Michael Jordan Tapped As Advisor To Ryder Cup Golf Team

07 Sep, 2012

The United States captain, Davis Love III, has enlisted the help of the basketball legend Michael Jordan as he attempts to win back the Ryder Cup.

Love confirmed his four captain’s picks for the meeting with Europe at Medinah, but the level of access he will give the five-times winner of the NBA’s most valuable player award was more notable than those wildcard selections. Little surprise was attached to the naming of Dustin Johnson, Jim Furyk, Brandt Snedeker and Steve Stricker to complete the American party.

Jordan will be at close quarters with Love and his team. The 49-year-old has previously been an assistant captain for Fred Couples – himself part of Love’s backroom team – at the Presidents Cup.

“I’ve talked to him. Michael’s going to be hanging around with Fred probably a lot and be an influence,” Love said. “I told Michael this a couple weeks ago. One of the neatest things I ever saw in the Ryder Cup was Michael riding in the golf cart with Tom Kite. He came out to watch Freddie and I play and I thought that was one of the coolest things.

“So I want my team, like Fred and I did, to get to see Michael. Rather than him sneaking around in the gallery, I want him to be seen and I want him to be in our team room, be hanging around and be a great influence.”

Love made it plain that Furyk and Stricker were always in the frame for picks on grounds of experience. Stricker is also an obvious playing partner for Tiger Woods; the pair have proved profitable in both the Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup.

“I wouldn’t want to play Steve Stricker and Tiger Woods, for sure,” added Love.

Johnson’s big hitting should be a clear benefit at Medinah and Snedeker is renowned as one of the finest putters in the professional game.

Yet Furyk has not won since 2010, has a patchy Ryder Cup record and has displayed a recent tendency – namely at the US Open – to buckle when looking to close out victory. Johnson, too, while regarded as unflappable has the 2011 Open Championship as evidence of being capable of throwing away a promising situation.

Of those who missed out, Hunter Mahan has cause to feel the most aggrieved. Mahan famously duffed a chip shot during the denouement to a crucial singles match against Graeme McDowell two years ago and was reduced to tears thereafter.

Not only would Mahan have that score to settle, he has won twice during 2012 including, pertinently, at the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship. Mahan finished just one place outside an automatic Ryder Cup berth.

Rickie Fowler and Nick Watney – the latter has been in fine end-of-season form – were also overlooked.

“I’ve been on the receiving end a couple times of ‘I didn’t pick you, I’m sorry’ phone calls. And they are tough,” said the United Stated captain. “It’s probably the least thankful part of the job, but it’s part of the job.”

Love was bullish about America’s chances of winning back the trophy at the end of this month, despite the rising stock of the opposition. There will be four Ryder Cup rookies representing the United States, in contrast to just one wearing European colours.

Rory McIlroy continued his profitable end to 2012 by adding the Deutschebank Championship to his USPGA championship success; perhaps purposely, Love failed to discuss the Northern Irishman specifically when asked about him.

“The European Team is obviously great,” Love said. “They are playing well. I know they are going to be tough. But I can tell you this; I love my team. I’m excited about my team, and I can’t wait to see how it matches up.”

TheGuardian

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