Hal Sutton has issued a challenge to the world’s best golfer in the Ryder Cup, Tiger Woods. Woods’ 5-8-2 record is hardly on par with his typical level of play, and doesn’t come close to mirroring his success in other match play championships such as the US Amateur.
Sutton emphasized to Tiger that, like it or not, his Ryder Cup record will be used to judge him in the future. Tiger responded, at a press conference, by saying “I’m sure all of you guys probably know what Jack’s record is in the Ryder Cup, right?” he said, looking around a crowded room and getting no takers. “Anybody? No?” (Nicklaus was 17-8-3.)
Match play routinely favors the underdog, Tiger had to overcome late deficits in two of his three Amateur victories. The “rest of the world” relishes the chance to be able to say “I beat Tiger.” Phil Mickelson (8-5-3) and David Toms (3-1-1) are the only current players with winning records.
Said Sutton:
Oh, man, I was out there watching him play. I don’t know if you’ve been out there, but I’ve been licking my chops over it. I don’t think he’s in any sort of a slump right now. I aspire to be in his slumps.
And opponent (and highest ranked European member) Padraig Harrington:
His record has not been as good as he would like. He’s out to prove something. There’s definitely going to be a backlash from Tiger at some Ryder Cup. It’s going to happen. I would think it’s more of a wounded Tiger at the moment, and it would be very dangerous to play against him. He’s going to have something to prove, and I would see him as quite intimidating.
Good luck to all Ryder Cup participants.