GOLF TOUR NEWS:SOME SERIOUS business is due to take place at Abu Dhabi this week where, apart from the likes of Pádraig Harrington and Sergio Garcia choosing the desert paradise for their first outing of the year, the PGA European Tour's players' committee will attempt to narrow down their options in nominating a captain for next year's Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor in Wales.
That Ryder Cup captaincy is expected to be the main topic on the agenda for this evening’s committee meeting, although confirmation of a captain to succeed Nick Faldo is unlikely to come until later this season, possibly not until another meeting at the Irish Open in May. Or, more probably, not until September when the qualifying race gets under way.
Who will get the job? Jose Maria Olazabal, vice-captain to Faldo in Valhalla last year, is the favourite but is lukewarm on committing to the captaincy too soon, as he still envisages a playing role next year. So Medinah in 2012 could be a more feasible option for the Spaniard.
The other contenders are Sandy Lyle, Ian Woosnam . . . and, interestingly, a dark horse in Paul McGinley, who is one of the 15-man committee who will ultimately select the next captain.
McGinley’s name has been mentioned quietly but with increasing regularity over the past few months as a potential captain. And although his friend and Ryder Cup team-mate Harrington observed recently that his belief is that McGinley still had the game to qualify as a playing member of the team, he agreed that Celtic Manor offered “an opportunity” for his fellow-Dubliner to be captain.
Certainly, McGinley is much respected on tour as a player and a person. He is one of the most articulate men in the locker-room and, as a three-time Ryder Cup winner, nobody can doubt his commitment to the team cause.
McGinley was originally selected as a vice-captain by Faldo but opted instead to try to play his way (unsuccessfully as it turned out) onto the team for Kentucky.
Olazabal, who captained Europe in the Royal Trophy in Bangkok last weekend, has said he would “love to be considered” as captain, but added: “I think maybe it is too soon . . . . I would love to be playing (in Wales). I’ve never denied that being captain of the Ryder Cup (team) is something really special, it’s a privilege. But it’s always been like that.”
Lyle has already thrown his hat into the ring for the captaincy, while Woosnam, captain at the K Club, has also indicated a willingness to return for his home event.
However, it would represent a serious about-turn in committee policy for Woosie to get the job, as there has been a move away from multiple captaincies in recent years as an increasing number of players – past and present – merit the captain’s role.
Speaking to the Scotsman newspaper, Lyle revealed he would ask Bernhard Langer, the captain in 2004 at Oakland Hills, to act as his vice-captain.
“He’s so methodical, he would provide a lot of feedback into decision-making.”
Lyle, with five Ryder Cup matches as a player, is the only one of Europe’s so-called “Big Five” – also numbering Seve Ballesteros, Faldo, Langer and Woodsman – to have missed out so far on the team captaincy.
“I can’t see any reason why not me, though. As far as available captains go, there are not an awful lot around. I look like the favourable choice.”
The 15-man committee comprises Thomas Bjorn (chairman), McGinley, Darren Clarke, Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano, Richard Finch, Joakim Haeggman, Christopher Hanell, Raphael Jacquelin, Miguel Angel Jimenez, Robert Karlsson, Barry Lane, Paul Lawrie, Colin Montgomerie, Mark Roe and Henrik Stenson.
Not all of them are in Abu Dhabi, which would indicate a final decision won’t be taken until the next scheduled meeting in May. The Americans have already selected Corey Pavin as their captain, but their qualifying campaign is over two years.
Harrington, who has moved up to number three in the latest world rankings, returns to tournament play in the $2 million tournament in Abu Dhabi. McGinley, Damien McGrane, Peter Lawrie, Rory McIlroy and Gary Murphy are also in the field.
“I’ve done quite nicely in Abu Dhabi,” said Harrington. “I like the course and I feel it’s one I’m competitive on. I am focusing hard on my preparation and I think I’ll be ready with my “A” game.”
Clarke, meanwhile, has opted to play in the Africa Open at East London on the Sunshine Tour this week rather than head for the Middle East.
Another player missing out on Abu Dhabi is Ian Poulter. The Englishman has been advised to undergo eye surgery. “I have been having a problem with my vision in poor light and my doctors have advised me that I should have this surgery as soon as possible to prevent further deterioration.
“I am relieved that the problem can be corrected with surgery,” Poulter said in a statement.
World rankings
1 Tiger Woods (US) 11.36pts
2 Sergio Garcia (Spa) 7.88
3 PÁDRAIG HARRINGTON (Ire) 6.71
4 Phil Mickelson (US) 6.71
5 Vijay Singh (Fij) 6.54
6 Geoff Ogilvy (Aus) 5.31
7 Robert Karlsson (Swe) 4.95
8 Camilo Villegas (Col) 4.75
9 Anthony Kim (US) 4.74
10 Ernie Els (Rsa) 4.61
11 Lee Westwood (Eng) 4.59
12 Henrik Stenson (Swe) 4.58
13 Jim Furyk (US) 4.29
14 Kenny Perry (US) 3.92
15 Steve Stricker (US) 3.76
16 Stewart Cink (US) 3.74
17 KJ Choi (Kor) 3.71
18 Adam Scott (Aus) 3.71
19 Justin Rose (Eng) 3.40
20 Trevor Immelman (Rsa) 3.39
21 Justin Leonard (US) 3.27
22 Mike Weir (Can) 3.24
23 Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spa) 3.23
24 Ben Curtis (US) 3.16
25 Martin Kaymer (Ger) 3.03
26 Robert Allenby (Aus) 3.00
27 Ian Poulter (Eng) 2.97
28 Tim Clark (Rsa) 2.91
29 Ross Fisher (Eng) 2.83
30 Andres Romero (Arg) 2.74
31 Luke Donald (Eng) 2.74
Other Irish
37 Graeme McDowell 2.68
40 Rory McIlroy 2.53
73 Darren Clarke 1.79
90 Gareth Maybin 1.51
