Ryder Cup

I can't believe Darren Clarke didn't get the call up in the Ryder Cup team after his recent tour wins, Faldo seemed to have already had his mind made up about Ian Poulter and no matter what Clarke may have done he wasn't making this team. Good luck to the European team I have to wish them all the best, but, I am very dissapointed at Darrens exlusion and feel he was in the form of his life going into the cup.

I can understand your support for a fellow Northern Islander, Pat, but one swallow does not make a summer. Poulter has proved his credentials by his position in the world tables, even better than Caseys, although I think Casey is a great player.

Darren is a great player but he knew the rules for eligibility and was not up to the standard unfortunately. The same applies to Montgomerie. You have one of yours in Graeme McDowell all due to his victory in Scotland.

Well, Pat if it has nothing to do with his nationality, what else are you basing it on. His position on the money list is the only guide we have, not that I feel this is the best way to go.

I would not have complained if Darren had been picked, nor would I if Colin had also got the nod, because I am a great believer in past records when it comes to the Ryder Cup, which is unlike the normal run of the mill strokeplay events.

Unfortunately we have some who have qualified through the money list whom would not have been picked if it were just down to selection.

Poulter may have acted surprised but that was only because of the furore bandied about in the pressabout him playing in the states instead of Gleneagles. He was expecting to be one of the wild cards, I can assure you.

It will be interesting to see who the 4 USA picks are going to be.  Stricker is a near lock and from my hometown in Wisconsin.  Rocco Mediate would add some fun to the match for the USA side because the fans love him. 

I hope that Hunter Mahan does not get a captain's pick because of that BS he spewed about how the Ryder Cup was not fun with all the commitments they have to attend.  What a donkey.

I'd also love to see Garcia and Mickleson go head to head because then ONE of them will not finish second. 

I really would'nt have picked Poulter or Casey over Darren, but I feel it is because they have been playing mostly in the states over the past 2 years, and that is the only reason.

It was always going to cause a debate whoever he picked, thats just the way of the British media! Personally, I think he has made the right two picks if you look at the rest of the team. Casey hits the ball a long way and is a pretty decent matchplay player, in my opinion he was always going to get the pick. With regards to Poulter, I think he gets harshly treated because of the way he is/the stuff he wears. The bottom line is he is a damn good golfer who will give his all for Europe. He is also very good friends with several of the guys in the team which can only be of help in competition. Also think about the way he battled on the last day of the Open.

C'MON E UROPESA

:-) Just had to do this for my team too.

I wouldn't underestimate the Americans, I think that not having Woods there will spur them on more than if he was playing - added incentive to do well without their 'best' player.

Personally, I don't think Clarke or Montgomerie have enough form this year to warrant inclusion despite their Ryder Cup pedigree.  I can see why he picked Poulter, US experience etc: but personally I wouldn't have because I think he's a twat.  I'd have gone off the wall and gone for Ross Fisher or Graham Storm - it would give the yanks a bit of a headache because of the unknown factor.

I think the last time the USA won was when they held the Ryder Cup in Brookline, MA.  Or about 1 mile from my house and at the course right next to the public course I played every weekend.  Funny thing about that public course, it was used as a parking lot for the Ryder Cup when the USA pulled the all time comeback of all comebacks.

And I could have gone to it but didn't due to work.  Now work just sucks and that was inexcusable to miss that historic day. 

I don't see it as a snub, Pat, Poulter is way ahead in the world rankings so his case is much stronger than Darren's or Monty's.

The main team is picked by the money list and ranking in the world must also be taken into consideration. Don't forget you have a couple of players in the team who were fortunate to make enough money over the distance by playing in every qualifying event in Europe. If they had not qualified then they would never have been wild cards. I am sure you know to whom I am referring.

I suppose you have noticed the Ryder Cup in my avatar. 

I think we should have a golfshake Ryder Cup....Now all I have to do is find 10 more people from the USA on this site other than me.

I doubt he was attempting to prove his loyalty by playing in Europe, a much easier school to earn money in than the USA.

2006 was indeed a tragic time for him but, cmon, life has to go on and it has been two years.

You accept those who have earned enough money to have their place cemented for them, when some of them are most certainly not on form at present, yet you still consider that Darren has done enough, well I don't.

Why the dig at Faldo, none of them have achieved what he has in this wonderful game.

I think it's harsh to say "life goes on" but I think Darren handled himself tremedously at the last Ryder cup.

