posted Jan 14, 2009

Oli should turn it down. He has publically stated he thinks he can get his fitness back and become a competative player again. He should focus on that chance as it may be his last before his illness gets worse. He will be get his change in mid late 40's so why do it now?

If Oli is out of the running then it should go to Sandy. Sandy will get a couple of expereiced vice Captains and that team will do a good job.

Perhaps Sandy is a quiet guy and may not enjoy or shine at the opening cerimony, but Woosie has already prooved thats not too important.

Perhaps Sandy is not an obvious motivator, but Langer is also a quiet guy and people forget he was getting critisised by players and press leading up to the Ryder Cup for not engaging with the players, but he did better than okay.

Sandy deseves it. I think the players have a great respect for him as a player and as a man. The fans and press always liked him.

There are none of the risks that came with Faldo's selection, and for the record most of the risks were realised. Time for the last of the big 5 to complete their Ryder Cup record.

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posted Jan 14, 2009

I'd pick Woosnam for 2010. No way is he out of touch, and I really believe an experienced man as more chance of regaining the cup. Woosnam would have fantastic support on home turf which is a big advantage, as I witnessed with Kenny Perry and JB Holmes when we went out to Kentucky.

Maria Olazabal would be my choice for the captaincy in 2012 in the USA. I think is experience in Kentucky will benefit him, and we may well have a different looking team by then with a few more Spaniards in the pecking order.

Lyle lacks any bite, and I think giving him the captaincy because he's one of the big five is not a good enough reason. The Americans will want to retain the cup and I'm not Lyle will be up for the fight.

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posted Jan 14, 2009

Woosnam??? So it's back to the "old copious drinking, minimum practice but not in the bar!) club" with his old previous captains mates again!! Spare me, anyone but Woosnam. Looking at his picture on this web-site, it would be difficult to get a big enough suit to fit him!

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posted Jan 14, 2009

It might be too cold, wet and windy in wales for Sandy.

Does he release the events in October and not September.

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posted Jan 14, 2009

So Woosnam is carrying some weight - he still won the seniors order of merit.

Oh, Sandy Lyle finished 61st.

"Old copious drinking, minimum practice but not in the bar!" I might have to give it a go.

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posted Jan 14, 2009

he is a bit laid back by appearances
maybe taht will help , and concentrtrate on thre golf instead of the good old yankie
shouting etc etc
hw many americans does it take ot change a light bulb?
answer - 101
one to change the bulb, and 100 to yell and scream when completes the task

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posted Jan 14, 2009

It came to Ireland for the first time recently too. What was the name of that Irish captain again?

Please no-one be in any doubt - I have total respect for all 3 likely candidates. and even for the past Captain!
woosie did a great job in Ireland, and the Irish fans turned out in their droves!
Nick, ran up against a US side playing well, when his guys did not. Throw in some well catalogued strange picks, and his style of captaincy that just did not work (on this occaision), and we lost.
Lets hope we win next time, or damn it - lets just hope to see great golf played by both sides!
It is after all, just a game of Golf!

Olly deserves it, but I for one would prefer to see him playing this time.
And if we discard the reason of giving it out to Europe's big five from our heyday, then why did Wossie get the captaincy in Ireland?

No. Sandy's turn. Its fair. Its logical. The fans will love him regardless of his birthplace. True Golf fans know it to be the right choice!
and that is not to insult those who do not agree with me )

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posted Jan 14, 2009

Strange how the contribution to the Ryder Cup of a player, seems to automatically qualify him for captain. This is not the case. A good captain must obviously understand the Ryder Cup and matchplay, but he has to have other qualities as well. Such as psychological and team-building capacity.

Hal Sutton may have been a great player, but in 2004 where the **** did he pick up the idea that he could pair Woods & Mickelson in a foursome ? Same for Faldo: great player, great analyst, great teacher, great promotor of the game. But also maybe a touch too rigid or self-conscious to be the exceptional captain that Europe needed to beat USA.

For the same reason, Sandy Lyle does not do it for me. Too self-conscious. Olazabal is a better choice, but may be relying too much on his own spirit and too little on the team to do the job.

Woosnam seems the perfect candidate. Old enough to have the respect of the team, young enough to know the guys, disciplined enough to get the team on a high and relaxed enough to just let the flow go.

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posted Jan 14, 2009

Sandy Lyle is too self conscious?

.............
Er, the same player that around 7 years ago had a 5 second pause at the top of his backswing? A man who made such a radical (freak show)swing change could certainly not be too self conscious.
Some people, just don't like or can't accept his reserved manner and see it as a weakness.

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posted Jan 18, 2009

if europe are losing after 9 holes will lyle think of an excuse and tell the players to walk off?

a lot of people lost respect for lyle when he walked out of the open, he has done a lot for the game but i think that will go against him

olazabal & monty can still play their way into the team and if they dont make it they can be vice captains. There is no outstanding candidate so woosie is the only logical choice.

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