Tour News
5 Reasons: Should Davis Love be the 2016 U.S. Ryder Cup captain?
[quote_box_center]“It’s premature to discuss the 2016 Ryder Cup captaincy. We’re not prepared to comment at this time.”[/quote_box_center]
So said the PGA of America in a statement yesterday.
Premature? Heck, we’re only 588 days away from the beginning of the 2016 Ryder Cup! Next thing you know, they’ll be telling us that the final week of the regular season is too soon to talk about our team’s upcoming draft picks.
But really, everyone else is weighing in, so why not join the chorus?
Here are a quick five reasons Davis Love should be the 2016 Ryder Cup captain — as well as five reasons he shouldn’t.
Should
- It doesn’t really matter who the captain is.
- As Golf Digest’s Dave Shedloski tweeted: “@Love3d to return as Ryder Cup capt. in ’16. Why? Were it not for Rose and Poulter putting shenanigans, US would have won in ’12 easily.”
- He played in six Ryder Cups, most recently in 2004. Experience is good. Recent experience? Even better. Tom Watson hadn’t played in a Ryder Cup since 1989 and hadn’t captained a team since 1993.
- He still routinely plays on the PGA Tour and thus has a player-player relationship with the squad, having just turned 50. If camaraderie is key, this should go a long way.
- He played ball as part of the Ryder Cup Task Force and has been part of the selection process from the beginning. He’s the result of the new selection process. If you trust the Task Force, then you have to trust that it selected the best available candidate.
Shouldn’t
- The Telegraph’s James Corrigan: “This will be all about Davis Love and the exorcising of his Chicago Ghosts. And so, a character who does not even get to hit a ball will command the spotlight. They never learn, do they?”
- He was on the task force… isn’t it weird that he had a hand in recommending himself?
- He’s not Fred Couples.
- He’s not Paul Azinger.
- He wasn’t particularly good in the Ryder Cup and certainly doesn’t have the critical areas of Foursome and Fourballs mastered (he’s 3-5-1 and 3-6-2 respectively).
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
GolfWRX is on site this week in McKinney, Texas, at the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson (FKA the AT&T Byron Nelson).
Last year at TPC Craig Ranch, Jason Day ended a five-year winless streak. J-Day is in the field again, as are Jordan Spieth, Tom Kim, and Will Zalatoris.
We have our usual assortment of general galleries, WITBs, and pullout albums for your perusal. As always, we’ll continue to add links to additional albums as they make their way to us from the Lone Star State.
Check out links to all our photos below.
General Albums
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Monday #1
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Monday #2
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Tuesday #1
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Tuesday #2
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Tuesday #3
WITB Albums
- Pierceson Coody – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Kris Kim – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- David Nyfjall – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Adrien Dumont de Chassart – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Jarred Jetter – North Texas PGA Section Champ – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Richy Werenski – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Wesley Bryan – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Parker Coody – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Peter Kuest – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Blaine Hale, Jr. – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Kelly Kraft – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Rico Hoey – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Pullout Albums
- Adam Scott’s 2 new custom L.A.B. Golf putters – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Scotty Cameron putters – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Ben Griffin playing Maxfli golf ball
See what GolfWRXers are saying in the forums.
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 Zurich Classic of New Orleans
GolfWRX is live on site this week at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans for the PGA Tour’s one-and-only two-man team event.
As usual, general galleries, WITBs, and pullout albums — including some pretty spicy custom putters and headcovers — await your viewing.
Be sure to check back for more photos from the Big Easy, as we’ll continue to update this page with additional galleries throughout the week.
General Albums
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Monday #1
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Monday #2
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Tuesday #1
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Tuesday #2
WITB Albums
- Alex Fitzpatrick – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Austin Cook – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Alejandro Tosti – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Davis Riley – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- MJ Daffue – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Nate Lashley – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- James Nicholas – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Kevin Streelman – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Rasmus Hojgaard – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Tom Whitney – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- SangMoon Bae – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Daniel Berger – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Rory McIlroy – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Russ Cochrane – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Aldrich Potgieter – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Steve Stricker WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Drew Brees WITB (Legendary New Orleans Saints QB) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Derek Carr (New Orleans Saints QB) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Thriston Lawrence WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
Pullout Albums
- MJ Daffue’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Cameron putters – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Swag covers ( a few custom for Nick Hardy) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Custom Bettinardi covers for Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Doug Ghim’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Patrick Cantlay spotted testing a Scotty Cameron blade putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 RBC Heritage
GolfWRX is on site this week at Harbour Town Golf Links on Hilton Head Island for the RBC Heritage. Plenty of golfers who competed in the Masters last week will be making the quick turnaround in the Lowcountry of South Carolina as the Heritage is again one of the Tour’s Signature Events.
