The politicians found a formidable rival yesterday in their claim for exclusive credit for bringing golf's biggest event to Ireland in 2005. "I was the first one to recommend that the Ryder Cup should go to your country," said Seve Ballesteros at Valderrama yesterday.
Clearly delighted at last week's news, the European captain went on: "It was a great decision by the Ryder Cup committee. Ireland has been a fantastic supporter of the event for years and I'm confident it will be worthy of your wonderful golf fans."
So there you have it. Forget the contributions of Bord Failte, the Rainbow Coalition and current sports minister, Jim McDaid. It was Seve who did it.
The Spaniard was in a most amenable mood yesterday. He even sought and received the agreement of US skipper Tom Kite for a change of format in this week's matches, whereby play on Friday and Saturday will start with four-balls rather than the traditional foursomes.
Why the change? "It was just an idea," he said innocently. Just an idea. Only those with dastardly devious minds would see a connection with Europe's struggle to only two halves from the opening four foursomes matches in defence of the title in 1989. And with the fact that Ballesteros and Jose-Maria Olazabal, the illustrious Spanish Armada, were the only winners in the same series at Kiawah Island in 1991, when the trophy was relinquished.
Another interesting change revealed the captain's concern for the morale of his team. "It is my intention that all of my players will have had at least one match before Sunday's singles," he said. None of his predecessors in the European captaincy has seen fit to give that assurance.
He then spoke of the advantage he will have as the designer of the infamous 17th, which is expected to be pivotal in the destination of precious points this coming weekend. "It is a beautiful and very strategic hole and I know how it should be played," he said.
Ballesteros went on: "I hope I will be able to influence the European players when I tell them the way to approach it, depending on the conditions."
The levante, or east wind, which has been sweeping the course for the last 10 days, is directly behind the players on the 511-yard par five. Which explains why Fred Couples comfortably reached the green in two while practising here on Sunday, though he was unable to achieve the same advantage yesterday.
Couples arrived here a few days before his team-mates, so as to give his suspect back the chance to relax. There is also the fact that he has not played competitively since the USPGA Championship last month.
After his practice round yesterday he was asked about what he thought of the course. "Great - lovely condition," he replied. The medal tee will be in use at the 10th, 12th, 15th and 18th holes this weekend, to facilitate the movement of spectators. This will reduce the overall length of the course by about 80 yards.
For Ballesteros, however, there was only limited time to discuss such matters. He headed for Malaga to greet the American team, who arrived by Concorde last evening.