I would have preferred Darren in the team as I think he brings a different perspective to the team & he is also a more creative golfer (in my opinion).

I think Darren proved himself last time round as a wild card. Do we think Bjorn would have done a better job given his position in the money list??

John.

I did not realise that we have members on this forum who are unable to cope with what life throws at them.

I did not realise we had members on this forum who are cold hearted & emotionless.

I think it it harsh to say people should get on with life unless they have had the same losses, the same situations etc.

Have you had to deal with raising 2 children at a young age after losing the love of your life to a disease and also whilst facing the public eye??

If you have then you are more in a postion than most to comment on how they would be feeling & how they should be coping.

I think the Europeans will win whoever is in the side but I can't help thinking that if I was a yank I would'nt want to face Monty or Cark in the singles on Sunday, matchplay is a different animal, but Poulter and Casey just would'nt scare me.

So, given that I would have gone for  Monty and Clark.... 

Flood and Fitzsimmons are a pathetic pair in attempting to condemn me when they know nothing of what my life has entailed. I will not  give you the satisfaction. Suffice to say that you are both a pair of wimps, but I put that down to being young and inexperienced in this world. A few years in the services would soon have toughened you up.

All of you have stated your opinions without any basic facts to back up your judgement other than to have a go at Faldo, who as I stated before has nor peers amongst those he has picked or left out. His record speaks for itself. 

Pettitt,

I fail to see where I have tried to condemn you, I simply took your quote & reversed it. So if you are having a go at me for that then you are just as guilty!?!?!

As of knowing nothing of your life, you are correct which is why I asked the question

"Have you had to deal with raising 2 children at a young age after losing the love of your life to a disease and also whilst facing the public eye??

If you have then you are more in a postion than most to comment on how they would be feeling & how they should be coping"

As with most of your posts you attribute certain traits to people with no substantial backing or evidence & yet you have a go at people for not backing opinions without any basic facts (pot/kettle?). If I'm wrong explain the "wimp" comment & also how you can come to a conclusion that we are inexperienced in this world without even meeting us?

For the record I didn't argue with Faldo's decision I merely expressed my opinion which according to you we are allowed to do in a forum??

John

If you cannot stand the flack then be careful what you say FITZSIMONS.

You are disgruntled because a fellow Irishman has not been picked, get used to it. You obviously do not like Poulter and have made derogatory remarks about Faldo, so please do not act all sanctimonious  because I have stated a few home truths.

I can only thank god that I did not have people like you in my company whilst serving in active service theatres.

You will find that people die every day and we all have to live with it, especially  whener that person is close. Darren did, and he made a great comeback, but that is not reason enough to warrant his place in the side. Ryder cup teams are picked on merit not on personal circumstances.

May I also suggest that when you post anything, be prepared to have it examined, as some of your posts about golf itself show that your knowledge of this game is very limited.  You turned the hands over a couple of days ago and you could not even tell me at what point inthe swing you did this.  I pointed out what the resul.t would be by turning the hands over before, yet you failed to grasp this, I now know why.

 I did not realise we had members on this forum who are cold hearted & emotionless.

I am not cold hearted at all, just a realist. Mr Flood, and if I convey a lack of emotion it is because emotion has no place in my life. I have witnessed death on many occasions and have no fear of it myself and quickly learned that I had to grow up fast or end up being like the many thousands of mourners in this country who place flowers at incidents, just to ease their own conscience, when none of them ever attend a memorial service to those who lost their lives so that we all can live in peace. Just a bunch of hypocrites.

If you wish to face me, Pat, then I am always available. 

I have already stated, Pat, that I also think that Darren is a fine player and I would not have objected if Faldo had picked him. I agree with his picks, as he has not been swayed by sentiment at all and has picked a player who is by far the best of those you are mentioning because of the statistics of the world rankings. Now you can either dismiss those or agree with them. I don't have problem with that.

It does appear that you have a lack of cojones, as your only get out from the truth is to laugh. 

Your support for Clarke is admirable but because of your lack of knowledge in how these teams are selected, you are listening to the press and failing to think logically. This is a trait quite often found in people who lack leadership qualities, but are prepared to jump on the bandwagon thinking it will make some difference. 

Colin has done himself no favours whatsoever in his attack on Poulter and I am not surprised by your attack on Faldo, as you seem to have personal grudges against players from England. 

