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RYDER CUP 2008: US aim to end European dominance

Paul Azinger is hoping that a combination of new blood, wounded national pride and fan fervor can wrest the Ryder Cup from European hands this weekend.

A failure to do so will mean a record fourth straight win for Europe and leave Americans scratching their heads over whatever happened to their decades-long dominance of world golf.

The combative Azinger, who as a player won two, lost one and drew one, has left no stone unturned in his quest to put his team in the best of possible positions to stop the rot.

He revised the points qualification system to better reflect current form, changed the playing format to have the foursomes before the fourballs, curried favor with course superintendant at Valhalla, Mark Wilson, to alter the layout in his team’s favor and this week he has been firing up the Kentucky golf fans to what he hopes will be a fever pitch come today’s opening action.

His opposite number and longtime adversary Nick Faldo has been less active, preferring instead to fall back on the tried and trusted approach that has brought a hat-trick of wins for Europe and five out of the last six.

“We were losing and I’ve tried to make some necessary adjustments to win the rematch,” Azinger said. “I think that now we have exactly who we want to have on this team, without of course Tiger Woods, the greatest player on earth.”

“I like the way it’s worked out,” he said.

“I love this town and I love this state and I couldn’t think of a better place for us to be. I know it’s going to be an energized crowd,” Azinger said.

The absence of Woods, who will be out of action until early next year after knee surgery, and the presence of a record six rookies in the 12-strong US team have been the main talking points in the final build-up.

Phil Mickelson and Jim Furyk are now seen as the two senior players in the side although neither has enjoyed great success to date in the Ryder Cup.

The rookies include three players in their early 20s in Anthony Kim, JB Holmes and Hunter Mahan and much will depend on how they cope with the unique pressures of golf’s premier team event.

On the European side, Faldo can turn for leadership to Irishman Padraig Harrington who has won three majors in the last 15 months and two Ryder Cup specialists in Sergio Garcia and Lee Westwood.

Garcia in particular is seen as the life and soul of the European team and at 28 he seems destined to one day dislodge Faldo as the cup’s all-time top points scorer.

Two years ago in Ireland he won his four foursomes and fourballs and had the chance to become the first player to record a perfect five out of five only to lose to Stewart Cink in the final day singles.

Garcia, like Spanish compatriot Severiano Ballesteros before him, likes nothing better than beating the Americans at matchplay.

“In the Ryder Cup that is the goal, so there is nothing better than doing that — and we have to do that to retain the cup,” he said.

Faldo has been at pains to show that he has the requisite leadership qualities needed to successfully skipper a Ryder Cup team, having been aloof and at times dismissive of others during his rise to the top as a player.

“I love being the big mother hen to this lot,” he said.

“As Europe has always proved, the team spirit is instantly there. I’m loving it and I’m just going to be on hyperdrive until I collapse,” Faldo said.

Action gets underway today with four foursomes in the morning followed by four fourballs in the afternoon.

With 28 points at stake, the first team to get 14.5 points wins the cup. Holders Europe will retain it if it is a draw.
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