Club two years later. Also undefeated as a vice captain in 2010 at Celtic Manor under Colin Montgomerie and at Medinah two years ago with Jose Maria Olazabal. Now faced with his own captaincy the competitive Dubliner will not contemplate anything less than retaining the trophy when his team take on the USA north of Hadrian’s Wall.
In his favour is a team packed with talent, experience and ability to meet the USA players on any given day. His three wildcards will slot in perfectly alongside the automatic qualifiers with only Stephen Gallacher the Ryder Cup rookie. With no whiff of sulphur about his choices and no sign of anything bit positive vibes.
In fact the manner of his explanations to the media of his chalices highlight a well thought out team, where former 2002 captain, Sam Torrance and 2006 Vice-Captain, Des Smyth, would have proved valuable. It would haven been no surprise either to see Bernhard Langer as part of his backroom team either. Or Ian Woosnam or Montgomerie. But in the end he has given three time major winner Padraig Harrington, a lifelong friend alongside whom he has fought many a four ball and foursomes, that role.
Such is the atmosphere to this group that once again the backroom expands now that precedent has been set in 2100 when Monty included Sergio Garcia – who had seen his playing form fail badly that year. With a large photo of Seve Ballesteros undoubtedly set to adorn the wall of the European team room. that indefatigable Seve spirit sees the inclusion of Miguel Angel Jimenez and Jose Maria Olazabal. Who two years ago carved out that Miracle at Medinah with Jimenez first Vice Captain with Seve in 1997 at Valderrama. Another epic four day battle – with the added wind and torrential rain - which saw Europe squeeze out a result as darkness fell on the third Sunday in September.
Into that cauldron steps Stephen Gallacher. A rookie only in name having been molded after years of knowledge about Samuel Ryder by his uncle Bernard. Multiple times a player and European Ryder Cup captain.
The added comfort of playing so close to home, during a time of the Scottish Independence referendum will add to the Braveheart spirit regardless of the poll’s outcome. And a good choice by the three wise men to include him. Even simply based on current form if nothing else. An issue which affected US teams for a long time as they were selected over a two seasons and often causing problems for players out form once the Ryder Cup came about. A protocol which they have now altered.
With Gallacher playing so well this season, and just missing out on his own merits it was another good decision by Captain McGinley. The loss of Luke Donald was tough – even if inevitable.
The pain etched on McGinley’s brow as he explained his decision was very visible. A part of the captaincy that is dreaded moment no doubt, especially when it comes down to those tight final margins. Followed by tough phone calls.
Ironically this time all three in question had mediocre seasons by their own standards in the US, and so their Ryder Cup records where the biggest influence might have been a factor. In the end Ian James Poulter and Lee Westwood searched for some form over the past weeks and did enough to suggest that a tough week in Scotland was not beyond them. It was also the Magic at Medinah that swung it for Poulter, making it the third time he has travelled on a captain's ticket.
For Westwood that opening round of 65 to lead the first day of the PGA Championship at Valhalla that reignited his chances. Even though in 2008 he only collected one point out of a possible four and was part of Faldo's Kentucky defeat. However under pressure in recent weeks Lee responded and showed that metal that his captain so dearly loves. As a result he earns a ninth Ryder cup appearance.
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