STREAK and ye shall find
McGinley: We’ve got stars on form to sink the United States
Paul McGinley reckons Europe’s stars are timing their run perfectly to catch the hotly-tipped Americans off guard at Hazeltine.
The victorious captain of Gleneagles in 2014 has heard all the talk about the USA being hot favourites to lift the Ryder Cup a week today.
He’s taken on board the boost of home advantage, read through their stellar roster of multiple Major winners including four of the world’s top 10 – which could be five by late tonight if he gives his last wildcard pick to Bubba Watson after the conclusion of the Tour Championship.
He’s looked at the fact the Americans only have one rookie, Brooks Koepka, compared to the six first-timers in Darren Clarke’s Europe side and listened intently to al l the chat ter of how their post- Gleneagles Task Force has put the power in their players’ hands.
But what Europe has that McGinley believes can see them through against the odds is the one commodity every Ryder Cup captain craves to see in his side.
Form. With Rory McIlroy winning the Deutsche Bank event this month and Danny Willett’s runner-up spot at last week’s Italian Open showing signs of regaining the game that propelled him to the US Masters title in April, the positive signs are there.
For too long this summer the big names in Clarke’s line-up looked worryingly off the boil.
Then up pops Henrik Stenson to claim one of the most sensational Open victories in history, Justin Rose pips the Swede to Olympic gold in Rio and suddenly McIlroy looks dangerous again too.
While Dustin Johnson remains the man to beat every time he tees it up in this stunning season for the American, at last Europe are showing signs of their own big names getting their game face on at just the right time.
McGinley said: “There is no doubt that America are going to be favourites for this Ryder Cup.
“They are playing at home which obviously makes it a bit easier for them.
“But one thing I love about the
European team is that we’ve got tremendous form.
“You look at all our top players and Henrik has obviously won The Open and Justin has won a gold medal. Sergio Garcia won in America this year and obviously Rory won a few weeks ago.
“Then you combine that with all the rookies like Danny Willett. Although he won the Masters early in the year, Danny had a pretty quiet summer and may have been a little bit of a worry five or six weeks ago.
“But he played very well in Switzerland and has followed up with another big performance in Italy, so I think we have a lot of form.
“Yes we can focus a lot on the fact that there are six rookies on
There is no doubt that America are going to be favourites for this Ryder Cup but one thing I love about this European team is that we’ve got tremendous form. They will be ready
the team but I love the fact that they’re all showing a lot of form and I really don’t think these guys are going to be afraid when it comes to the Ryder Cup.
“I think they will be ready and their game is in good shape and I think they have the personality to carry that off.” Personality. Character. No stage presents such a stern examination of that facet of a man’s make-up and the legendary European performers who have shown their strength are celebrated more than most.
But to McGinley it’s about more than just f irst- pumping and whipping up the crowd, as talisman Ian Poulter so famously did during his star turn for Europe at Medinah in 2012.
Of course the Englishman’s eyes will be bulging from behind the tee this time as one of Clarke’s vice captains after injury ended his hopes of qualifying for the 12-man team.
But in his absence McGinley believes his successor to the captaincy will be spoilt for choice when it comes to seeking on- course leaders to inspire the rest.
He added: “I think there are a lot of candidates for that. But I think it’s not always an Ian Poulter who is a great Ryder Cup player.
“I mean you take Bernhard Langer and Nick Faldo and you look at their records and how well they played.
“Then you take Seve, who would be very much in the Ian Poulter mould. If you’re seeking that kind of player, you’re looking at Danny Willett or Andy Sullivan to be like Ian Poulter.
“But there are other ways of being a successful player, and it can be the quiet ones.
“It can be a Matt Fitzpatrick kinda guy who goes about his business, and like Bernard Langer, produces a lot of points and goes about it quietly.
“Just because somebody isn’t beating on their heart like Ian Poulter, doesn’t mean they aren’t a great Ryder Cup player or don’t bring something valuable to the team. They all bring something different.
“Someone like Martin Kaymer, for example, is not an Ian Poulter. He’s a lot more quiet and withdrawn but he’s a great guy to be around and a great guy to captain because he’s open for any ideas that you have, and is willing to try anything.
“Obviously Rory is going to have a big role because he’s the highest- ranked player in the European team and I’m looking forward to seeing what role he’s asked to play and how he plays that role.
“But I could talk about all 12 and what they can bring. There are so many things I’m really looking forward to seeing evolving, what role the captain gives them and how they perform that role. There are so many questions, that’s what makes Ryder Cups so intriguing.”
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