Lehman named 2006 Ryder Cup US Captain

[Focker Singh]

I love the Ryder Cup and its intensity among the players and the fans. Almost resembling a hockey crowd to a certain extent. Tom Lehman has been named to captain the US team in hopes to end this European domination over the past few years. Can he do it? Do you think the Captain really has that much to do with the results? Obviously, its the players but the Captain is responsible for pairing the players and making sure that chemistry and team cohesion is evident. What are your opinions?

[Ego Woods]

I love the Ryder Cup and its intensity among the players and the fans. Almost resembling a hockey crowd to a certain extent. Tom Lehman has been named to captain the US team in hopes to end this European domination over the past few years. Can he do it? Do you think the Captain really has that much to do with the results? Obviously, its the players but the Captain is responsible for pairing the players and making sure that chemistry and team cohesion is evident. What are your opinions?
Don't know too much about him.....but as long as he makes even matchups and plays it cooly, I don't think Captains make a big difference in golf....it's all up to the player to pull through....I think they need to look more at picking the best 12 players to represent the US, the system they use right now doesn't seem to work out anymore....

[malarky]

I love the Ryder Cup and its intensity among the players and the fans. Almost resembling a hockey crowd to a certain extent. Tom Lehman has been named to captain the US team in hopes to end this European domination over the past few years. Can he do it? Do you think the Captain really has that much to do with the results? Obviously, its the players but the Captain is responsible for pairing the players and making sure that chemistry and team cohesion is evident. What are your opinions?
I think Lehman is a good choice. Although the Open victory is 8 years behind him, he's still turning in solid scorecards ranking 53rd in the money list. He's still got game. Plus although, not known to be one of the flamboyant players of his generation, he is even keeled and has delivered results quietly ... the strong, silent type. Most importantly, he seems like an outstanding citizen, not just a golfer, and seems to be well respected by everyone. I think the resect of the players is the most important element.

As for his leadership style, I really have no thoughts ... true to his style, I don't believe he won't be the guy that will be loud and in your face to get the team going, but you don't need that. Just look at Langer, LOL.

[Focker Singh]

Personally, I think the Ryder Cup teams should be picked entirely by the Captain. Forget all the stats and who's top 10 etc, just let the Captain pick all 12 guys. Afterall, isnt' that a captains job anyways? To pick the "best" guys? Same with the European captain. Just let them both pick! Hockey does it for the World Cup, etc. Then, the Captain can have bragging rights or wear the goat horns!!

[Queen of the Beach]

Don't know too much about him.....but as long as he makes even matchups and plays it cooly, I don't think Captains make a big difference in golf....it's all up to the player to pull through....I think they need to look more at picking the best 12 players to represent the US, the system they use right now doesn't seem to work out anymore....
hmm Ego I'm not sure if I agree with your statement. Why would they need a Captain for the Ryder cup if he doesn't make a difference? I know that the 'Captain' role for other sports such as Basketball and Hockey are very important. How is it different here? I think that team chemistry is important in choosing a winning team. I read a brief article about Lehman and based on what I read, he seemed like a good choice. Focker, do you think Lehman would be able to chose a winning team for the next Ryder cup?

[Hoz-ay]

For the US side to suceed in the next Ryder Cup they have to figure out CHEMISTRY! I think Hal Sutton's biggest mistake was to pair Mickelson with Woods & not just once but TWICE! Those 2 had no "chemistry" whatsoever! They hardly talked to each other or give each other tips. The European pairs helped each other out on every putt... these guys went about their business like the were playing against each other. Too much ego on that pairing alone. Hopefully Lehman has an answer for that. I would have gone: Woods & Haas, Mickelson & Funk, Davis & DiMarco, Toms & Furyk.
What do you guys think?

[Focker Singh]

For the US side to suceed in the next Ryder Cup they have to figure out CHEMISTRY! I think Hal Sutton's biggest mistake was to pair Mickelson with Woods & not just once but TWICE! Those 2 had no "chemistry" whatsoever! They hardly talked to each other or give each other tips. The European pairs helped each other out on every putt... these guys went about their business like the were playing against each other. Too much ego on that pairing alone. Hopefully Lehman has an answer for that. I would have gone: Woods & Haas, Mickelson & Funk, Davis & DiMarco, Toms & Furyk.
What do you guys think?

