Paul McGinley declared he now has 20 players better prepared for Ryder Cup selection following the dramatic conclusion to the Seve Trophy at St. Nom-la-Breteche.
Italy’s Francesco Molinari was a European Team hero for the second time in twelve months when he birdied the 16th hole to defeat GB & I’s Chris Wood and deliver Jose Maria Olazabal’s side a two point win for a 15 – 13 victory.
Paul McGinley now has 20 Seve Trophy players better prepared to handle Ryder Cup. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)
A year ago, Tiger Woods conceded the overall Medinah winning putt to Molinari .
Frenchman Gregory Bourdy, competing in the event for a first time, emerged undefeated to win all five matches for the Continentals while Miguel Angel Jimenez, who played in the only other winning Europe Seve Trophy team in 2000, handed out the biggest Singles defeat of 6 & 4 to GB & I’s David Lynn.
“It’s been an absolutely terrific week on a number of levels and the 20 players who have competed here this week hopefully will walk away better prepared first of all to face the battle to qualify for the Ryder Cup team, and secondly if they do manage to qualify and win that battle and make that team, then they will be better prepared to play in the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles,” said McGinley.
“So the Seve Trophy continues to serve well for the European Ryder Cup cause and the experience these guys will of have, winning and losing, will stand them in very good stead for Gleneagles.”
And ‘Captain Fantastic’ as losing GB & I captain Sam Torrance described Olazabal, is just as certain McGinley will be better prepared having witnessed firsthand the encounter on the outskirts of Versailles.
“I’m sure Paul will have taken a lot of notes this week regarding certain players, not just their performances but their attitude on the course,” said Olazabal.
“That can be very important when you have to face a big opponent like we do in the US at the Ryder Cup.”
Torrance was gracious in defeat and despite the loss did everything to suggest he will be one of McGinley’s Gleneagles vice-captains.
“I’m disappointed not to win, but I couldn’t have asked for more from my team. They were fantastic all week in every aspect,” said Torrance.
“The Simon Khan situation didn’t hinder us as we half a point nearer to victory.
“It was always going to be very tight, and it came right down to the last match.
“And Paul McGinley will have seen this week how much heart these young fellows have, their desire.
“It’s more about what they, the players learn, than what Paul learns. He knows quite a lot.
“But tasting defeat is always tough to take, but you can come back from that stronger.
“After their experience here this week, these guys will be more enthusiastic about making the Ryder Cup. They will have learned what real team golf is like.
“It’s been fantastic for me and it was a great honour to be GB & I captain.”
