The Ryder Cup format shouldn't change because it's perfect

Diposkan oleh silent aja 4:05 AM Post a Comment

Martin Kaymer, Lee Westwood, Paul McGinley, and Sergio Garcia celebrate the Ryder Cup. (Getty Images)

In Sunday's press conference Tom Watson said he wanted to change the format of the Ryder Cup to mirror what happened in 2010 when everybody played in every session.

'I would like to see the change in that format,' said Watson. 'Then everybody knows they are going to go 36 holes and then everybody knows that they have to be in shape to play.'

We already discussed how this is a ridiculous notion because Watson was just trying to re-distribute the blame heaped on him but it's also ridiculous for other reasons.

By the way, before we go further, if you think that 'everybody knows that they have to be in shape to play' isn't a dig at Phil Mickelson then you haven't been paying attention.

But back to the narrative -- the Ryder Cup format changed from 20 matches to 28 in 1979 and has remain pretty much untouched since continental European players were allowed to play.

It's a perfect melding of talent (foursomes), strategy (four-ball), and sheer, terrorizing excitement of singles play on Sunday.

If it wasn't for making captain's picks -- something else Watson wants to get rid of -- and piecing together a strategic plan for the five sessions of golf, what's the point in even having a captain?

Watson himself said he only has two jobs.

'My two jobs are to make the captain's picks and then put the team together.'

Neither of them were done very well but that isn't the fault of the Ryder Cup format. The tournament is set up in such a way that you always feel like you have a chance on Sunday.

'If we get a in here...and that guy halves...and...and...'

That's what makes it great.

So no, the format need not change, maybe just the United States' strategy around what that format is.

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