Will Arnold Palmer’s death, just four days before the 41st Ryder Cup tees off at Hazeltine, be motivational for Team USA, or cast a pall over the biggest international team event in the sport?
The Americans have lost eight of their last ten to Team Europe, and with Palmer the most iconic name in golf and revered by all associated with the sport, his death could well lift the Americans.
Sifting through Ryder Cup records, who stands out with the best record – Arnold Palmer.
In his six Ryder Cups in the 60s and 70s, his track record stands at 22-8-2 for a 69 per cent win ratio.
Ian Poulter, who will kiss this year goodbye with a foot injury, is next best with 12-4-2 for 68 per cent, followed by Lee Westwood’s 20-15-6 for 65 per cent.
Then Lanny Watkins 20-11-3 for 59 per cent, Jose Maria Olazabal 18-8-5 for 58 per cent, followed by Sergio Garcia 18-9-5 and Colin Montgomerie 20-9-7, both on 56 er cent.
This will be a Ryder Cup with a difference.
Team Europe will present six rookies in their 12-man roster – Rafa Cabrera-Bello, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Andy Sullivan, Danny Willett, Thomas Pieters, and Chris Wood – the Americans just two – Brooks Koepka, and Ryan Moore.
Advantage Team USA, aided by another legend Johnny Miller writing off Team Europe as “the worst in years”.
That remains to be seen. How often have we seen a rookie uphold the old saying ‘cometh the hour, cometh the man’?
The one in question is Pieters, who has been sadly out of form recently, but still managed to cop a Darren Clarke captain’s pick when he hardly deserved it.
Russell Knox and Luke Donald were far more reliable propositions, but Pieters got the nod.
Captain – Davis Love III
Vice-captains – Jim Furyk, Tom Lehman, Steve Stricker, and Tiger Woods.
Eight automatic qualifiers
Dustin Johnson has played in two Ryder Cups, with a 4-3-0 record.
Zach Johnson – 4 – 6-6-2.
Brooks Koepka – rookie.
Phil Mickelson – 10 – 16-19-7.
Patrick Reed – 1 – 3-1-0,
Brandt Snedeker – 1 – 1-2-0.
Jordan Spieth – 1 – 2-1-1.
Jimmy Walker – 1 – 1-1-3.
Captain’s picks:
Rickie Fowler – 2 – 0-4-4.
JB Holmes – 1 – 2-0-1.
Matt Kuchar – 3 – 4-5-2.
Ryan Moore – rookie.
Captain – Darren Clarke.
Vice-captains – Thomas Bjorn, Padraig Harrington, Paul Lawrie, Ian Poulter, and Sam Torrance.
Nine automatic qualifiers
Rafa Cabrera-Bello – rookie
Matthew Fitzpatrick – rookie
Sergio Garcia -8 – 18-9=5.
Rory McIlroy 04 – 6-4-4.
Henrik Stenson – 3 – 5-4-2.
Andy Sullivan – rookie.
Danny Willett – rookie.
Chris Wood – rookie.
Three captain’s picks:
Martin Kaymer – 4 – 4-3-3.
Thomas Pieters – rookie.
Lee Westwood – 10 – 20-15-6.
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