Should Azinger only play Woods in the singles?

[John_Findlay]

Just watching some Ryder Cup highlights on telly and got me thinking.

Clearly you can't leave Tiger out of the Ryder Cup team, as he has an annoying habit of being top qualifier every year. However, if he had the bottle, should Azinger bump Tiger from the team matches?

Here's Tiger's record in the Ryder Cup so far;-

Singles; 3 wins, 1 loss, 1 half = 3.5/5
Foursomes; 3 wins, 6 losses, 1 half = 3.5/10
Fourballs; 4 wins, 6 losses, 0 halves = 4/10

Clearly, he's the world's best golfer. No dispute. But the Americans clearly can't find anyone who can play team golf with him. He intimidates his own team mates, for goodness sake.

SO the debate is whether a Captain should just leave him out of the foursomes and fourballs and play 2 guys who bring out the best in each other instead to garner more points for the team. At the end of the day, team-wise, he's a big fat loser.

Eh, by the way, here's Garcia's record;-

Singles; 1 win, 3 losses, 0 halves = 1/5
Foursomes; 8 wins, 0 losses, 0 halves = 8/8
Fourballs; 5 wins, 1 loss, 2 halves = 6/7

There's a team man!!

Let the debate begin....again!

 

[HTL]

I'm watching the same on Sky mate, Also impressed with Sergio.

Cant see how you could leave Tiger out of the foursome, not only due to him being so good but the American fans would go nuts. I reckon he has changed since he became a Dad, he seems much more relaxed and like he is enjoying his golf. I reckon this years Ryder Cup could be the one that he shines.

 

[birdieman]

I reckon you play him but only with Furyk. They're decent partners. Furyk wouldn't get unsettled by anyone, rather the other way round i.e. you wouldn't want to watch Furyk's action too many times close up in case it started to rub off on you!
Seppos are due a win, hope it's close whomever wins for the good of the contest.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

If anything I'd put Woods in the fourballs and not the foursomes. I think he gets frustrated when his partner doesn't always play as well as Tiger thinks they should and gets annoyed when having to play from rough or chipping instead of putting.

I think Furyk is an ideal foil. If I was Azinger I would say to Tiger in the fouballs just go out an play your own game and shoot as low as you can. I'd tell Furyk to take a more circumspect attitude and just try and play par golf.

 

[viscount17]

I don't think Furyk has won this year so by Azinger's rules does not qualify.

 

[rgs]

Agree with Homer play Woods in the fourballs only. However i dont think the Yanbks would take too kindly to seeing Woods not playing in the foursomes especially as the foursomes are first off on the Friday morning.

 

[toonarmy]

My goodness, we're all a tad naive on this aren't we?

Do we really think that the Nike-owned Mr Woods will be allowed to miss half of the contest by the organisers, TV etc.?

Not a chance. Money will talk much louder than Zinger's selection planning.

For what it's worth, foursomes is an event Woods should never play - he's too self-centred in his focus to play that team format. Fourball not so much of an issue as he can essentially ignore his partner in that.

 

[Marko77]

I would be shocked if Woods missed any of the matches.

Forget any of the commerical conspiracies, both teams need their strongest teams out at all times.

Personally, I think Woods needs to be more vocal and encouraging when playing in the Ryder Cup but it's not his way.