TravelGolf.com
- Updated Daily |
Golf Search
-
Course ReviewsCourse GuideResort FeaturesTravel FeaturesGolf InstructionGolf PackagersReader Forums
The Daily Blog Archives
Tim McDonald   Tim McDonald
   a TravelGolf.com Blog
-
Blog Home | The Daily Blog | Worldwide Golf Blogs | Free Golf Podcasts

Has Hunter Mahan talked his way out of the Ryder Cup?

Thursday August 7, 2008 | 10:18:26 199 words, 10992 views
Win a free golf book!

You’ve got to like Hunter Mahan’s honest comments on the Ryder Cup, though he’s already backtracking.

Mahan, who is in line to make the U.S. Ryder Cup team heading into this week’s PGA Championship, had some harsh things to say to Golf Magazine about why the U.S. team keeps losing.

The PGA of America “could care less about winning” because they decide where it’s played based on where they can make the most money, is one little bomb Mahan let go.

Then: “And from what I’ve heard, the whole week is extremely long. You’ve got dinners every night – not little dinners, but huge, massive dinners. I know as players, that’s the last thing we want to do. We want to prepare ourselves. That’s part of the whole thing. You’re just a slave that week.”

You can imagine how that went down with the powers that be. U.S. captain Paul Azinger has basically called Mahan an idiot. Azinger says Mahan’s comments may even affect his captain’s picks – the captain has four this time, remember.

Still, there is a great deal of truth to what he says, even though the Euros have to go through the same thing.


Comments:

Comment from: Shanks [Member] Email · http://www.travelgolf.com/blogs/shanks
You can bet Azinger will have a chat with Mahan, if he hasn't already.
Permalink 08/07/08 @ 14:52
Comment from: Chris Baldwin [Member] Email
Mahan just shot 11-over in the first round of the PGA Championship, putting him ahead of only two of the club pros that populate this field at the moment. He doesn't have to worry about the Ryder Cup anymore.

And Paul Azinger's sort of a wimpy captain. He's stuck up for Mahan in press conferences.

Permalink 08/07/08 @ 16:29
Comment from: Shanks [Member] Email · http://www.travelgolf.com/blogs/shanks
Baldy means that Mahan doesn't have to worry about qualifying automatically. He still will likely be a captain's pick - unless he keeps shooting around 80 for the next 3 weeks.
Permalink 08/08/08 @ 09:42
Comment from: Oliver Sudden [Visitor] Email
I think if you could deep inside the head and heart of many professional golfers you would find they don't want to play in the Ryder Cup or similar events. I give full credit to pro athletes in other sports that won't be intimidated into "playing for your country" for free so empty suits can make millions. When Tiger said he thought the players should be allowed to donate some money to their favorite charity he caught a lot of flack and why ? Because the people making the money off these events are scared sh**less that one day the players will tell them to shove it.
Permalink 08/08/08 @ 22:32
Comment from: Booger [Visitor] Email
The Ryder Cup is ridiculous. Why would
anyone want to waste a week of their
lives playing this "event"?
Permalink 08/08/08 @ 23:23
Comment from: Tim McDonald [Member] Email
Oliver, you make a good point.

But, the players have it too good to ever rebel.
Permalink 08/09/08 @ 08:29
Comment from: Billy Dawg [Visitor] Email
Nobody really cares if they play for pay, charities or for free - just so long as they play the matches. Best event in golf, period.
Permalink 08/09/08 @ 14:53
Comment from: Wendy (UK) [Visitor] Email
I have no problem with a higher percentage of the profits going to the charities selected by the players, but pay for play for the Ryder Cup? NO WAY!

Booger, you should be committed for your own good (and mine) - it's the most nailbiting competition ever - and I've been on the losing side often enough in the past.
Permalink 08/09/08 @ 16:37
Comment from: Oliver Sudden [Visitor] Email
I would bet money that if Tiger Woods had the option of not playing in the Ryder Cup or Presidents Cup he wouldn't play but of course he doesn't have that option because the media would treat him worse than a terrorist. Same with other top players. As Mahan pointed out it's not just the golf but fancy dinners dressed up in monkey suits every night having to be nice to a bunch of rich people who have been drinking. I do agree it is very exciting to watch on TV. But remember tour life is not fun with the travel and being away from your family most of the time, it's a job. Which is why Boo Weekley and David Toms each took a month off recently and why Tiger doesn't play much even when he is healthy. Hotels and restaurants get old real quick no matter how fancy they are. So I can't believe they want to add more weeks of work to their schedules. Weekley, who isn't politically correct, said this is a job and as soon as I get enough money I'm quitting.
Permalink 08/10/08 @ 00:31
Comment from: Ron Mon [Member] Email · http://www.buffalogolfer.com
Ahh, forget it...too much to say...read it here: http://www.travelgolf.com/blogs/ron.mon
Permalink 08/10/08 @ 07:59
Comment from: KimS [Visitor] Email · http://www.ibxgolf.com/
Well, it is a rather long "event" but he is young and I imagine he will choose his words with more care in the future.
Permalink 08/10/08 @ 20:04
Comment from: Booger [Visitor] Email
Why should I be committed, Wendy? Because you and I have a difference of opinion? You sound like a fan of Stalin.

The Ryder Cup sucks for the reasons Oliver pointed out. Even the wives are part of the show, wearing their "uniforms" as well. A joke.
Permalink 08/11/08 @ 12:05
Comment from: Wendy (UK) [Visitor] Email
Booger - the "committal" was just to give you temporary respite from the forthcoming Ryder Cup fever - honest!
Apologies - didn't expect you to take the comment seriously.

Oliver also pointed out "that it is very exciting to watch on TV", which is where I'm coming from.

I am sure there are some players who regard RC as a waste of a week, but there are also those who have said it has been their ambition - a couple of them may have even been sincere?

Agree that the uniforms for wives are cringe-making and wish someone would have the nous to put a stop to it. Think I read somewhere that Faldo's ex may have a hand in designing this year's Euro joke version however.
Permalink 08/11/08 @ 12:53
Comment from: Dave [Visitor] Email
I'm not sure if I like the Ryder Cup anymore or not.

If the best players in the world can't be arsed with it, neither can I.
Permalink 08/11/08 @ 14:39

Leave a comment:

Your email address will not be displayed on this site.
Your URL will be displayed.

Allowed XHTML tags: <p, ul, ol, li, dl, dt, dd, address, blockquote, ins, del, span, bdo, br, em, strong, dfn, code, samp, kdb, var, cite, abbr, acronym, q, sub, sup, tt, i, b, big, small>. Bloggers reserve the right to edit or delete comments. Any opinions expressed above are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the management.
(Line breaks become <br />)
(Set cookies for name, email and url)
(Allow users to contact you through a message form (your email will NOT be displayed.))
Grass is green. What color is grass?
-

Misc

GolfPublisher.com Add GolfPublisher.com articles/headlines to your web site
Course Reviews | US Golf Guide | Resort Features | Travel Features | Golf Instruction | Golf Schools | Golf Packages | Free Vacation Quote

© Copyright 1997-2009, WorldGolf.com, LLC. For questions, comments or suggestions on any of our network publications, Contact Us!
Privacy Policy