Ollie On Not Conceding Tiger's Putt: "Rules are the rules"
Apparently in Captain Jose Maria Olazabal's eyes, the rules forbid a player from conceding a putt! 
At today's London press conference, Ollie said that he will not captain in 2014, that he's received congratulatory messages from the likes of Rafael Nadal and the King of Spain and that three of his four cart drivers are in line for Captaincies (The Mechanic was not mentioned after McGinley, Clarke and Bjorn!).
But most curious of all was Olazabal's rationale for insisting Francesco Molinari finish the final match even after (A) the Cup had been retained (B) the chaotic setting was not conducive to proper golf and (C) young Molinari had the class to recognize this:
"I said to Francesco 'you have to half this match'. There's a huge difference between tying and winning the cup. I know some people might think Francesco should have given Tiger that short putt, but at the end of the day the rules are the rules. It was important to finish the match."
Yes, the rules say you have to finish all of the matches, but that does not preclude a player from conceding a putt. Or maybe those famous concessions from the past violated Captain Ollie's Merely Retaining The Cup Is For Losers.
Imagine an American captain saying "rules are rules" in an identical situation?
Fleet Street couldn't file those "Ugly American" columns fast enough!
Tuesday, October 2, 2012 at 10:34 AM
Reader Comments (126)
The whole thing took only a few minutes, if that, and it was a bit chaotic.
I also wondered if Geoff has been taking Manos pills. This being flogged to death -- and, as it was within the rules, it does not approach Brookline as an offence -- and the "outrage" that didn't exist till whipped up here over Gene thing's harmless article and the reasonable response to it in the UK interview -- and the absence of any public reaction at all...take a breath, bud.
The match is over. Europe responded to being ticked off at Brookline by coming back to win three in a row. We should be watching out for you -- except I am not sure I have seen a single member of the US team comment on this apparently grievous insult. They are more concerned with analysing how they lost. Could it be that they are aware of a rule to play it out? And that the most they ponder is what they would have done if they had been Tiger? HE HAD THE ADVANTAGE: it was not his opponent's to hand away.
At first, I thought that it was personal between the players because of Francesco's loss to Tiger at Celtic Manor, but now we know that he actually wanted to do the right thing, and that even earlier, while Ollie screwed it with regard to the spirit of the game.
I am no Tiger fan, but there is nothing to criticize him about in this instance.
Maybe Ollie had placed a bet that way, apparently it cost the bookies millions.
How do you concede a putt that's longer than the one you have? If Tiger conceded Molinari's short putt the first time, then Molinari woud likely have conceded Tiger's. But it's unreasonable, in my opinion, to expect someone to concede a putt that's longer than theirs, especially when that putt wasn't conceded in the first place.
Regarding Tiger's consession of Molinari's putt the second time, it wasn't long enough to concede the first time but it was ok later?
IMO, all this "sour grapes" is quite surprising.
Genuinely pathetic.
This whole meme is incredibly boring and contrived. I can only suggest that some of you Yanks try and play a little more match play. That way you will learn that it is more "classless" to expect a putt to be conceded and that missing the damn thing then precludes any complaints.
As a final thought: we do not live in a binary world and even those who think conceding the hole would have been a "classy" thing to do should consider the possibility that it doesn't necessarily follow that declining to do so makes you "classless". Declining to meet your idea of sainthood, doesn't automatically make Ole a sinner.
One, two, three, thumbs out of mouths now.
Also enjoy those Euros who are saying US can't say anything about this because of Brookline. So an event 13 yrs ago means that any action by Europeans is now justified? (not saying this is that horrific, just the line of reasoning is specious). To be frank the Euros just like to carp on the lack of class of Americans, and then ignore all their own failings (apparently only US players curse, and it's terrible when they throw clubs, but if a Euro does it, it's fine).
Anyway, I am always amazed at how my hindsight is 20:20 after a memorable event, just like all of my other friends here. Still, never concede the putt that beats you if it can be missed (> 5 inches). And if it is Tiger Woods, or the equivalent in my teeny tiny universe, he will have to putt it. I suppose that makes me a bad sport. Alas.
Leaving work to make some popcorn. This is good. Keep it up!
Where I retract the "tip of the hat" is when Kaymer's ball found the bottom of the cup on 18. While I can understand the elation of making a putt to win the Ryder Cup and the ensuing celebration (see '99 US Team), Kaymer took many minutes to remove himself and his team from the green. There are three reasons I bring this up... 1) It took Kaymer well over 2-3 minutes before he even shook Stricker's hand, inexcusable; 2) If Molinari vs. Woods match was so important (Olazabal said "rules are rules" in regards to why he told Molinari to try to win the point) then why was there such a disregard for the rules and etiquette to let the final match play into the 18th green?; and most importantly...
3) For any European fan, player, or captain (especially Olazabal) to hold Team USA accountable for their behavior at Brookline and then defend the behavior and etiquette shown by Europe at Medinah (and in particular Kaymer and Olazabal) is shameful. You can't have it both ways. No American "trampled" Olazabal's line in '99 (watch the video). Yes, it was over-the-top, and yes, it was exuberant. But there wasn't one player in that USA celebration that was purposefully trying to be a jerk. It was a momentary lack of judgement. To call it anything else is BS and you know it. In hindsight, most of those guys probably regret running out to Leonard. American fans, players, sportswriters and captains have been apologizing for it for years. To further that point, at least Payne Stewart had the class to concede to Monty on the 18th green since the Cup had been won. Olazabal instructed Molinari to try to win the point in the 18th fairway. Why? The only reason I can think of is to rub the Americans face in the feces of their collapse. That is poor sportsmanship and like Geoff and Cliff Schrock have eluded to it ruined an opportunity for Europe to have the true high ground in sportsmanship and class. Instead they proved they are no better than what the European media, fans and players call the "Ugly American".
