Conference call with Dan Hicks, Dottie Pepper and Johnny Miller

[deronsizemore]

Here are some notes I jotted down from the NBC/Ryder Cup conference call with Dan Hicks, Dottie Pepper and Johnny Miller.

Majority of the questions asked were for Johnny and unfortunately I wasn't able get a question of my own in there.

Dottie Pepper: - Crowd at Valhalla will be the US's 15th club. - Heard talk of two drivable par 4's would could benefit the US and make for some very interesting golf

Johnny Miller: - US has to be more aggressive with their putting. The Euros make more putts plain and simple. - Heard from his sources that the fairway rough will be really short and the green side rough will be extremely thick. The Euros are all masters of bump and run golf and the course set up around the greens will try to take that advantage away. - The excitement surrounding the Ryder Cup has diminished over the past few events and if the US continues to get beat badly, there could be very little interest in the Ryder Cup in the coming years. - Likes Stricker the best on the team. He's a calm guy, doesn't make many big mistakes, steady from tee to green and makes putts. - Does not like JB Holmes as a pick and doesn't like Chad Campbell as a pick either although it seemed that JB was tops on his totem poll for players he wouldn't have picked. When asked about the captains picks, Johnny said "I wouldn't have picked JB Holmes, I can tell you that." Johnny would rather have seen Zach Johnson and Scott Verplank on the team in place of JB and Chad.

Thoughts on these comments?

[PEZGolf]

Here are some notes I jotted down from the NBC/Ryder Cup conference call with Dan Hicks, Dottie Pepper and Johnny Miller.

As I have said before, Captain Azinger said that he wanted players he selected to be recent winners. Of the four, NONE fit that requirement, and in fact, Mahan and Stricker have folded under pressure during the last two months. Holmes won way back in February,and I know that he is from Kentucky and can BLAST the ball, but neither of those items make up for not winning recently. In terms of Captain's picks, Faldo did a better job than Azinger and the US team really has their "backs to the wall".

[iacas]

As I have said before, Captain Azinger said that he wanted players he selected to be recent winners. Of the four, NONE fit that requirement, and in fact, Mahan and Stricker have folded under pressure during the last two months.

Did you fail to see the list of winners on the PGA Tour? His only other choices were people like Steve Lowery. You don't actually have a point, PEZ.

Duh.

[PEZGolf]

Dottie Pepper:

- Crowd at Valhalla will be the US's 15th club.

- Heard talk of two drivable par 4's would could benefit the US and make for some very interesting golf

Kenny Perry said that he wants to be paired with JB Holmes in Friday's opening matches. That would create REAL excitement among the home crowd and confirm what Dottie said about the "15th club".

[deronsizemore]

Dottie Pepper:

I agree. I was there today and JB and Perry again practiced together and everyone seems to think that they will go off together on Friday.

[dornoch]

My general observations about keys to the cup as opposed to the pro commentators:

1) Early lead, 2) Wind forecast 5 - 8 mph, 3) Crisp iron play, 4) 7 birdies just enough to win 4-ball, 5) Taking 1 less club can be effective tactic, 6) Plot order of play keeping holes 16-17-18 in mind, 7) Anybody can be benched, 8) Hope US fans polite to EUROS, 9. Fun is rare during heat of play, fun is for celebration after winning, 10) Quote of the day I wish could give Azinger, "I hate losing more than I love losing."-- Jimmy Connors Hall of Fame tennis player

[dornoch]

10) Quote of the day I wish could give Azinger, "I hate losing more than I love winning."-- Jimmy Connors Hall of Fame tennis player[/QUOTE]