I vote for Hoz-ay to be named 2006 US Captain!!!! haha...nice pairings...I also agree with chemistry being very important...

QB,
Unfortunately the way the system is now, Lehman can't pick his own team. He only has 2 "captains picks" but the other 10 are from the ranking system which I personally think is "fark". ie: Love III sucked all year and got on the team..he didn't do anything at the Ryder Cup.

Let the Captain pick all 12 guys...thats the BEST WAY!

[Queen of the Beach]

I vote for Hoz-ay to be named 2006 US Captain!!!! haha...nice pairings...I also agree with chemistry being very important...

QB,
Unfortunately the way the system is now, Lehman can't pick his own team. He only has 2 "captains picks" but the other 10 are from the ranking system which I personally think is "fark". ie: Love III sucked all year and got on the team..he didn't do anything at the Ryder Cup.

Let the Captain pick all 12 guys...thats the BEST WAY!
Oh I didn't know that was how it worked. Hmm...looks like they need to shake up how the Ryder Cup teams are picked. The way it's done now doesn't seem fair?

[Ego Woods]

hmm Ego I'm not sure if I agree with your statement. Why would they need a Captain for the Ryder cup if he doesn't make a difference? I know that the 'Captain' role for other sports such as Basketball and Hockey are very important. How is it different here? I think that team chemistry is important in choosing a winning team. I read a brief article about Lehman and based on what I read, he seemed like a good choice. Focker, do you think Lehman would be able to chose a winning team for the next Ryder cup?
Captain's pick the matchups and such, but that's as far as they can go.....they can try and motivate their team mates, but in golf it's different.....u can only motivate yourself to do well...golf is an individual sport.........it's not a team game, where ur job is to motivate a group of ppl that play together, ...all the competitors in golf are only focused on beating the opponents given to them.....

[Focker Singh]

Captain's pick the matchups and such, but that's as far as they can go.....they can try and motivate their team mates, but in golf it's different.....u can only motivate yourself to do well...golf is an individual sport.........it's not a team game, where ur job is to motivate a group of ppl that play together, ...all the competitors in golf are only focused on beating the opponents given to them.....

I agree that golf is an individual sport and that one should have to motivate yourself but in Ryder Cup golf I think teammates can motivate each other not only outside the course but on the course too. Scoreboards are all around the courses at each even so players and spectators can see who's doing what. So seeing that one player is doing well or not doing so well can motivate the others around to either step up or keep the momentum going by making a big putt. The galleries also play a factor. If a player is "hot", the other teammates around the course will know just by hearing the roars and cheers.
But I agree, its not like hockey or football where a Captain or anyone player can single handly carry a team on their back and win.

[Queen of the Beach]

Captain's pick the matchups and such, but that's as far as they can go.....they can try and motivate their team mates, but in golf it's different.....u can only motivate yourself to do well...golf is an individual sport.........it's not a team game, where ur job is to motivate a group of ppl that play together, ...all the competitors in golf are only focused on beating the opponents given to them.....

Just wondered then...how does the Ryder Cup captain create pairings/match ups? Does he choose pairings based on stats given to him? Or does he choose the pairings based on friendships or players that get along with each other? IMO, the worst thing for the captain to do is to pair 2 people together who will compete against each other and not the other opponents.

[Focker Singh]

Just wondered then...how does the Ryder Cup captain create pairings/match ups? Does he choose pairings based on stats given to him? Or does he choose the pairings based on friendships or players that get along with each other? IMO, the worst thing for the captain to do is to pair 2 people together who will compete against each other and not the other opponents.
Keep in mind this is only for the US Team, the Europeans have a different way of selecting their team. When the team is finalized based on the Ryder Cup requirements (wins, top 10 finishes, money earned over the past 2 years) the top 10 make it to the team automatically. The US captain can then choose any 2 players that he wants. After the 12 players are selected, the captain will then choose which players he wants to play in each format (2vs2 alternate, 2 vs 2 best ball, and singles match play) and when they will tee off. The captains have no idea who will be playing against whom. One captain might put all his top players to go first and the other captain might put all his weakest first. Basically, chemistry is the most important. ie: Tiger and Phil were paired this year and everyone knows they aren't on best terms. I think that hurt. The captain needs to know who gets along with whom and who plays the best in whichever format. Hope this helps you out QB?