This "Ugly American" golf fan won't soon forget the slight.
P.S.: One other point.. anyone claiming that the Americans were classless in not conceding putts (e.g. Kuchar making Westwood putt from 18 inches to clse his match out) obviously know nothing about the game or the Ryder Cup. The Americans were making the Euros putt when the cup WAS STILL UP FOR GRABS. There is a vast difference.
Forty High level amateur.....I'm impressed. Can you explain what that means exactly. I'm a high level amateur drinker that used to be a professional.....anything close?
1. I would have preferred that Kaymer went to Stricker first but you've completely missed the point about Brookline. For the hard of understanding: it wasn't that the US celebrated. It's that they celebrated before Ollie had his put for a half. They were dancing around while he was trying to size up a massive put.
2. Payne Stewart only conceded after an outright victory had been obtained. Way to shoot yourself in the foot.
3. I don't think there is anyone other than you who gives a flying f@ck whether you ever forget this terrible slight.. More importantly I dont think there is anyone else on this thread ( of any view) who would be so narcisistic as to mistake this for a personal grievance.
The winners just want to be with their 'mates and the loser sure doesn't want to have to slog through another meaningless hole or 2. At that point, the competitive value (he beat Tiger!) is really lost. Both players are, in the least, distracted and the quality of their play is not impacted by the same forces (pressure!) that it would have been if it counted, so you can't really determine who performed better. Tiger's indifferent putt with chaos going on around him is the perfect example.
I assume NBC wants them to keep playing, particularly if Woods is in last group (to maintain ratings), but I think most would stay around for the celebration and interviews rather than watch valueless matches.
The change to include continental Europeans arose from discussion in 1977 between Jack Nicklaus and the Earl of Derby, who was serving as the President of the Professional Golfers' Association; it was suggested by Nicklaus as a means to make the matches more competitive, since the Americans almost always won, often by lopsided margins.
1) The American team quickly realized their exuberance and got out of the way in under a minute. Ollie's line wasn't trampled on and no one was dancing while he stroked his putt. Sure he had to wait for under a minute for the debacle to subside but he was given plenty of time to gather himself, read the putt and stroke it with no interference. Matter of fact, he almost made it. How is Tiger having to wait in the 18th fairway when he's preparing to hit a shot to the green any different? Please tell me that the difference is that the Cup had already been decided; that would be priceless.
2) It appears you are the one that needs help here. You do know that if there is a tie that the team with the cup gets to keep it right? If a tie wasn't a victory for the European squad then why did they celebrate like a bunch of little girls, tearing up the 18th green after Kaymer made his putt? Shouldn't they have waited for Molinari to get that last 1/2 point if "outright victory" was the only goal? It appears you're the one with a gunshot wound to the foot.
3) I don't give a f*ck that you don't give a f*ck about whether or not I feel slighted. Aren't you guilty of the same narcisism that you chastise me by telling us all that you don't care about what I feel? You really need to think out what you write before you write it. To be clear, I don't take it as a personal slight to me. I take it as a slight to the game of golf, to Team USA, and to the American golf fan.
As people have outlined above, the facts are really obvious:
1) Tiger was leading & hence it was his hole to concede.
2) Tiger FAILED to concede Molinari's shorter putt.. why on earth should Molinari concede a longer one after that?!
America lost, get over it.
Damn you almost had me there. It's Huggan taking the piss, right? Very funny but I think it's a touch cruel.
You're missing the point. It's not the Americans losing that is the issue. Like I said originally, my hat is off for the way the Euro squad played. They deserved to keep the Ryder Cup. It was a more impressive comeback than Brookline. I can't pour enough praise on their play. My ire is directed at Olazabal, and a little at Kaymer for making Stricker wait to shake hands for at least 3-4 minutes if not more. That was pretty classless. But, considering the overwhelming joy he must have felt at the moment I can understand the lack of judgement (see 99 US Team for similar lack of judgement).
Please elaborate on your Huggan reference.
Not impressed with myself. I was asked what a high-level amateur meant and I answered. I only stated it in my original post to reference my experience in stating my opinion.
Shocked that even Geoff Shackelford has trolls.
The Kaymer issue should be the only controversy - as I stated in about the 12th post in this thread. 70 posts later, you are still trying to make the point that I made long ago.
Kaymer should have shook hands immediately and respectfully, vacated the green immediately and told his team mates to keep quiet for a few minutes more.
Any bitching about Ollie or Molinari is just pure sour grapes and shows a lack of proper understanding of RC history.
Kaymer should be reprimanded in the press, but appears to have gotten off scot free because of all the Ollie/Molinari red herring stuff.
By the way... if you don't like reading more than a paragraph, you simply can scroll down and skip the post. Either that or I have some great childrens books that my kids have grown out of. Lost of pictures, few words. Seems right up your alley. Let me know.
Agree to disagree. I think I have sufficient understanding of RC history and there are plenty of references to draw from to support the opinion that Ollie should have had Molinari concede the putt. This thread would be about what a gentleman he is if he had done so.
The point to reference is the celebration of the European team once they had TIED to keep the cup. If it wasn't a victory then why the celebration and complete lack of etiquette for Woods in 18 fairway.
You can't accept US have lost so badly on sunday, so you go on and on trying to find some other issues to relieve your pain in the ass.
Get out and play some golf (better not match play).