So, this week is one of the most eagerly anticipated weeks in the golfing schedule – The Ryder Cup at Gleneagles.
I think the reason for its huge global appeal is a combination of factors: a team event in a predominantly individual sport, countries and national pride on the line rather than individual performance, different formats, tense drama and high-quality performances. Whatever it is, the formula seems just about right at the moment!
It is also a strange one in that I watch simply as another golf fan, as being South African I obviously don’t qualify. We get to have our duel in the Presidents Cup, which takes place every two years, alternating with the Ryder Cup.
Even having played on eight Presidents Cup teams, it is difficult to explain the feelings you have as a player going into these events. Often the players will have had a long time to think about the event, some maybe as rookies looking forward to playing for the first time, others as repeat guys often charged with an extra bit of motivation having lost the last time out. Essentially, though, you’re all united by the same goal – everyone wants to win so badly, not just for yourself but also for your teammates, for the Captain, for your family and for the fans at the course and back home.
Interestingly, someone asked me recently at an event whether we as pros feel as nervous as amateurs do when they play in pro-ams or corporate days. I answered it honestly: majors have an extra edge about them and you put so much pressure on yourself to perform well with there only being four a year, and you obviously want to win. But I was also saying that I think some of my most nerve racking tee shots have come at the start of Presidents Cups. There is always a long build-up through the week and really players are anxious to just get out there and get going. There is also that added pressure of wanting to perform at the highest level for your immediate partner on that tee and all the other guys in the team who are watching from the sidelines. By the way, just watching can be nerve racking, too!
Amateurs tend to look at nerves, especially first tee nerves, as a negative and something that you need to try and control. We tend to look at it a different way. In fact, something I have experienced in these events first hand, and that we have all witnessed in the Ryder Cups, is once the matches are underway that type of environment can actually sharpen and elevate your performance to new standards. With chip, pitch and bunker shots, for example, you are often focused on holing them rather than getting close and as a consequence you really do see what seems like a high number of hole-outs in Ryder Cups and Presidents Cups.
I was actually talking to my caddie, Colin, the other day about this and how difficult it is to recreate that feel and focus when you head back into individual competition.
Anyway, I think that this week’s event will be a great one with some amazing stories coming out. You have some of the best golfers on the planet playing exceedingly good golf at the moment. I know the Europeans will be keen to win on home soil but I also think that this young US team will be galvanised to try and win the Cup back again.
I see the long-range forecast is for some okay weather with some winds picking up and maybe rain showers on one day. That could be a big factor but as always with the UK, especially at this time of the year, things may change quickly! Whatever happens I think it will be a great Ryder Cup and, as always, it will be good for the game of golf. I for one will be glued to the coverage.
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