Rounding up the remainders of an exhausting weekend at Gleneagles for the 40th Ryder Cup
DID PAUL McGINLEY DO THE CAPTAINCY TOO WELL?
This was a good Ryder Cup, but not a classic by any means. I think everyone was fairly clear that Europe would win by something between three and five points, and so they did.
It was not Medinah, but nothing ever will be. It wasn’t as close as Celtic Manor, or Valderrama. It wasn’t the Belfry in 2002, when nobody expected Europe to win the singles but they did.
McGinley’s job as captain was so thorough and Tom Watson’s appointment was such an error by the PGA of America – that there was precious little drama out there.
It was much better than the K Club, which stripped of the emotion of Darren Clarke was a rout against a terrible American team.
JUSTIN ROSE, GRAEME McDOWELL HAVE ENTERED THE PANTHEON
It’s not a large place, the temple of true Ryder cup heroes. We all know the people in it, but now the two cornerstones of this European team can sail in, uncontested.
Both played key parts in previous triumphs G-Mac at Celtic Manor, Rose at Medinah and now they assumed the leadership roles with a cumulative 6-0-2 record at Gleneagles. Rose led out from the front but until his exceptional Sunday singles G-Mac’s role was more subtle, a big brother to Victor Dubuisson, but also a key man off course.
It was G-Mac who made sure everyone knew everything was okay between him and Rory. It was G-Mac who leapt to the defence of Sergio Garcia when Sir Nick Faldo made his “useless” comments. He was also clearly the most sober at the post-victory press conference.
Definite future captain.
RORY IS GOING TO TAKE THE LEAD
It was a strange Ryder Cup for the World No 1. He pottered about in fourballs and foursomes, the partnership with Sergio wasn’t a runaway success. To see Rory bouncing about trying to gee up a sulking Sergio on Friday was strange to see.
Once at the singles, however, Rory was his imperious best. Faced with his friendly rival Rickie Fowler, the only player this season to even get close to him, McIlroy simply decimated him.
Sure Rickie was shattered after playing all sessions, but you might have noticed that Rory played all five as well. He’s fully ingrained in the Euro team ethic and should take a leader’s role from here on.
THE US SHOULDN’T FRET
I personally think the US are clear favourites for Hazeltine. It’s their ground, and Europe were, let’s face it, mighty lucky to win at Medinah. They should be able to find a captain of some worth and if Paul Azinger has his way, they should put a backroom team together like Europe have which creates continuity rather than the ad-hoc system of appointments which presently exists.
Furthermore, the US surely won’t be hamstrung in losing the likes of Tiger Woods, Justin Dufner and Dustin Johnson again.
There are plenty more young talents like Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed coming through, more accustomed to team golf, while the fiery Reed could easily be the Ian Poulter-like catalyst they’ve been looking for.
THE PGA CENTENARY COURSE FOUND ITS PLACE
The fourth best course in Auchterarder, a colleague of mine is fond of saying. Well, it was built (or rebuilt) for a purpose and we saw that purpose at the weekend.
Framed by the stands, the massive hospitality structures and indeed by the hordes of spectators, it came into its own; a stadium course, for hosting big events, and providing good views for fans, even if they have to hike a bit to get to those viewing places.
Of course it’s not nearly as good as the King’s Course, or the Queen’s. But neither of them, as beautiful and treasured as they are, could take all of the infrastructure required to stage a Ryder Cup.
That’s the reality of what the Ryder Cup has become. Anyone still saying that this event should have been on the King’s is talking utter nonsense.
IT WAS ACTUALLY GOOD THAT CELTIC MANOR GOT THE RYDER CUP FIRST
I have to admit, I was furious about that at the time. But, as First Minister Alex Salmond was pointing out on Sunday while wholly crediting his predecessor Henry McLeish for securing the event – hindsight shows that waiting for four years was for the best. The Ryder Cup is three times as large as it was even four years ago.
Terry Mathews was saying last week that the £50 million he spent to secure the Ryder Cup for Celtic Manor was the best he ever spent. Gleneagles, which is so much a better resort there’s hardly a useable measurement, will surely boom as a result of those worldwide TV pictures.
KNOWING THE ROPES
I think everyone’s agreed there’s far too many people inside the gallery ropes at the Open, and we in the media take a caning for this, deservedly.
But as with all things, the Ryder Cup cranks up the ante, and with players’ entourages allowed armbands, special guests and celebrities as WELL as the media, TV and radio people, it’s completely out of hand.
People paying £160 for tickets on Sunday should not be having their view obscured by B list football players, ex-Formula 1 team owners or that guy from Dragon’s Den, just because their egos mean they can’t walk with the punters.
Credit to some, however. I saw Sir Steven Redgrave, Scotland rugby coach Vern Cotter, former Open champion Paul Lawrie and others outside the ropes when they probably could have blagged an armband.
OVER THE JORDAN
While we’re on superfluous egos inside the ropes, I’m not a basketball fan and therefore detached from the understanding that Michael Jordan was “the greatest athlete in history”. All I know is he is possibly the least effective motivator in Ryder Cup history.
AGAIN IN OUR LIFETIME?
Probably not. The earliest the Ryder Cup can come back to the British Isles is 2026. There’s a good chance that neither I nor Donald Trump (who has talked about bidding) will still be around then, and England will get first shout, I suspect.
So that was it for Scotland in this generation. We can pat ourselves on the back. It was the biggest and best Ryder Cup ever, off the course. It was decent enough on it.