Will Seve's comments fire up the Americans?

[Cizzle]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/golf/7406259.stm

"I hope the Americans win this year in all seriousness," he told the Mirror.

"I see the Ryder Cup getting very boring because we are beating them so badly. Everybody is losing interest."

"I just hope the matches are a little bit closer because they have been no-contests," Ballesteros added.

Will this finally get the American's a win? Or will it have no impact?

[Craig Mac]

I don't know if it will, but the man is speaking the truth. With one win since 1993('99 and the US had to rally to win that one), and being dominated the last two years, I can't say I am excited to watch the Ryder Cup this year.

[Thrash13]

I can't say I am excited to watch the Ryder Cup this year.

Can you say that with a straight face? If so, I'm not sure you are really a fan of the game. The Ryder Cup is the greatest event in golf!

The United States will win one eventually, and it will be awesome when they do. They dominated this thing for awhile, and now it's Europe's turn to do the same. I'm just as excited for this Ryder Cup than any other in recent memory. Whether I am still excited the Monday following the event has yet to be determined. As for Seve's comments, I doubt they fire the Americans up anymore than they will be already. If playing in a Ryder Cup doesn't get your blood pumping, you should drop out and let someone else play on the team. The United States will be ready to go this year regardless of what anyone says.

[golf_junkie27]

Seve spoke the truth. I would not take offense to something that was true. It would stink to hear it but those are the facts.

If US players needs Seve to fire them up, as opposed to say, being inspired by actually playing in the Ryder Cup, then they don't belong on the team.

[Jack_2251]

I think that it is the American's teamwork is what is letting them down.
Apparently the Europeans share cars etc. but the americans are very solo for the week, which might explain why they lose a lot of the team events.

[golf_junkie27]

I think that it is the American's teamwork is what is letting them down.

I guess all the barbecues, team outings, ping pong tournaments, nights of socializing have been mis-reported? They lose the team events because they pair guys who don't play well, together or in some cases, have never played, together. They also lost 9 out of 12 singles matches during the last Ryder Cup.

[hawkeye]

I hope it does fire up the Americans and it will be a contest this year.

As a true golf fan - i'll always watch it and be looking forward to it. I play a lot of team golf and foresomes so it's great to see Messrs Woods, Garcia and friends show us how it's done. I watched every minute in 2006, as well as going to a practice day. I can't wait - come on America: the Ryder Cup needs you. At least give us a match this time

[Jack_2251]

I guess all the barbecues, team outings, ping pong tournaments, nights of socializing have been mis-reported?

Or I don't watch tv enough.

Sorry I didn't know that happened.

[golf_junkie27]

Or I don't watch tv enough.

No worries. It's just been said, ad-nauseum, how much socializing these guys, do. Who knows for sure, though?

I just don't want them to get scorched. Losing 9 out of 12 singles matches was embarrassing.

[Cizzle]

I did not mean fired up like angry, wrong word. I meant it more like an eye opener for the players and for us. What Seve said was true and I hope it opened our teams eyes and shows what needs to be done.

[Craig Mac]

Can you say that with a straight face? If so, I'm not sure you are really a fan of the game. The Ryder Cup is the greatest event in golf!

I have watched many Ryder Cups and it is usually exciting but there was a lack of competition the last two events and if thinking that makes me less of a fan of the game then so be it. I enjoy more over watching the 8 majors that fall between Ryder Cups. The Ryder Cup is a great event, and I will watch, hopefully it will be more competitive than the last two. Hopefully Azingers changes to qualifying will put the best players out there.

[MrKadash]

Yes Seve speaks the truth, but he also sends a shot across our bow. The Americans need to step up to the plate.

[chingali]

Being an Aussie this is a serious question to you Americans, just how much organised team golf and matchplay golf do you guys play as juniors and upwards in to your early twenties?

Us Aussies play a LOT of interclub golf, usually in the matchplay format in our formative years, say from 13 through to our early 20's and it even continues on as we get older. Also most clubs will have foursomes championships in both stroke and matchplay as well as club matchplay championships usually all of the above in sub junior, junior, open and then senior age brackets with crossover between the age brackets.

