Compiled by Philip Reid
Azinger says experience overrated
AMERICAN RYDER Cup captain Paul Azinger doesn't hold with the belief that experience is critical to his team reversing the trend that has seen Europe dominate recent matches.
Asked yesterday if he was concerned at the number of rookies that look set to make his team for next month's match at Valhalla, Azinger - in the field here at the US PGA - replied: "Experience is important but it is also over-rated. Anyone who has played Ryder Cup (for the US) in the last six matches has experienced getting their ass beat . . . so, I'm not looking for experience."
The US team captain also debunked suggestions that an American team without world number one Tiger Woods might actually be stronger.
"I don't see one single positive that Tiger Woods is not in our team. I can't imagine how you can argue a team would be better off without arguably the greatest player who has ever lived, certainly the greatest player of his era."
Azinger will know the eight players who secure automatic places on the team after the US PGA on Sunday, but will wait until September 2nd to name his four wild cards. He has also received an apology from Hunter Mahan for recent comments that described players that week as "slaves". Azinger said: "Hunter's young and he feels terrible . . . he's done all the things he needs to do to correct the faux paux for him. I don't take it personal."
Tiger Woods was a keen viewer of how last month's British Open unfolded on television, but he has claimed he won't be tempted to sneak a peek at this week's US PGA. "This one's a little more frustrating for me. I'm two-time defending, and not being able to get out there and defend something I've already defended once and can't do it twice is a little bit frustrating," Woods told ESPN Radio.
Woods, who underwent reconstructive surgery on his knee after winning the US Open at Torrey Pines in June, isn't expected to play competitively again until next year's US Masters.
Irish players at the US PGA
Darren Clarke
1997 Winged Foot MC
1999 Medinah MC
2000 Valhalla T-9th
2001 Atlanta CC MC
2002 Hazeltine MC
2003 Oak Hill MC
2004 Whistling Straits T-13th
2005 Baltusrol MC
2007 Southern Hills T-42nd
Pádraig Harrington
1997 Winged Foot MC
2000 Valhalla T-58th
2001 Atlanta CC MC
2002 Hazeltine T-17th
2003 Oak Hill T-29th
2004 Whistling Straits T-45th
2005 Baltusrol MC
2006 Medinah MC
2007 Southern Hills T-42nd
Graeme McDowell
2004 Whistling Straits MC
2005 Baltusrol MC
2006 Medinah T-37th
Equipment manufacturer TaylorMade has stuck with its policy of creating new bag logos for its tour players whenever it visits a championship venue. For this week's US PGA, players will have special "Motor City Monster" logos on their bags, in honour of the course once dubbed a monster by Ben Hogan.
