Sep 02

Is Nick Faldo's Ryder Cup craziness based on prejudice? He doesn't like the Irish or the Scots?

Ryder Cup captain Nick Faldo must be associating with too many Democrats during his time in America.

The Democrats can take a sure thing and screw it up – how on earth could John McCain be even-steven with Barrack Obama in the polls? – and Faldo seems well on his way to doing the same thing.

Faldo, in charge of what looked on paper to be one of Europe’s strongest teams ever, pulled a polarizing stunt by picking Ian Poulter and Paul Casey as his captain’s picks, passing over Darren Clarke and Colin Montgomery.

The European press is in an uproar, calling the decision “appalling,” and “devastating,” among other things. They’re already saying the European team is “contaminated” and that team unity is shot.

True, the European press gets in an uproar at the drop of a stout, but this time, it’s deserved.

Ian Poulter doesn’t deserve to be on the team. You could make a case for Paul Casey, even though I loathe the punk, but Poulter, at the least, is seen by most Europeans who follow the Ryder Cup as sort of whining his way onto the team; I’d love to see his text messaging bills to Faldo.

Poulter skipped Gleneagles and a chance to play his way onto the team for the lure of big money in the FedEx Cup.

One thing the European press is staying away from: the question of nationality.

Poulter and Casey are Brits.

Darren Carke is from Northern Ireland and Montgomery, a long-time Ryder Cup lion, even if he looks like a Pooh Bear, is a Scot.

And, of course, Carl Petterson, another consideration, is Swedish.

Hmmmmm.

Long live the Queen.

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9 comments

§ Booger said on : 09/02/08 @ 21:33
I have to admit this was my first reaction
as well. Not picking Clarke is unreal.
§ Paul said on : 09/03/08 @ 05:46
Monty and Clarke are also both Brits. I think you meant to say, 'Poulter and Casey are English' i.e. there is an English bias.
§ Shanks® said on : 09/03/08 @ 07:21
Monty wasn't selected because he just stunk it up all year. He's very nearly out of the top 100 in the World Rankings now. He's played 7 Majors in the last 2 years, missed the cut in 5 of them and placed 42nd and 58th in the other two. Please.
§ Tim McDonald® said on : 09/03/08 @ 07:44
Visitor Paul, yes, that's what I meant.
§ Wendy (UK) said on : 09/03/08 @ 10:26
Tim,

Why don't you take it one step further and point out that both Faldo & Poulter are from the same English county - Hertfordshire?
§ Dave said on : 09/03/08 @ 14:56
This theory is probably just a joke anyway, but I doubt Faldo holds any prejudice against the Scottish and Northern Irish :-)

He just chose who he felt were the two best picks, and in my opinion he made the wrong decision.

Shanks, I know Monty sucked all year. But, remember in 2004 when, at least partly due to the separation from his wife, his form was terrible. Captain Bernhard Langer, however, recognised Monty's love of the Ryder Cup, and that he thrives on the format of the competition. Ultimately, Monty holed what some people call the 'winning putt.'

Same thing with Darren Clarke in 2006 - Woosnam knew Clarke was having a rough time following the death of his wife, but knew that Clarke was a good Ryder Cup player. Clarke won all his matches.
§ Ron Mon® said on : 09/06/08 @ 07:42
Wendy, I think it's "farther." Further modifies in the same way "additional" does.

I'd like to let it be known that, should I be elected Ryder Cup Captain, Pennsylvanians and Ohioans need not apply for candidacy. Curtis and Furyk...out. Rhode Islanders and Dakotians will be admitted site unseen, while Montanidiots and Arkansations will receive preferential consideration.
§ Wendy (UK) said on : 09/06/08 @ 10:25
Ron Mon,

You say "either" and I say "either". Furthermore, you're probably right.

Do you know that people write angry letters to "The Times" about errors like mine, usually signed "Disgusted of Tonbridge Wells"?

Is "site" a deliberate play on words?

Please don't make up names for people from various states as I am gullible enough to believe some of them. I don't often ask favours, but would you please reconsider Pennsylvania as I like Jim Furyk's dry sense of humour?
§ Shanks® said on : 09/08/08 @ 11:25
Dave, Monty hasn't done much for the last 2 years. It's not because he's having personal issues now. He's just not that good anymore.