If you consider me a troll then you should know how to combat that, but in case you don't, the answer is to not feed him. I will let that swirl around in your head for you to digest.

John P,

I respect your own personal views on grief as everybody has to deal with it on their own way, but to criticise those people who mourn their loved ones is a bit harsh.

Also I still feel that your comment of calling me a 'wimp' & unexperienced is still unjustified & up to now still not explained or backed up with any real evidence apart from your own personal opinion!!

Can I assume it was written in haste & therefore I can disregard it?

Thanks

John.

John Flood, if you had made this post before your previous one then there would not have been a response from me, but youattacked me first and I have responded, as you knew I would.

We are a generation apart and will never ever be on the same wavelength, but I never hold grudges and look forward to meeting you when we play in Tims team for the YMCA.

To you Pat, I would like to point you to the following article by Kevin Garside and then you will understand why I am defending Faldo and objecting to your criticisms.

 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/golf/rydercup/2663840/Nick-Faldos-funny-man-image-seems-a-fair-way-off
---Golf.html

John,

I fail to see where I attacked you as I simply took your statement & twisted it on it's head, I'm sorry you felt it was such a strong statement, maybe in hindsight your statment wasn't meant to sound like it was!?!?!?!

I too look forward to meeting you at the YMCA golf day.

John.

I knew you would like the article as it completely mirrors your thoughts on this obviously touchy subject and we now know that it is Faldo that is responsible in your book.

We all know how difficult this game can be sometimes and then a good spell comes along and it all seems so easy. It is easy to pick ones best players as amateurs because of the handicap system. One would not pick a 2 handicapper in front of a 1 handicapper as the difference is quite large.

The professionals do not have handicaps but base selection on the amount of money won on the tour, something I do not agree with as some tournaments carry more prize money than others and this boosts their ranking to a false position. McDowell springs to mind in respect of this. He played fantastically well at Loch Lomond, won a lot of money and gets himself into the team. We have to accept that, because that is the system, we also have to respect that the Captain has two picks and although we may disagree with his choices, even though sound arguments can be put forward for others, it is his ultimate choice and I feel that he made a good choice.

If Darren were Captain I am quite sure you would have no objection to him calling it his team so you are being prejudiced.

You also have to remember that journalists have to write something contentious or their column would not be worth reading. They always pick up on the negatives just as they wrote abot the spat that Monty started because Poulter played in the USA.

John F, there are many times when I write things that I probably should not have said, but that is because of the wonderful thing called hindsight.

Pat, you really are becoming a pain in the backside, don't you read anything properly or even understand what I am saying. If Darren had called it his team then you would not have made any derogatory comment or called it arrogance, but because of your obvious hatred for Faldo you just had to call him arrogant. That is showing prejudice in favour of Clarke.

Being Captain makes it his team to captain, do you understand that? 

His recent form is level par for four rounds as J P quite rightly pointed out. So that shoots that little argument in the foot. My club pro shoots under par every time he plays, but you would not pick him, would you.

Your opinion is worthless as you cannot back it up with facts. I can. Poulter is one of the leading money winners on the world tour, which alone shows that his skill level has been consistent and maintained over the past year. It is that fact that Faldo has recognised as one of the most important factors he would have considered in his selections.

I have no doubt that, if he were allowed, then he would remove a couple of players from the automatic list and would then have replaced them with posssibly Darren and Monty.

No matter what he does or did there will always be those like Kevin Garside and your goodself who see into his selection things that are totally irrelevant. That is just the way you are.

I will ask you again, If Clarke was Captain and called it his team would you have objected to this. A straight yes or no will be sufficient.

A straight answer a resounding YES !!!!!! but given that my responses are worthless I can only assume my response will be disregarded by you.....

I don't believe you for one moment, Pat.

Clarke was one of only a handful of recognised class players in the KLM field, the course was obviously playing very easy judging by the scores so hardly anything to get excited about IMO.

Clarkes form dipped because he stopped playing after his wifes death, not because of her death. How on earth do you know how is dealing with his loss, all conjecture on your part.

Faldo is Faldo, a great player because of his focus. A great record because of his determination to be the best.

I feel you are confusing confidence with arrogance as it suits your thoughts.

Of course he has handled it well, he has not taken any notice of people who know nothing and have achieved nothing, like journalists trying to serve up some form of copy to keep their jobs.

Monty made a rod for his own back by mentioning that Poulter should have played in Europe. He also is not playing well enough to be considered, no matter how good his record has been down the years.

