Shedding Tears on the Straits

[Terry Lavin]

Just watched a very heartfelt interview that Rory McIlroy gave after he lost his match today. It was a very genuine expression of sadness over his failure to deliver during the Ryder Cup up to his standards.


We tend to be cynical about professionals masquerading as nationalists as they tromp around another stern test of golf, but this felt legit. What say you?

[Adam Lawrence]

Erm... Rory won his match today. Too little too late, but he did.

[Terry Lavin]

Erm... Rory won his match today. Too little too late, but he did.

Thanks for that head’s up. Switching back and forth from a football game and I missed that. But that makes his messaging even more powerful.

[John Kavanaugh]

It was a brilliant display of emotion. He comes out a big winner this week.

[Rob Marshall]

A friend of mine is related to his wife thru marriage. He was at his wedding and has spent some time with him. He says that he is just a great guy. Nothing pretentious just a class act. I always root for him.

[Tim Martin]

I loved the reaction. Rory is an easy guy to like and root for.

[Tim_Cronin]

He's a complete class act. Almost broke down completely.


Terry, you wrote you were watching a football game. Lucky you weren't watching the Bears.

[Terry Lavin]

He's a complete class act. Almost broke down completely.


Terry, you wrote you were watching a football game. Lucky you weren't watching the Bears.

The Unbearables are unwatchable.

[MCirba]

Rory bears the weight of his country and continent on his broad shoulders and does so with class, intelligence, and dignity.

[Jerry Kluger]

Rory has always shown how much he appreciates his success but at the same time recognizes that there are many important things in life in addition to success at whatever your profession.

[Kalen Braley]

Ian Poulter was getting a bit teared up near the end of his match too.

This group of Euro vets aren't used to getting their asses handed to them and the young crop of American players are only gonna get better, so I suspect there was even a bit more going on.

But as Terry said, I appreciate the Euro's for keeping it classy in the face of petulant behavior from some of the US fans, and even some of the players...

[Rob Marshall]

Ian Poulter was getting a bit teared up near the end of his match too.

This group of Euro vets aren't used to getting their asses handed to them and the young crop of American players are only gonna get better, so I suspect there was even a bit more going on.

But as Terry said, I appreciate the Euro's for keeping it classy in the face of petulant behavior from some of the US fans, and even some of the players...

Rory apologized for saying shit. I wonder if   Brooks apologized to the two officials?

[Kalen Braley]

I doubt it.

Not sure if I agree with this, but its one way to look at it..

https://www.golfmonthly.com/ryder-cup/brandel-chamblee-brands-americas-behaviour-pathetic-247105

[mike_beene]

Speaking of issues I really don’t understand, it seems ( and I don’t know) that Rory has handled the Northern Ireland-Republic of Ireland issues well. Seems that could be a complex issue.

[JohnVDB]

First, congratulations to the US team for a tremendous showing this weekend.  Since I have dual citizenship I am neutral in these matches and just want to see good golf.


Rory is one of the classiest golfers and people around. He is very highly respected and liked by the USGA staff and has been very helpful in the past when asked.


Brooks behavior in this situation was very poor.  No problem with asking for the second opinion, but his reaction was uncalled for.  It was not a moment that would deserve the ultimate penalty of a DQ though in my opinion as it was not a repeated series of actions.  Unless the Ryder Cup Committee had put in a separate ode of conduct allowing for lesser penalties there is no other action allowed at that point. Even though this wasn’t a PGA Tour event, they are still probably going to fine him.


As for Sergio laughing and spitting his drink, he ask certainly tried to push the envelope on rulings in the past and has exhibited much more childlike behavior at times so he shouldn’t be too judgmental.

[Niall C]

John


It seems to me that Sergio has grown up a bit and he reacted to defeat with good grace, or at least from what I saw he did. All the Euro's did but then they had to, it was a comprehensive defeat. By and large the US team were gracious in their well deserved victory with perhaps the possible exceptions of Thomas and Berger who seem to be going through their "Sergio" period.


As for Rory and Poulter, I think their reactions during and after the singles was largely to do with how badly they had performed the day before as the Euros main strike force. In contrast the rest of the Euro's seemed to play the singles as though resigned to the overall defeat.


