Pavin's Rules Of Ryder Cup Order

Douglas Lowe reports on the one-year-out Captain's 2010 Ryder Cup preview and says Corey Pavin will not stand for cheering missed putts.

Pavin indirectly criticised Paul Azinger, his predecessor, who urged spectators to cheer when the Europeans missed. “Cheering for missed putts or missed shots is inappropriate and I think true golf fans understand that,” Pavin said.

Montgomerie reminded everyone that the Americans will be guests here. “If there’s anything that goes around I will be the first person to stamp that out,” he said.

Is he talking about a virus or noisy fans?

Now, this Guardian story includes a bit more of Captain Pavin's remarks and he seems to be laying some ground rules for just when it's okay to applaud a missed putt. A proper pause Celts, got that?

"I think it's OK to applaud after a proper pause, whatever that might be. It's fine to have some applause to show your team's just won a hole but you can't be disrespectful to the US players, and vice-versa."

Pavin, the US Open champion in 1995, cut a quiet, understated figure in today's match and that is a style crowds will get used to next year.

"I think I'm not going to be running around all over the place and patting players on the butt," Pavin said after the light-hearted match pitting him and the Welsh opera singer Bryn Terfel against rival captain Colin Montgomerie and the radio presenter Chris Evans had finished all square.

I think I'm getting a better idea why there haven't been any Pavin-Azinger phone calls.