I feel that Poulter was always going to be his choice as his decision would be based on the current year as opposed to the current week. We all know how difficult it is to win twice on the trot and that is why Clarkes last four rounds were only level par.

We can only guess about when Poulter was given the nod, so to speak, but would this have been important to you if it had been anyone else other than Faldo. I doubt it.

I don't see how his decision would be made easier by Poulter deciding to play at Gleneagles as it would have proved nothing.

All it would have done is given the backbiters no ammunition from which to voice their obvious displeasure in not being selected themselves.

We all know that these kind of events are all about what happens on the day and as we all know anything can and does happen.

For the record I would not have objected had he picked Monty and Darren, it is his choice, that is why they are called the Captains pick.

I am afraid I have to agree with both Wayne and J P who have both substantiated my thoughts in a more elegant and probably appropriate manner.

Correct, Martin, he was damned if he did and damned if he didn't.

My argument is that we would not be having this discussion if it were not Faldo as the Captain. 

No other Captain would have been questioned the way he has, Pat and that is the crux of the matter. A certain jealous professional made sure that his view was going to be highlighted, a bitter and twisted individual indeed.

It is a shame that he stooped so low when he has been a great ambassador for our game and a record that will take some beating in respect of his consistency in maintaining his top position on the Order of Merit. Sour grapes springs to mind.

It is obvious you don't like Faldo, but that does not worry me, as it takes someone who knows, what he achieved against all the odds stacked against him.

It seems to me, Pat that you do wish to keep repeating it, adding little snippets at each input.

Perhaps you could tell me why Darren Clarke did not qualify for the automatic selections with seven top tens and two wins.

Ian Poulter has obviously done enough to warrant his world ranking, so it all comes down to choice, something we don't have, that belongs to the Captain of the team and this time round it is Faldo.

I now notice that another wonderful scotsman has put his oar in to go alongside Monty and Bernard. Why all this hatred of a man just because he has a better record than them.

We can only read the press reports and what journalists write on the internet and also bear in mind that only contentious news will get an audience. We see the same kind of thing every two weeks when the F1 grand prix is about to be run.

Quite frankly I cannot see what build up you are referring to as the majority of the team automatically picked itself to set criteria with the Captain having a choice of two extra players from which to pick his teams on the day.

Like I said and will continue to say, that any other Captain would not have been subjected to this kind of abuse from people who are not in the same league as he is.

You disagreed with his choice, and you are entitied to disagree and no argument would have come from me if I had agreed with your reasons, but I didn't , because I believed your argument to be pretty shallow.

 Regards

I most certainly don't believe what I read in the papers or on the internet, J P, I am surprised that you thought I did as I have made it pretty obvious my views on the press in this thread. 

Now you're getting it, Pat, you have finally admitted that getting at Faldo is the name of the game from not only the press but from yourself.

Darren Clarke has admitted himself that Poulter is way ahead of him in the rankings.

Faldo does not have to justify his selections, as it is part of the Captains remit. The fact that he has chosen better players than those who are whinging, shows that he knows what he wants. 

I'll take a half, Pat.

J P, being an ex county player for Somerset, I have played many of these matchplay formats like the Ryder cup. We used to play matches against other counties usually foursomes in the morning and singles in the afternoon.

In my very first ever match for Somerset we played against Monmouth(No longer exists as a county) at Rogerstone G.C.and I drew a Mr Ken Fitzgerald who had won the Tredegar Park 36 hole scratch open the day before. All square coming up the 18th he made a birdie to my par and beat me 1 up, he shot 68 and I a 69. My point is that my 69 would have beaten every other member of their team and every member of my own team, yet I lost.

On another occasion playing Cornwall at Burnham & Berrow G. C. I won my match 7 and 6, yet would have probably lost to most of the others playing that day. I played a couple over par yet my opponent had one of those days one wishes to forget. 

So no matter who wins and loses in the Ryder cup, don't forget that there will always be a hidden story in each result. 

All, it really does not matter who anyone picks.  The USA has had Tiger Woods and Phil Mickleson in each of the last three or four Ryder Cups and have gotten smoked anyway.

what without clarke in the team. my wish is for the ryder cup to come home again. my heart thinks that mr faldo has **cked up. i hopes i'm wrong. come on you boys.......

You're brave J P, I wouldn't have dared come up with that prognosis.