'14 Ryder Cup Ticket Buyers Must Submit A Photograph

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A reader alerted me to this last week and I couldn't quite believe it until I read it in the Scottish Herald: 2014 Ryder Cup advance ticket buyers must submit a photo of themselves before registration opens.

The story says it's to prevent "fraud or ticket transfers, according to Ryder Cup Europe."

Aren't there less peculiar ways to discourage scalpers?

Twitter, Silence Drove McGinley's Selection

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Jason Sobel says Twitter and specifically, player tweets, led to Paul McGinley's appointment as 2014 European Ryder Cup Captain.

In the 48 hours prior to the announcement, three members of Europe’s team – the three most vital members of the team, it could be argued – publicly voiced their support for McGinley through social media.

Will Gray compiles (overjoyed its not Monty) player Tweets in reaction to the announcement.

Ewan Murray says McGinley's quiet approach to the politicking got him the job.

"It is amazing how much you learn when you listen and don't talk," he said. "I knew I had the support of the players and I knew my hand was strong. I felt the more I said, my chances would lessen."

And John Huggan says that after all the campaigning the decision was reached pretty easily and quickly.

Five men were considered: Sandy Lyle, Colin Montgomerie, Miguel Angel Jimenez, Paul Lawrie and McGinley.

"But we are 100 percent behind this captain," said Thomas Bjorn, chairman of the 15-strong committee. "It was obvious very early that a consensus was forming. We had all listened to the players on tour and it was obvious who they wanted to represent them. In the end, it was a unanimous decision and we are all 100 percent behind him."

"A gathering that will be a bit like 12 Angry Men but with three more bodies and couple of dodgy sweaters"

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That's Nick Rodgers' description of the European Tour tournament committee meeting that will decide the 2014 Ryder Cup captain Tuesday night.

Ewan Murray sums up the last minute tweeting by players on Paul McGinley's behalf and tells us when to start watching for gray smoke from the meeting room.

Derek Lawrenson says it would be a ludicrous over-reaction to the Tom Watson selection to go with Monty over McGinley.

I'll be in the Clinton Foundation "Health Matters" conference sessions all day, but I will be keeping an eye on the proceedings from Abu Dhabi!

Clarke Takes Himself Out Of '14 Ryder Race

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Paul Higham reports that a two-man race has developed after Darren Clarke pulled up on the backstretch.

"As much as I would dearly love to be captain, this may not be my time," said Clarke in Durban, where he had earlier questioned whether he whether being captain this time around would be something he wanted.

"I am exempt for another three years and if I was given the opportunity to do the captaincy, I'd effectively be throwing two of those years away.

Meanwhile, Thomas Bjorn opened the door for the Duke of Dunning...

"I don't have a strong view against appointing somebody twice," said committee chairman Thomas Bjorn. "But there are a lot of other people I think could do a very good job."