Woods and Mickelson join Ryder Cup 'task force'

Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson are part of an 11-strong "task force" created to examine all aspects of the US Ryder Cup process in the wake of last month's defeat at Gleneagles.

But the man praised by Mickelson as creating a winning formula, 2008 captain Paul Azinger, has turned down the chance to formally take part.

In a statement on their website, the PGA of America said the task force would examine the selection of Ryder Cup captains and vice-captains, the qualifying system, the dates by which the team is determined and the timing of wild card selections.

"The Ryder Cup is our most prized competitive asset and the PGA of America is committed to utilizing our utmost energy and resources to support one of the biggest events in all of sport," PGA of America president Ted Bishop said.

"The Ryder Cup Task Force, co-chaired by (PGA vice president) Derek Sprague and (PGA chief executive officer) Pete Bevacqua, is an exciting and comprehensive initiative that will guide the PGA in developing the right strategy and building ongoing processes and infrastructure for future generations of US teams."

In addition to Sprague and Bevacqua, the members of the task force are former captains Raymond Floyd, Tom Lehman and Davis Love, former players Rickie Fowler, Jim Furyk, Mickelson, Steve Stricker and Woods and PGA secretary Paul Levy.

Woods, who was not part of the team in Gleneagles, said: "I think this is a great step by the PGA to accomplish what we all want - to win the Ryder Cup.

"The Ryder Cup is very important to every player who has the honour to represent his country. I'm excited to be part of this group."

Azinger is the only man to lead the United States to victory in the biennial contest this century and his approach was hailed by Mickelson in the US team's press conference in the immediate aftermath of the five-point loss in Scotland.

The 54-year-old has not ruled out being captain for a second time but did not want to be part of the task force.

"I think Paul felt more comfortable with us talking in a small setting," Bevacqua was quoted as saying by the Golf Channel.

Graeme McDowell believes the continuing fallout from Europe's Ryder Cup victory at Gleneagles will ensure a "fairly epic" contest in two years' time.

McDowell thinks Phil Mickelson broke an "unwritten rule" by criticising captain Tom Watson in public after the United States suffered and eighth defeat in the last 10 contests - last month.

Mickelson's comments in the US team's press conference - with Watson sat just a few feet away - prompted the PGA of America to announce the task-force.

"I think there's positive and negative connotations there," said McDowell ahead of his defence of the Volvo World Match Play Championship at The London Club.

"I think the negative being that maybe it takes too much emphasis off the European victory and a little bit more on the US failure.

"And I think the positive being their renewed effort to win the Ryder Cup, and that can only be very, very good for the tournament. It just means two years' time is going to be fairly epic. I want to be there for sure."

McDowell played as many times at Gleneagles as Mickelson - who was left out of a full day's play for the first time in 10 appearances - but insisted he would not have criticised European captain Paul McGinley if his plan had not worked out.

"There's kind of an unwritten rule, you don't call your captain out at a Ryder Cup. Win, lose or draw, you just don't," added McDowell, who won both foursomes matches alongside Victor Dubuisson and then came back from three down to beat Jordan Spieth in the first singles on Sunday.

"I see the negative connotations to it but I see the positive side that they will have to really have an in-depth look at what they are doing wrong and try to bring together a recipe that connects the PGA of America and the PGA Tour players.

"When we come back we play for the European Tour, whereas the Americans they need to have something that can sort of mould them all together that week I suppose. Two years' time will be a telling one. If we were to win that, then that could be interesting. But I think they will be seriously up for it."

Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang

Woods and Mickelson join Ryder Cup 'task force'

Dengan url

http://olahragaenjoy.blogspot.com/2014/10/woods-and-mickelson-join-ryder-cup-task.html

Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya

Woods and Mickelson join Ryder Cup 'task force'

namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link

Woods and Mickelson join Ryder Cup 'task force'

sebagai sumbernya

Olahraga Enjoy