TEAM NEWS

For those visiting from another planet, the team news is about the Ryder Cup. The rest of us, even if we're not golfers, will be aware of the oncoming battle between gentlemen golfers from North America and Europe, to be played later this month at the K Club in Ireland. I am able to use the term "gentlemen" because Thomas Bjorn has been omitted from the European side and was unable to accept the decision like a gentleman. His behaviour and unreasonable criticism of Captain Ian Woosnam since his omission, simply confirm that the decision to prefer Darren Clarke & Lee Westwood, was the right one. Let's have a look at the team selections: Europe: Casey, Clarke, Donald, Garcia, Harrington, Howell, Karlsson, Mcginley, Montgomerie, Olazabal, Stenson & Westwood. No weak links there, although McGinley's recent poor performances must have been worrying for Woosnam. But they were obviously the product of stress brought on by an overwhelming desire to be in the team. My guess is he will rise to the occasion, as he has previously. Darren Clarke, who tragically lost his wife to cancer several weeks ago, is observing the well-used cliché that life must go on, and he is simply returning to work, as most clear-thinking people would do. I have a premonition that he will find himself facing Tiger Woods in the final day's singles matches, going on to repeat his 36 hole World Matchplay victory over Woods a few years ago. U.S.A.: Chad Campbell, Cink, Dimarco, Furyk, JJ Henry, Zack Johnson, Toms, Verplank, Wetterich & Woods. With four rookies, yet to experience the unrelenting pressure of this contest, the American team start as underdogs for a change. But some rookies wilt under the pressure, while others are inspired. Remember Phillip Price's thrashing of Phil Mickleson? My betting is that this will be one of the closest fought ties ever, as skipper Tom Lehman has recognised that although golf is a game played by individuals, the team ethic is the secret to winning, as demonstrated in recent years by the European team. All the Americans turned up at the K Club recently, in an obvious excercise in bonding. More importantly, Tiger Woods, having won 5 consecutive tournaments, is not only in the best form of his life, but has at last taken responibility as a senior member of his side, and has taken the rookies under his wing. Campbell, Henry, Johnson and Wetterich may be Ryder Cup rookies, but simply by gaining automatic selection, they have proved that they are winners. The Ryder Cup is one of sports most enthralling occasions, with more drama than any TV soap opera. That is why it will be watched by many millions of viewers throughout the world. I certainly intend to be one of them.