One thing that has surprised me a bit is how much of a pasting Harrington is getting in the UK media.


Niall

[jeffwarne]

First, congratulations to the US team for a tremendous showing this weekend.  Since I have dual citizenship I am neutral in these matches and just want to see good golf.


Rory is one of the classiest golfers and people around. He is very highly respected and liked by the USGA staff and has been very helpful in the past when asked.


Brooks behavior in this situation was very poor.  No problem with asking for the second opinion, but his reaction was uncalled for.  It was not a moment that would deserve the ultimate penalty of a DQ though in my opinion as it was not a repeated series of actions.  Unless the Ryder Cup Committee had put in a separate ode of conduct allowing for lesser penalties there is no other action allowed at that point. Even though this wasn’t a PGA Tour event, they are still probably going to fine him.


As for Sergio laughing and spitting his drink, he ask certainly tried to push the envelope on rulings in the past and has exhibited much more childlike behavior at times so he shouldn’t be too judgmental.

Perfectly stated

[Thomas Dai]

I will confess to deliberately not watching any of the Razzamatazz Cup, sorry Ryder Cup.
It’s become vaudeville golf to me over the last few occasions it’s been played to the extent that and I’ve now no desire to watch it.
From what I’ve read, seen tiny clips of and been told though, I reckon I made the right decision.
More golf, less vaudeville, less hype and less talking heads please.
Each to their own though.
Atb

[John Kavanaugh]

One thing that has surprised me a bit is how much of a pasting Harrington is getting in the UK media.


Niall

Nothing surprises me about the lack or respect Harrington gets on a day to day basis. Your typical ignorant observer has always believed that his major wins came with an asterisk. I can't recall but did he win back when Tiger quit the game for a while to try his hand at baseball?


If he hasn't already hopefully Hal Sutton will give him a call.

[Tommy Williamsen]

One thing that has surprised me a bit is how much of a pasting Harrington is getting in the UK media.


Niall

Nothing surprises me about the lack or respect Harrington gets on a day to day basis. Your typical ignorant observer has always believed that his major wins came with an asterisk. I can't recall but did he win back when Tiger quit the game for a while to try his hand at baseball?


If he hasn't already hopefully Hal Sutton will give him a call.

Or Nick Faldo.

[Kalen Braley]

JohnVDB,

Thanks for the comments!

I'm curious what you thought of the ruling itself from as best you could tell from TV coverage or otherwise.  It did seem very plausible that his follow-thru would strike the ditch.

P.S. et al.

I'm not aware of what Harrington's reputation is otherwise, but the criticism seems unwarranted.  I don't care if they had resurrected Seve himself to lead that team, the US went straight wrecking-ball on the Euros and I don't think any coaching decisions would have made a difference, even if the final tally may have been a bit closer.

[jeffwarne]

JohnVDB,

Thanks for the comments!

I'm curious what you thought of the ruling itself from as best you could tell from TV coverage or otherwise.  It did seem very plausible that his follow-thru would strike the ditch.

P.S. et al.

I'm not aware of what Harrington's reputation is otherwise, but the criticism seems unwarranted.  I don't care if they had resurrected Seve himself to lead that team, the US went straight wrecking-ball on the Euros and I don't think any coaching decisions would have made a difference, even if the final tally may have been a bit closer.

One team played better.
While Coaching is generally under rated in most sports,
it is wildly over rated in the RC.


Just show up and play-which I guess is a rare skill amongst RC coaches.

[John Kavanaugh]

Harrington should have embraced being the villain. They lost the moment they wore Packer green and yellow.


Boos that start on Tuesday lose their sting by the weekend.

[David Kelly]

One thing that has surprised me a bit is how much of a pasting Harrington is getting in the UK media.

The role of the captain, let alone the needless platoon of vice captains, is one of the most ridiculously overblown things about the Ryder Cup.

[Kalen Braley]

Completely agreed.

Unlike Basketball or Football, you can't substitute someone in or send in a play at just the critical moment.

You make once choice and then must let it ride for several hours and dozens of shots on end, and somehow you had something to do with it?  Please....

P.S.  And then to hear Azinger say it takes two years to properly prepare and coach a team?  As a full time job?  GMAFB!