Ryder Cup: Capt. Pavin Should Stay Away

The U.S.Ryder Cup Team is in trouble.  The European team has the momentum, and the lead heading into the singles matches at Celtic Manor.

This Ryder Cup has been nothing short of a disaster for the team from America.  The clothing the team was wearing no only looked horrible, but wasn't even functional in the rain.  Some of Corey Pavin's picks as a captain have been questionable, and the team looks uninspired.

What is a captain supposed to do at this point?  Give a rousing "Win one for the Gipper" speech?  Get President Obama to make a call to each of the players?  No, none of that will work at this point.

The best thing Pavin can do at this point is to not show up.  That also includes the vice-captains or whatever they are called.  Let the players figure it out for themselves.

The matches have been set, so there is nothing else foe the captains to do.  let the players and caddies get out their on their own and play.  It may break all the tension and let the players relax.  Isn't that what these individuals on the U.S. Team do best, fend for the themselves? 

Monday is it, we are out of time and there is no margin for error.  Corey, stay away and let them players win or lose at this point on their own.  You haven't done anything to help up to now, what are you going to say to change the fortune of this bunch.

U.S. With A lot of Work to Do in Ryder Cup

The U.S, may currently lead 6-4 in Ryder Cup matches completed, but that's just on paper.

Team Europe was leading all six matches when darkness stopped play at Celtic Manor. The Americans still had the lead. It just didn’t feel that way. And with so much European blue on the scoreboard, it didn’t even look that way.

No points are awarded until a match is over, but it was looking good for Europe—especially with Lee Westwood and Luke Donald handing Tiger Woods one of his worst beatings ever in a Ryder Cup. They were 4 up over Woods and Steve Stricker through nine holes.

The weather for Sunday looks wet, and that could also favor the European team.   Any stoppage in play on Sunday, would result in the first Monday finish in Ryder Cup history.

In order to keep the cup, the USA will have to comeback and steal a couple of the matches currently underway.  It's going to be a tough task.  If the Americans lose, look for Corey Pavin to feel the wrath of the worldwide press.

Officials Hope Ryder Cup Can Finish on Sunday

It's going to be a challenge, but Ryder Cup officials are hoping to still finish the event on Sunday.

To do this, they have rearranged the schedule, and that appears to favor the European team.

The new schedule calls for six alternate shot matches in the second session instead of the normal four, and two alternate shot and four better ball matches in the third session. That means all players will be out on the course for both sessions.

The Eurpoean team is thought to have more depth, so the U.S. can rest the players they wanted to do a couple days ago.

None of the four matches was completed on Friday, but the U.S. team rallied late and was leading in two and all-square in another. Europe was leading one match.

Officials say they hope to finish the team play Sunday morning, then try to fit in the 12 singles matches. All 28 points will still be at stake.

“We felt that we must do everything we can to finish the Ryder Cup on Sunday, the chosen day, while maintaining the integrity of the match,” said George O’Grady, the chief executive of the European Tour said. “If you look at what we are doing now, we are still playing for 28 points. Both captains have fully agreed.”

The weather forecast for Sunday is for rain, meaning there still could be a Monday finish.  Break out the rain gear!

ProQuip Suits European Ryder Cup Team Just Fine

I have to give it up to Monty and the Euros.  While the U.S. Ryder Cup team was looking like sponges soaking every bit of water on the course in their rain gear, the Euros were looking at home in a driving rain.

The reason, the Euros actually put some thought into choosing its rainsuits knowing the weather could and probably would be wet and miserable.

A Scottish company call ProQuip is the early star of this Ryder Cup.  ProQuip supplies the European team with its rain gear.

Richard Head, the managing director for ProQuip Ltd. in Edinburgh, Scotland, said his company has been supplying the European team since 1983, and the American team occasionally, most recently 2004.

For some reason, maybe because U.S. Captain Corey Pavin let his wife choose the wardrobe for the team, the U.S. team was wearing Sun Mountain rain gear.  That was until everybody realized it didn't work and U.S. officials headed over to fan's merchandise tent to buy Pro Quip attire for the team and caddies.

"They requested 20 suits, but I'm not sure who they were for — whether it was players or simply caddies and team officials," Head said of the American team.

U.S. player Stewart Cink emerged from the team room for a television interview wearing a tan rain suit with short sleeves.  I guess now we know who they were for.

When he was appointed captain nearly two years ago, Pavin said his wife, Lisa, would be helping him pick out the team uniforms.

"Lisa has an unlimited budget with clothing at home, so I just want to give you guys a fair warning right now about the clothing," Pavin said that day.  Great, when was the last time Lisa played 18 in the wind and rain of Scotland?

I just wish the U.S. players could get on Twitter to say how they feel about the rain gear they were originally forced to wear.  Oh, Corey Pavin blew that one too.

Not a Sunny Day at Sun Mountain Today

You think there will be some meetings in the conference rooms at Sun Mountain today?

Sun Mountain Sports of Missoula, Montana is the supplier of the rain gear that was used by the U.S. Ryder Cup team this morning in a downpour that brings back memories of Noah and an ark.  The problem is the rain gear did not repel the water causing players to wonder how this was chosen by team officials.

I'm sure that Sun Mountain makes great products, but this one didn't make the cut in Wales.

The team has abandoned the Sun Mountain gear and is going with gear bought at the merchandise tent.

Here are some postings from Sun Mountain's Facebook page that are goingto comeback to haunt them.

 Ouch... may the team with the best outerwear win.  Apparently the U.S. team doesn't have a chance.