We have general albums for you to check out, as well as plenty of WITBs — including Justin Thomas and Justin Rose.
We’ll continue to update as more photos flow in from SC.
Check out links to all our photos, below.
General Albums
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Monday #1
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Monday #2
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Tuesday #1
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Tuesday #2
WITB Albums
- Justin Thomas – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Justin Rose – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Chandler Phillips – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Nick Dunlap – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Thomas Detry – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Austin Eckroat – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Xander Schauffele – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Jason Day – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Will Zalatoris – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Patrick Cantlay – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Ludvig Aberg – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Collin Morikawa – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Sam Burns – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Stephen Jaeger – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
Pullout Albums
- Wyndham Clark’s Odyssey putter – 2024 RBC Heritage
- JT’s new Cameron putter – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Justin Thomas testing new Titleist 2 wood – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Cameron putters – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Odyssey putter with triple track alignment aid – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Scotty Cameron The Blk Box putting alignment aid/training aid – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Cameron putter – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Odyssey Ai One Eleven T putters – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Christian Bezuidenhout – testing new Callaway Ti 340 mini driver – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Rory McIlroy testing the new TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver Copper – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Xander Schauffele testing the Callaway Ti 340 mini driver & the DUW – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Byeong Hun An, two new L.A.B. Golf putter builds with “T” alignment – 2024 RBC Heritage
See what GolfWRXers are saying and join the discussion in the forums.
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HKVP9
Feb 20, 2015 at 1:08 pm
This guy has it completely right! These guys are far too individualistic to be competitive in the Ryder Cup or any team oriented competition. Arrogant, self centered, egotistical, non-competitors only interested in a check and not winning one for the country. Nothing more than mass produced plain vanilla wrapper club swingers.
leftright Feb 19, 2015 at 10:34 pm
Davis is a good guy and about as exciting a watching grass grow, watching the WNBA, watching paint dry, watching the LPGA on Sunday, walking leisurely to stretch a sore knee, etc. The US golfers are in the same mode as the whole country, the air has been let out of the ball, the sail has no wind. The US has been so marginalized politically and in sports, Americans (some) are now believing it. These guys have no guts, they are metrosexuals, they all look alike, talk alike, dress alike, swing alike, have the same looking wives, live in the same neighborhoods, see the same shrink, use one of 3-4 teachers. They are boring. I haven’t watched a golf tournament since last April and won’t watch another until April. Society has robotized everything, it welcomes insanity because everything else is boring, not news worthy or exciting. I don’t like that either and half the guys in the NBA and NFL would be occupying our state penitentiaries if they weren’t employed as athletes and that still doesn’t work for some of the bigger idiots out there. The coach doesn’t play, it is quite simple…take less strokes than your competitor. I wish I could coach them, give me a closed room and some promises and handshakes and they will be scared to lose. No one is scared to fail anymore. Second place is not so bad. Where are all the competitors, certainly not on the PGA tour. They all need to do a self evaluation and stop just playing along. Get mean and in your face. The Europeans are stronger competitors currently. Maybe if we could get some military guys out there to show them real hurt, they might get it.
leftright
Feb 19, 2015 at 10:34 pm
Davis is a good guy and about as exciting a watching grass grow, watching the WNBA, watching paint dry, watching the LPGA on Sunday, walking leisurely to stretch a sore knee, etc. The US golfers are in the same mode as the whole country, the air has been let out of the ball, the sail has no wind. The US has been so marginalized politically and in sports, Americans (some) are now believing it. These guys have no guts, they are metrosexuals, they all look alike, talk alike, dress alike, swing alike, have the same looking wives, live in the same neighborhoods, see the same shrink, use one of 3-4 teachers. They are boring. I haven’t watched a golf tournament since last April and won’t watch another until April. Society has robotized everything, it welcomes insanity because everything else is boring, not news worthy or exciting. I don’t like that either and half the guys in the NBA and NFL would be occupying our state penitentiaries if they weren’t employed as athletes and that still doesn’t work for some of the bigger idiots out there. The coach doesn’t play, it is quite simple…take less strokes than your competitor. I wish I could coach them, give me a closed room and some promises and handshakes and they will be scared to lose. No one is scared to fail anymore. Second place is not so bad. Where are all the competitors, certainly not on the PGA tour. They all need to do a self evaluation and stop just playing along. Get mean and in your face. The Europeans are stronger competitors currently. Maybe if we could get some military guys out there to show them real hurt, they might get it.
