European Tour Allowed McGinley To Influence Tourney Groupings
Many admire Captain Paul McGinley's attention to detail but does there become an eye-roll, oy-vey, get-a-life, winning isn't everything moment?
After reading Doug Ferguson's story about the European Tour allowing the captain to control early round pairings to help players from say, Team Lake Nona, get to know those playing the actual European Tour, is, a tad excessive.
Graeme McDowell and Victor Dubuisson playing together in the French Open was no accident.
McGinley wanted them for foursomes at Gleneagles, and they wound up winning both their matches.
"I was able to get Victor and Graeme on the same page," he said. "I controlled the draws on the European Tour during the summer, and every time Graeme came to play in Europe, he played with Victor. They didn't know what I was planning, but I had planned that they would be partners."
Tuesday, September 30, 2014 at 11:15 PM
Reader Comments (68)
Nobody is suggesting that the team would have won if Phil was on that plane with the others. Nonetheless, he missed out on a chance to further bond with the team and then complains. Essentially it was a "do as I say, not as I do" attitude.
BTW, not defending Watson whatsoever, but the dirty laundry shouldn't have been aired in public with all the world viewing. I'm not buying the "he had no other option" either. A guy like Phil, well respected and no doubt well connected could have networked later.
IMO, he was totally classless.
When an Englishman is losing a debate to an American, he can always play the "gentleman" card. They've been doing it since the founding of the union.
I totally get why completely random draws aren't wanted (although I've attended tournaments where it wouldn't have been the worst idea in the world as it would stop crowds being so focused on a few marquee groups) but surely you could have seeding but then randomness within those parameters. I just feel like any sport needs either a level playing field or else a system where you earn the right to have an 'easier draw', but who you actually play with/against is unpredictable like in tennis. I know it's not quite the same because with a regular golf tournament you're playing the course and not an opponent but I still think it's something they should consider, because rightly or wrongly, in golf it can make a difference to how well you play who you are paired with and I feel that should be left to chance, as I say perhaps within the parameters of being seeded to play alongside players of a similar ranking.
As I recall Tiger was once asked about his Ryder Cup vs Tour record at a press conference . He responded by asking the crowd how if anyone could tell him Jack's Ryder Cup record. Nobody could. But he has 18 majors, everyone knew that.
So I think Watsons still one of the greatest ever. Full stop.
“The greatest thing I witnessed is when Phil Mickelson throws down the ultimate gauntlet when he doesn’t have a comeback to whatever you’ve said. He just says, ‘Well, I’ve won so many majors. Suck on that,’” Kuchar said.
“He can only say that if Tiger’s not around. He kind of has to look over both shoulders and make sure because then Tiger gives him his number.”
I daresay his own plane was in Scotland. I'm sure quite a few people on the team plane were relieved he was not on it for the return.
Also saw the tour of the European team room. Next US captain: watch and learn. What an atmosphere, even off a brief video.
He can only say that if Tiger’s not around. He kind of has to look over both shoulders and make sure because then Tiger gives him his number.”
This is telling Pro, I saw Faldo during the Ryder Cup on GC, either on the panel or on during that round-table special with Azinger, and he said that he used to say the same exact thing to Phil every time Mickelson kept giving him the needle about something. Kind of like a "who's is bigger" type thing. These guys are some type of egomaniacs. You think Nicklaus or Hogan did that back in the day?
Tell us more embargoing, you sound like you have some information? The only time the PGA Tour "screws" around with the pairings is when they pair players by the Fed Ex standings in the playoffs. The non PGA Tour events can do whatever they want. I challenge you to give us an example of when the PGA Tour did this?
Gave me a late afternoon tee time in round 1 when I was a "b" so I could fly in on
thursday morning after my daughters tuesday birth. For one
CHeck out which half of the draw the "stars" are on, and who starts on 1 or 10 to get tv time.
How about Davis Love missing his saturday tee time at the International and not being disqualified?
They have a product to sell, and they package it so they can maximize their revenues, period.
+1
As a Euro I'd desperately like you to give us contest and even win a few. IN the last two events (and probably more) the USA time had a lower average WR and yet the Euro's keep winning.
Each time a sizeable proportion of US fans say Captains don't matter and the event isn't important. As long as these attitudes prevail the Euro's will keep winning. And once again loads of guys who say the event isn't important will take time out of their busy lives to tell us "Captains don't change results" Now remind me, the definition of insanity is.....
As a Euro I'd desperately like you to give us contest and even win a few. IN the last two events (and probably more) the USA time had a lower average WR and yet the Euro's keep winning.
Each time a sizeable proportion of US fans say Captains don't matter and the event isn't important. As long as these attitudes prevail the Euro's will keep winning. And once again loads of guys who say the event isn't important will take time out of their busy lives to tell us "Captains don't change results" Now remind me, the definition of insanity is.....
Embargoing, did they manipulate who you played with. You have to go early-late or vice-versa the first two days, don't see what you're saying? The times are definitely set for the higher profile players, nobody is denying that, we do need fans afterall.
Below Par, you too apparently don't read well. THE PGA TOUR, "the others can do what they want". Oh boy.
Re McGinley pairing up players ahead of time and getting to know each other: as Roy "Tin Cup" McAvoy said, "Golf isn't about hitting a ball in a hole. It's about inner demons, self-doubt, human frailty - and overcoming all that cr*p."
The team which overcomes all that cr*p is the one which will win. The Euros do it best.
whether for high profile tv pairings, or simply grouping a.b,c
it isn't a holy grail "blind draw".
Either way, it's massive in golf as long as your fine players agree to show up, as I'm sure they will. Might be a good thing if the Americans win next time so you lot can celebrate for a change.