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U.S. Ryder team better without Tiger

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The Americans are a better Ryder Cup team without Tiger Woods. The idea of addition through subtraction of the world's best player sounds crazy, but the Americans become less aristocratic without Tiger's special care and feeding. Whom to pair with him? How to keep him motivated? Kenny Perry nailed it before the Buick Open six weeks ago when he suggested that despite the challenges of losing the greatest player around, the United States "may become a tougher team" in Woods' absence. The Americans lose the Ryder Cup because they lack the Europeans' joie de vivre. The Europeans enjoy the team aspect, playing as though they truly enjoy being in one another's company, while the Americans coexist like somebody counting away the minutes until the houseguest who has overextended his stay finally leaves. U.S. Ryder Cup team captain Paul Azinger strongly disputed any perceived benefits.

Detroit Free Press

Tiger Woods, Scott Halleran/Getty Images Tiger Woods, Scott Halleran/Getty Images
August 7, 2008  10:16 AM ET

"The Americans lose the Ryder Cup because they lack the Europeans' joie de vivre. "

No. I'll say it AGAIN, Americans just don't give a crap about the Ryder Cup. What's wrong with that? NOTHING!!!! No one in American golf thinks of this as a worthwhile tournament or title.

August 7, 2008  10:32 AM ET

Oh, I don't know AF. I think it's worthwhile and I sure as hell like watching it.
Maybe I'm really in the minority here.

August 7, 2008  10:35 AM ET

I've been saying the same thing for a while. Tiger is a primadonna and has managed to bring down our Ryder Cup teams every time he shows up to make his obligatory half assed effort.
He is without a doubt the most talented player in the world today, yet he hasn't done squat in the Ryder Cup.
AFScott, gotta disagree. The players want that cup back in the US, and most of the fans appreciate the team competition.

August 7, 2008  10:41 AM ET

I'm with you Helen -

I look forward to it every year (well, every other year)

August 7, 2008  10:43 AM ET

Helen:

I believe, in accordance with the last report from the Cato Institute, that blind women are sitting at #6 on the minority index. After Unipod Seasonal Workers, and right before Air Traffic Controllers with Night Blindness

August 7, 2008  10:44 AM ET

Incidentally, Johnny Cakes...our venture into the meadow outside of town has been sumarily cancelled for today. I no longer feel that I can trust you.

August 7, 2008  10:47 AM ET

Yeah, take the best player in the world from the team and they're better. What fool believes this? How about this - take Sidney Crosby off the Penguins - maybe they'll try harder and be better for it.

August 7, 2008  10:59 AM ET

Space -

Perhaps. But I'm also Dutch/Comanche on my father's side and Puerto Rican/Jew on my mohter's side. That should count for and extra spiff or two.

JC -

Careful in engaging the Space Anus. He is a vast hole.

August 7, 2008  10:59 AM ET

Well...they can't have Brett Favre either on this year's team...he;ll be busy in NY!

August 7, 2008  11:00 AM ET

*and? an.

August 7, 2008  11:02 AM ET

Tiger hasn't done squat on the Ryder Cup Teams.
And Cindy is only the 2nd best player on the Pens.

August 7, 2008  11:05 AM ET

*mohter's?

My braille keyboard is wearing out.

August 7, 2008  11:28 AM ET

Tiger is a great solo player, but crappy team player... kinda like Kobe

August 7, 2008  11:33 AM ET

Tiger is a great solo player, but crappy team player... kinda like Kobe

IamRightYouAreWrong | 08/07/08, 11:28 AM
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Leave KOBE out of this debacle!

August 7, 2008  11:40 AM ET

Helen:

Your detarity, though limited, is still impressive none the less. I'm glad you 86'd that Annie Sullivan minx!

August 7, 2008  11:40 AM ET

Excuse me..dextarity...thank you

August 7, 2008  11:49 AM ET

Tiger may be the best but, he doesn't play with the fire of someone dedicated to winning this tourney or this title. And without motivation, he just another guy out on the links.

Perhaps that's why some believe the team is better off without him. But if he ever locks-in to Ryder Cup play and decides to focus and concentrate, look out.

August 7, 2008  12:26 PM ET

What was the US' excuse before Tiger came on the scene ???

August 7, 2008  12:38 PM ET

Drew Sharp should tell us something we don't know.

Woods detracts from the cup cause. Always has. Always will. Because it's a side-bar for him. It's important for the media and the host town--Period.

Watch next month. People across this country will be screaming to get the friggin Ryder Cup over so they can key in on football--that's what's important to them. Not golf.

The best thing that could have happened to Azinger to bring the American's together as a cohesive unit was to remove the prima donnas.

You don't see the Euros strutting around like peacocks--they work as one unified team. Hell, I would keep both Furyk and Mickleson benched the entire friggin weekend.

And for God's sake I hope Azinger doesn't pick Verplank. He's the most over-rated player on the planet.

 
August 7, 2008  04:32 PM ET

"Tiger is a great solo player, but crappy team player... kinda like Kobe"

Even if I concede the notion that Tiger's a "crappy team player", how is Tiger to blame when guys he's NOT partnered with can't make putts or find fairways? LOL.

"You don't see the Euros strutting around like peacocks--they work as one unified team."

Sergio Garcia, like Seve Ballesteros before him, does nothing but strut around like a peacock come Ryder Cup time.

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