Tom
Feb 19, 2015 at 4:13 pm
boy, they stunk this up. DLIII is not going to get people interested in the RC. Azinger? Yup…
geoga
Feb 19, 2015 at 1:20 pm
hahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!! What a joke this RC has turned out to be. The “good ole boys” win again. Nothing changes and nothing will change until they get someone who relates (?) to these players. Sounds like once again politics were involved (wink-wink). I am a fan of DL# but this is going to go nowhere. The Europeans are too good.
Johnnie McFarland
Feb 19, 2015 at 12:33 pm
Fred Couples or Lee Trevino. Both are easy going, low maintenance guys and both appear to be low key, fun loving guys. Not too serious about themselves. Neither would get all caught up in the hype and would take a lot of this media driven pressure off the team. Just go out, have fun, and kick butt.
Playing for Couples would be like playing “with” Couples and who wouldn’t want to play for Trevino, a excellent teacher/leader who has been there and done that. He still has the “common touch” and he wouldn’t “baby” any prima donnas. He would expect his players to “man up” and not make excuses about “pods” and other new age “touchy-feely” security blanket and “I need my bottle at this temperature at this time” crap.
Lee
Feb 19, 2015 at 1:13 pm
Golfing genius Lee Trevino undoubtedly is/was for me he sure didn’t do a great job in 1985, when he expected his him to just turn up and win. If I remember rightly the US media were even calling for him to get his clubs and go play halfway through the match. 15-13 Europe by the way.
Mike T
Feb 19, 2015 at 12:00 pm
1. Freddie 2. Couples 3. Freddie 4. Couples 5. Freddie
Bruce
Feb 19, 2015 at 11:52 am
The captain makes no difference because the underlying problems remain. A whitewash committee cannot fix a thing. We select a match play team from a group of highly independent highly paid stroke play players. Too much emphasis on placing experience on the team when the experience has a loosing record. The younger hungry fresh out of college player with recent TEAM experience does far better. The US never gels as a team and will not in 2016. Another victory for Europe.
Hopefully the USGA wakes up and solves the problem.
Scud
Feb 19, 2015 at 9:57 am
How many times are we going to hear, “it boiled down to who wanted it more”. All players want to win badly; the guy who played better won, not because he wanted it more than the other guy.
Pooch
Feb 19, 2015 at 9:46 am
If DL3 takes another Ryder Cup position Captaincy and loses he stands to tarnish a long career.Nothing to gain everything to lose.
Steve H
Feb 19, 2015 at 8:33 am
How many putts will DL3 make in the Ryder Cup? The captain of the Ryder Cup team is the most over hyped position in sports. It boils down to the 12 guys on the team and little to do with the captain. And to break it down even more, the Ryder Cup, is a putting contest. Whoever hole the most putts – wins. Simple as that.
Ponjo
Feb 18, 2015 at 3:22 pm
The pressure will be massive on DL3 as on home turf again. People in the UK see this as a bit of a steady the ship pick. Zinger would surely have installed the street fighting capabilities that are required in all players and not just your Patrick Reed’s.
Darren Clarke has the backing of all the senior European players so why don’t the US do the same and ask the big guns who they would like.
Next captain is Jiminez so Europe pretty much sorted for next 4 years.
wiffmax
Feb 18, 2015 at 11:38 am
DL3 is a good pick! If this doesn’t work out he can go double for Kevin Spacey in House of Cards. Being serious though he got his 2012 team into a position where it boiled down to what U.S. & European players wanted the win more.
Chris
Feb 18, 2015 at 11:02 am
If you dont think Freddie will be there as part of the coaching staff you’re crazy. He will no doubt be out there in some capacity.
Also, DLIII appears to already be willing to jump in front of the bus for his players, something Watson clearly wasn’t equipped to do, so at least we have that going for us.
