Aug 31

Nick Faldo makes a mistake in Ryder Cup picking Ian Poulter, Europe's version of a whiny, wimpy American

Nick Faldo clearly doesn’t want anyone on the European Ryder Cup team who reminds anyone that Faldo’s getting old himself. Faldo is a very hip 50 after all. So, thanks but no thanks Darren Clarke, the Rod Stewart look will not be needed.

Still, Faldo made a big blunder in searching for young players that almost everyone hates, guys in his own playing days’ image. Sure, Faldo found two in Ian Poulter and Paul “I properly hate” Casey, but he also picked up the European version of a whiny, wimpy American. In fact, Poulter does this song and whine even better than almost anyone that U.S. captain Paul Azinger is going to be stuck with - outside of Kenny Perry, the ultimate baby fat cat American golfer.

By putting the pressure-allergic Poulter on his squad, you have to wonder if Faldo’s not trying to make things more interesting in Kentucky. Giving the U.S. a chance - or at least fooling enough people to watch longer on TV - seems to be the only strategic advantage to adding the one who wears hideous pants. Unless Sergio Garcia is going to break out that all canary outfit from his British Open bomb vs. Tiger again and team up with Poulter in a pairing designed to blind Phil Mickelson.

Poulter is one of the biggest babies in golf. He couldn’t stop complaining about the tough position the press put him in after he went off on his tirade about being No. 2 in the world to Tiger (in his own mind). This weekend Poulter’s at it again, moaning about the reports that Faldo already gave him the nod he’d be on the team before he ever arrived in Boston (reports that this selection after Poulter’s sickly missed cut doesn’t exactly refute).

Why is Ian Poulter on the team? Apparently because he played well down the stretch in the British Open when he really didn’t have a chance to win - and mostly because he text messaged Nick Faldo a lot.

Great pick. Of course, the U.S. squad will be so overall wimpy that Poulter probably won’t be able to swing the balance by himself. He’ll do his best though. Just wait and listen for the whine.

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11 comments

§ Oliver Sudden said on : 2008-08-31 @ 19:27
The reason he picked Poulter and Casey is because they play the U.S. Tour and the event is here. They are used to playing courses like Valhalla. If the Ryder Cup was in Europe the choices would have been different. I'm quite sure Faldo wishes he could substitute Pettersson for one of his other players too. This is typical smart captaining by the Euros.
§ Ray said on : 2008-08-31 @ 19:57
It's only a blunder if Europe loses.
§ Ron Mon® said on : 2008-08-31 @ 21:18
Why does Paul hate Casey? What's up with that shizzle? Does Casey know? Remember that we owe Casey a debt of gratitude. He properly hated Americans back then. None of that improper hatred that ruins friendships.

The Euros have Harrington, Jimenez, Garcia and Westwood for senior leadership, Casey has two caps, Karlsson and Poulter have one, while Stenson, Rose, McDowell, Hansen and Wilson debut. Lots of nervous rookies there, so perhaps Team USA has a glimmer of hope in the experience department.
§ golfgirl said on : 2008-09-01 @ 00:59
If texting Faldo got you on the team Monty would be coming to KY. Me thinks.
§ Ron Mon® said on : 2008-09-01 @ 10:43
Thanks, Wendy, for correcting me on Stenson, who has one international Ryder Cup cap already.
§ Wendy (UK) said on : 2008-09-01 @ 14:21
CB - I'm not a Poulter fan, but you couldn't have been watching the back nine of The Open, when he really did think his final putt could win it. Poulter got the pick as a Faldo acolyte but don't think he would have used the phrase "I swear on my kids lives" if he already got the nod.

OS - Surely Darren Clarke should have been a pick over Poulter - two wins, one recent, not exactly a stranger to playing Stateside and far more experienced at international matchplay. Also apart from best friend Justin Rose (I wouldn't be too impressed with a friend who leaves me to qualify and goes off for Fedex gold however) I haven't heard that Poulter is too popular with the other Euro players.

Still, what's done is done, and I'll just have to grit my teeth and get behind him now, I suppose.

gg - have you read the CONTENT of Monty's texts?!

RM - no acknowledgement required; I'm not a sneak (a pain in the donkey, perhaps).
§ Dave said on : 2008-09-01 @ 18:03
ffsfdsfs
§ Dave said on : 2008-09-01 @ 18:05
I think Monty and Clarke should have been chosen, but Casey and Poulter are both very good players.

Casey doesn't dislike Americans, he isn't a racist, etc. He was simply saying what every serious golfer (whether European OR American) was thinking. Whether you're a inside the ropes or simply watching, we all dispair of those stupid, ditzy, usually blonde, empty headed, gold digger golf wives that apparently think they're watching American football or basketball or something. It's golf - we don't need cheerleaders - so stop chanting 'Woooooooo!!! Go Team USA. U to the S to the A - we love you!!!'

That's what Paul meant. He was actually supported by at least several American players. Also, his girlfriend is American.

So Chris, and any other American bloggers, stop mentioning it. If you do keep going on about it, you're simply showing that you're petty enough to be offended by it.
§ Booger said on : 2008-09-02 @ 10:51
Poulter sucks but Europe will still crush
the Americans.
§ Dave said on : 2008-09-02 @ 22:08
I think Poulter's all right; Casey is even better, in my opinion.

But as I said, I would've gone for Clarke and Monty; those two are pure magic when playing in the Ryder Cup!
§ Shanks® said on : 2008-09-30 @ 09:43
Nice call CB, but methinks the Booger prediction takes poor prognosticating to the next level.