Euros Begin The Sensitive Process Of Endorsing Their Next Captain Without Offending The Next Captain
/From a lengthy,
Read MoreWhen you come to think of it that is the secret of most of the great holes all over the world. They all have some kind of a twist. C.B. MACDONALD
McGinley Quiet On Ryder Cup Captaincy: "It's best if I just step away now and let things evolve."
/For a long time the presumed favorite and still so with the bookies, Paul McGinley is going to go silent on the topic even as various well-known, full-bodied individuals plot their way to the job.
From an unbylined BBC report:
"My caddie is a wily old Scot and he has a great saying: 'whatever's for you, won't pass you by', so I'll just stand back and wait until January."
Second Ryder Cup Question: How Does 2012 Impact 2014?
/I know, I know, so much brilliant golf to discuss and we'll review some of the highlights and lowlights. But one of the first thoughts I've had about the 2012 Ryder Cup relates to 2014.
Read MoreAnother Gleneagles Redo Unveiled This Week
/It's a long and not particularly shocking story but the saga of Gleneagles' Centenary course goes something like this: celebrity designer creates very modern design that doesn't go over well, new architect comes in and makes things worse according to players who might be future captains
Read MoreMonty Now Openly Campaigning For 2014 Ryder Cup Captaincy!
/The winning 2010 European captain has always said it's not for him to nominate himself for the 2014 gig at Gleneagles near his home, and he said he would "not be promoting myself in that way."
But as Jim Black reports, Colin Montgomerie is promoting himself in that way...
“I was on the last one, so I know how it works. About 15 to 20 players, including a few ex-captains and potential captains, decide and their recommendation goes before George O’Grady, the chief executive of the European Tour, for approval. He has never opposed their recommendation in the past, as far as I am aware.
“This year was as easy as it could possibly be. Jose Maria Olazabal is two years younger than me and the transition was seamless. 2014 is more of an issue and there are a number of candidates – Clarke, Bjorn and McGinley, three of my vice-captains for a start, and then me.
Oh and then you? It used to be just the first three. Nice to see you've come around to the merits of your candidacy!
Please, go on...
“If you go back to the days of Jacklin and Gallacher – and I don’t believe the rules have changed – yes, there is an opportunity to do it again and I know for a fact that Ian Woosnam’s name was mentioned for Wales.
“So there is a possibility that might happen, but I won’t be putting my name forward. It is up to someone on the committee to say and I’ll leave the room again, as I did last time.
Oh Monty, you are such the gentleman!
Jack Prepping 2014 Ryder Cup Venue For Inevitable Floods
/Christopher Elser notes changes Jack Nicklaus is making to his design at Gleneagles, which has also been modified by David Kidd.
Rainsuit & Umbrella Lobbies Applaud '14 Ryder Cup Date Announcement
/From SkySports, which reports the weather was awful announcement of the September 26-28 playing at Gleneagles in Scotland.
Read MoreMonty Continues To Insist He's Not Interested In 2014 Captaincy But Will Take The Job Only--ONLY--If Asked
/I thought this headline to Bernie McGuire's Reuters story was misleading: "Montgomerie Interested In 2014 Ryder Cup Captaincy."
That said, Monty sure can't shut his trap about the '14 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles, this time after Sandy Lyle suggested Monty would be a strong candidate.
"I don't know where Sandy is coming from but that's just his own opinion, I suppose," Montgomerie told reporters on the eve of the Andalucian Open on Wednesday.
"But whether or not I am captain in 2014 depends on how things go in 2012 and what the committee's feeling are.
"I am just there to support the Tour, as I've always said," Montgomerie added.
"Anyway, I am sure I will be involved because of my affiliation with Gleneagles whatever that might be.
"But if asked again, and because of my involvement for and with the Tour over the years, I would have to accept. Only if they wanted me.
"But they would have to approach me. I wouldn't be approaching them."
Sounds like someone still wants to run the ship!
Monty Will Decline '14 Captaincy When He Is Not Asked
/Kevin Ferrie reports that Monty, who wouldn't have been asked, has announced in Jim McLean style that he's would turn down the 2014 Ryder Cup captaincy and he pegs Paul McGinley for the job.
Read More“That's still a work in progress with the PGA of America and the PGA Tour to try and secure an earlier date for the match."
/Nice spot by Mike Walker at golf.com who points out George O'Grady and Richard Hills' remarks about the next European Ryder Cup moving up to sometime in September, pending confirmation from the PGA Tour. Considering the PGA Tour hasn't announced at 2011 schedule yet, it would seem a bit premature to lock in 2014 when no TV deal has even been discussed yet.
European Ryder Cup director Richard Hills said that the date was still being negotiated with the PGA of America, but that the rain-soaked 2010 Ryder Cup in Wales, which took place in early October, was a factor in getting an earlier date.
“That's still a work in progress with the PGA of America and the PGA Tour to try and secure an earlier date for the match,” Hills said. “I think they all saw what happened, and the request is being listened to, but it is still a work-in-progress as TV schedules are agreed on that side of the pond.”
"The end result is a 7,225-yard par-72 layout encompassing five holes from the despised Centenary course, 11 from the King's and two from the Queen's."
/Anticipating the 2014 Ryder Cup disaster that is to be held at the Centennary course at Gleneagles, John Huggan cooks up a composite course at the famed resort as an alternative idea.(Here's the Google aerial if you want to try and follow.)
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