The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Nowhere to hide for European rookies
Former USA vice-captain does not believe captain Clarke will repeat 1999 strategy
Former Ryder Cup vice-captain Andy North does not believe European skipper Darren Clarke will try to “hide” any of his rookies in this week’s contest at Hazeltine.
Half of Clarke’s 12-man team will be making their debut in the biennial contest as Europe seek an unprecedented fourth straight win, the most for an away tie since seven played at Brookline in 1999.
On that occasion European captain Mark James opted to leave Jarmo Sandelin, Jean van de Velde and Andrew Coltart on the sidelines for the first two days as the visitors built a 10-6 lead.
However, when that trio were sent out in the singles they all suffered heavy defeats as the home side staged a brilliant comeback.
With that in mind, North – who was an assistant to Tom Watson at Gleneagles in 2014 and played at The Belfry in 1985 after winning his second US Open title that year – does not believe Clarke will adopt a similar strategy.
“If you qualify, you play and I don’t think Darren will hide the rookies until Sunday,” North said. “And besides, one of the rookies is the Masters champion, Danny Willett.
“They can all play, but can six rookies all play well at the same time? They play around the world a lot more these days but until you stand on that first tee after they have played your national anthem, you don’t know if you can handle it.”
Although the last American victory also came with six rookies in the side at Valhalla in 2008, this year’s team features just two in Brooks Koepka and Ryan Moore, who was chosen by US captain Davis Love as his final wild card.
North added: “I think we deserve to be favourites just on world rankings and experience and I will be surprised and disappointed if we don’t win.
“But just because you are favourites does not mean you will win and just because you are playing well it doesn’t mean you will win either. It’s all about who gets it done over the three days.”