Chaska, Minnesota …
USA Captain Davis Love 111 admits the weight of expectation grows ahead of tomorrow (FRD) morning’s opening shots in the 41st Ryder Cup.
Leading betting agencies have Love’s team at 4/6 to win back the Ryder Cup and deny Darren Clarke’s men, who are at 6/4 to win for an unprecedented fourth straight occasion.
Love 111 reckons he’s got all USA team boxed ticked second time around and reform revealed he’s been getting plenty of encouragement from past USA captains including Ben Crenshaw, Curtis Strange, Lanny Wadkins, Hal Sutton and Corey Pavin.
Davis Love 111 speaking today (WED) in the Media Centre at Hazeltine.
“I keep saying it was an honour to be picked as US Captain in 2012 but this time, I was picked by a different group, a group of my peers, so I’m humbled this time and excited,” said Love.
“Yes, Tiger (Woods) keeps saying, you make the decision, but I’ve got a lot more support this time and that’s what makes it so special.”
However, second time around Love is also under pressure from what will be an overwhelming partisan USA crowd to end the nations run of disappointment since Graeme McDowell defeated Hunter Mahan six years at Celtic Manor, in Wales.
“I have expectations of what am I going to say to the team, how are we going to get these guys started and what do we say if things go right, if they go wrong, what are we going to do,” said Love.
“Ultimately, what’s the best way to stay out of their way and let them succeed, not make them nervous. If Tiger and I walk up to a group, are we going to make them nervous or are we going to help them; is Bubba going to go out there — if the fans see Bubba and get excited with Rickie, is that going to make it tougher on Rickie or is it going to make it better for him.
“Those are the kind of things, we’re not anxious, worried; we’re planning out trying to make sure we did what we can do to help this team succeed.
“Phil (Mickelson) keeps preaching it, and I’ve said it before, but I don’t think we need to mess with Jordan (Spieth) that much. Maybe some other guys we can do something for.
“But again, even if it’s just bring the sandwiches and the water and drive them in when they win, whatever it is, we just need to be prepared for it.”
Though if there is one aspect of this week that Love is not relishing is two speeches he has to deliver.
The first was last night (WED) when Love, as host captain, addressed to both assembled teams and the other being today’s (THUR) Opening Ceremony.
“Fred Couples, that’s the first thing he said to me when I was named Ryder Cup Captain in 2012,” said Love.
“He goes, ‘Don’t worry about the pairings and all that stuff. Let me give you something to get nervous about.’ He said, ‘Those speeches are awful’.
“I was like, ‘Oh, no’. But then I’m getting better at it. Hopefully I can stick to the Teleprompter tonight and not get too emotional.
“But I am nervous for the guys teeing off Friday morning. I’m about what I am going to say Friday night. It’s an excited kind of nerves like we’re playing, like we can’t wait to get started.”