Al
Feb 18, 2015 at 8:39 am
1. It doesn’t really matter who the captain is. It’s not as if the captain calls plays, coaches, or offers instruction, it seems mostly a ceremonial appointment.
Disclaimer: I don’t care 2 whits about the Ryder Cup.
Tim
Feb 18, 2015 at 8:14 am
Golf is only a semi team sport – you can’t compare it to football or any other major team sport the dynamic is not the same. It doesn’t mean the coach isn’t important, but its a totally different discipline.
For reference to scratch Kelly – every competitive club golfer in Europe plays foursome golf. Its usually one of the main matchplay competitions to win after the club championship – maybe you should start playing this format more
yaisaidit
Feb 18, 2015 at 8:05 am
DL3 is the biggest choker in golf. Want to watch a guy fold? DL3 is the man.
Al
Feb 18, 2015 at 8:40 am
Not Tiger…?
ron
Feb 18, 2015 at 10:16 am
Dude… really?? C’mon meow.
Scott
Feb 18, 2015 at 3:22 pm
I disagree. I say Jim Furyk is the biggest choker in golf.
don davis
Feb 18, 2015 at 1:52 am
Davis Love is a rerun. Did we not learn last time with Tom Watson? He had his chance and lost . Somebody else deserves a shot. Azinger and Couples were probably asked and turned it down. Love was number three on the list. Reminds me of the presidential election Bush, Clinton, Bush , Clinton. Come on America, we are loosing interest in a over thought out, bloated sporting event.
Scratch kelly
Feb 17, 2015 at 7:34 pm
This move makes the ryder cup unwatchable for me. They continue to do that same old thing with the same old people. And I’m a big DL3 fan. Loved him game throughout his career. But this is wrong. I’m sorry but I’m done watching or attending this event. I don’t like alternate shot- stupid. Nobody plays it that I know in my 55 years of playing. And the way the team qualifies is wrong. And the captain thing is still a mess. I said watson would be a monumental mistake. And i really like tom. But his style mixed with today’s players what I was in record as saying would be a total failure. So I wont matter the the pga when I’m gone. They’ll be fine and probably make millions producing an unwatchable event. I hate all the usa chants. Euro singing. It was always supposed to be a players event. Built on class and gentlemanly rules of competition think jones. I just hope the rest of the your is holding an event nearby so I can watch the young and deserving play their hearts out. I wish DL3 all the best. He’s a good man. But should not be this teams captain. Can’t wait for masters. Open. Open. Pga. Memorial. Palmer. Tpc. FedEx. Houston.
Gubment cheez
Feb 17, 2015 at 7:25 pm
Maybe Europe should name Seve their captain
They can put a picture of his face on a stick and let someone with 3 eyebrows carry it around…you know so it averages out
Joe
Feb 17, 2015 at 7:13 pm
I know Davis and Freddie have been pretty close over the years. Any chance Freddie is named a vice captain?
BigBoy
Feb 17, 2015 at 3:57 pm
Pick Ben Hogan as your captain and ya still gonna lose.
Greg V
Feb 17, 2015 at 3:43 pm
The PGA of America is “trying to grow the game.”
If that be the case, why not provide a captain with some personality, or charisma? Davis is a perfectly nice individual, I am sure. But a “grow the game” captaincy?
No.
John
Feb 17, 2015 at 3:27 pm
+1 . Euro players just want it more than the US Players.
Adam S.
Feb 17, 2015 at 3:06 pm
Last time I checked, the Ryder Cup captain doesn’t hit any shots.
Rich
Feb 17, 2015 at 3:54 pm
If you or anyone else thinks the Captain doesn’t play a part in the results, you must never have played a team sport. The coach, manager, captain etc etc of any team play a major role in the mental state of a team and thus morale and performance. It’s just that simple.
Adam S.
Feb 17, 2015 at 7:21 pm
I have played many team sports. The US got outplayed this past Ryder Cup. It was more than just mental.
Rich
Feb 18, 2015 at 1:15 am
Oh I agree with you there but it’s not just about the players hitting the shots. If the boss doesn’t have your back so to speak, you’re not going to perform as well as if he did. Surely you can see that right?
ChrisK
Feb 17, 2015 at 10:12 pm
and Bill Belichick doesn’t run, tackle or throw. guess he’s not important, either.
Double Mocha Man
Feb 19, 2015 at 5:53 pm
I know you meant to say “Pete Carroll”.