Ryder Cup: Davis Love III Is The Right Choice
The American Ryder Cup task force is done “meeting” and the first major decision has been made. Davis Love III will be the U.S. Captain in 2016. In 2012 it was Love’s team that was victimized by the biggest comeback in the competition’s history. Now after the creation of this heralded and often scrutinized task force, he will be the guy to lead the U.S. once again.
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Despite the result, Love was a good captain in 2012. For the first two days it was obvious that the U.S. was the better team and that he understood the pulse of his squad. Some people could criticize him for his decision to sit a red hot Phil Mickelson / Keegan Bradley team, but even with that the Americans built up an almost insurmountable lead. Then on Sunday everything went wrong as the Europeans unleashed an avalanche of birdies to shock the Americans. It wasn’t Davis’ fault though.
He was a guy who understood his team. He had been a playing competitor for most of them for years and wasn’t too old and removed to relate to the young guns. He also has been a part of every single Ryder Cup since 1993. Other than Fred Couples and Paul Azinger, Love is the guy who makes the most sense. You need to find a captain who understands and can relate to his team. Love can be that guy.
Right now the American team has pretty much reached its crisis level. After falling apart at the seams and getting blown out this past year the PGA of America has had enough. A task force that pretty much meets underground in hidden locations has now become as much of a part of golf as birdie and eagle.
I’ve mocked, laughed at and killed the task force, but even I’ll admit it and say that they made the right choice. Picking someone like Love is exactly what needed to be done. In my mind it was either him or Azinger and no one else. Since 1999 the event has been as competive as the NBA All Star Game. Other than a victory in 2008 and the collapse in 2012 the Europeans have made mincemeat of Americans. Azinger and Love were the two captains who gave us a chance. So when we’ve reached a time of desperation it’s time to turn to the guys who know what they’re doing.
A long with fixing the American’s problems on the course the task force was put together to solve the clubhouse disaster that took place in 2014 at Gleneagles. Tom Watson just didn’t work out. The PGA gambled and thought that he would instill toughness they believed the team lacked. Instead he drove a wedge between himself and his players. Phil Mickelson was the most outspoken against Watson. After the loss in Scotland that included a benching on Saturday, Mickelson lashed out at his captain.
"“I’m just looking back at what gave us the most success, because we used the same process in the Presidents Cup, and we do really well. Unfortunately, we have strayed from a winning formula in 2008 and the last three Ryder Cups. We need to consider maybe getting back to that formula.“Nobody here was in on any decision.” (Credit Golfweek.com)"
This was a far different tone then what Phil showed towards Love after losing in 2012. “You cannot put this on him; if anything it was on me” Mickelson said. (Credit Golf Channel.com) After a monumental collapse Love still had the support of his players. They believe that he has the right plan and knows how to win. So now that they’ve reached code red it is his job to find the respirator, and he’s the right man for the job.