Faldo Makes Controversial Captain's Picks
Ian Poulter and Paul Casey are Debatable, but not a Surprise
Aug 31, 2008
Actually it’s just one decision that has the press – and many in the golfing public – scratching their heads: Ian Poulter.
Faldo tabbed Poulter and Paul Casey to join the 10 qualifiers for the 37th Ryder Cup Matches, which take place Sept. 19-21 at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kent. The announcement was made following the Johnnie Walker Championship – which included neither Poulter nor Casey.
Both men – Englishmen, like Faldo – opted to play in the PGA TOUR’s Deutsche Bank Championship this week. Each man needed a spectacular result in order to make the team on his own merit. Each man missed the cut.
The reason so many are baffled over Faldo’s selections – or just the one – is because Darren Clarke had won on the European Tour just one week prior in the Netherlands, giving him two wins on the season, which is two more than Casey and Poulter combined. Most pundits figured Casey would get a nod, as he has played well recently in the U.S. and has a career 3-1-2 record in two prior Cup Matches. Poulter, however, hadn’t done much of anything since finishing runner-up at the Open Championship, and really hadn’t done much of anything to that point in the season.
Poulter has played in one Ryder Cup, that coming in 2004, when he went 1-1-0. Clarke, on the other hand, has a career record of 10-7-3. He’s a natural partner with best friend Lee Westwood and he’s a team leader. He was also the heart and soul of the team in ’06, in which he competed following the death of his wife, Heather, to cancer. Given all of the aforementioned facts and figures it seemed the math would equal a Clarke selection.
It did not. And, given the man making the selection, it shouldn’t have come as a surprise.
Faldo is the ultimate alpha male. He not only wants to be in control; he has to be in control. He is the commander of this year’s European squad and he doesn’t want anyone – not even a proven veteran like Clarke, who might greatly help his cause – to usurp his authority.
Plus, Faldo thrives on doing things his own way. He takes pleasure in know that his decisions might chap the hides of players and media.
Just take a look at what he said when asked if he had contacted Colin Montgomerie to tell him that he would not be chosen. Faldo said he left Monty a voice mail and then dismissively added: “He was watching football or shopping, one or the other.”
Now, was that really necessary? Of course, not. But that is Faldo.
Montgomerie never stood a chance. Despite being, arguably, the greatest Ryder Cup player ever, with a 20-9-7 record, the Scot has been having a dismal 2008 campaign. And, as evidenced by the above jab, Faldo doesn’t have much love for Monty.
Ultimately, there were three men in the mix: Poulter, Casey and Clarke. Many figured on Casey and Clarke. Faldo picked Casey and Poulter. The decision is definitely a controversial one, could possibly be a catastrophic one should they lose, but it is hardly a surprising one.