The point I am getting at is, do you Americans have as much experience playing events outside of the usual individual stroke style play as do the Europeans? From what I have seen heard read and been told over the years, the Europeans tend to play a lot of matchplay like us Aussies do. Perhaps it's simply a lack of experience with the format that is holding you back?

[JaY_B]

Because of the college golf system golf in America is pushed a lot harder as an individual game, and as far as I know team events are based on gross score anyway are they not?

In England all the matches you play for your club are either scratch or handicap matchplay and all the formats will be used.

They should bring an exhibition Florida Scramble in the the Ryder Cup, I think that would be a load of fun to watch (Sorry off topic).

[chingali]

In England all the matches you play for your club are either scratch or handicap matchplay and all the formats will be used.

Yes that is the point I was getting at, it's much the same here in Australia. It's difficult to be good at something you only play every now and then if you know what I mean. Sure when you play matchplay you still have to hit the ball and hole putts, but there is a different mindset involved.

One of the problems is that EVERY hole has an outcome riding on it, in strokeplay the pressure tends to mount as the round goes along and reaches it's peak on the back nine. In matchplay you'll have a 6 footer on the first hole for a half or a win and you do feel pressure from the very beginning of your round. Add to that the tactics involved and it can be a very different game.

[shredfit]

I think it's a mental thing with the Americans not winning. What I mean is this: Four of the top 10 in world rankings will likely be on the American team... Conversely, one of the world top 10 will likely be on the European team.

The Americans have a stonger field, and should win. This, coupled with the Americans strong desire to win(many players have said it) can and does put added pressure on the American team.

If the Europeans lose, everyone and the media will likely say... heck, look what they were up against(Tiger the Phil alone {#1 and #2}). So the Euorpeans always seem to play like they have nothing to lose... which has retained the cup for them.

[Ruari]

One hopes Seve's comments do fire up the Americans. Otherwise we may have to suggest that the recruitment area is extended to take in Canada and Mexico. If that doesn't work, maybe the Pacific area - Fiji (Vijay Singh), Australia (Scott, Baddeley, Allenby) and wherever KJ Choi's from. It does get boring being one-sided...



HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Noooooooo. Nothing Seve says will enable the Americans to beat Europe. He said it to wind up Faldo, not to boost the Yanks!
If anything, it will have the opposite effect - the Europeans will be even more fired up than usual.

And yes, Chingali, I think it has a lot to do withh the amount of matchplay we (and you, apparently) play. The next four weeks I'll be playing at least four matches, possibly six. I can barely spare the time for medals and stablefords... And every shot is a pressure shot, as you say.

I think our guys do genuinely work for the team and strive to excel for the sake of everyone else. The US team is barbecuing and socialising but that isn't quite the same as really pulling for each other. The last few years, it seems to have been the individuals have put their own performance at the top of their agenda.

[Thrash13]

One hopes Seve's comments do fire up the Americans. Otherwise we may have to suggest that the recruitment area is extended to take in Canada and Mexico. If that doesn't work, maybe the Pacific area - Fiji (Vijay Singh), Australia (Scott, Baddeley, Allenby) and wherever KJ Choi's from. It does get boring being one-sided...

Wow, someone needs to get knocked off their high horse. What about the 12 wins and one tie for the United States from 1959 to 1983? What about the event starting out as the U.S. vs. Great Britain, then going to U.S. vs. Great Britain/Ireland, and finally to the U.S. vs. all of Europe? That's expansion if you ask me.

The United States will be just fine. I'm not saying we will win this year's playing, but we will be back on top before long. It's just part of it. Europe won two in a row and tied one in the 80s before seeing the U.S. win the next two. As for the matches being competitive, they are more so than some are saying. A lot of the matches easily could have gone the American's way, and a point here and there makes a huge difference in an event like that. The end results were blowouts, but there were A LOT of matches that could have easily been swayed the other way. The more the European fans talk, the more I hope for an American blowout this time around. Most of the time, I'd rather see a close-contested match either way. But I hope it's a blowout for the red, white, and blue this time around to bring some of you off cloud nine.