After losing three consecutive times at golf’s biennial Ryder Cup, the United States finally creamed their European opponents last year.
Apparently, skill was not the deciding factor. According to The Mirror, Sergio Garcia blames it on a host of other issues.
The 28-year-old Spaniard failed to win any of his four matches in Valhalla as Paul Azinger’s team were victorious for the first time since 1999.
“The US team played their cards well,” he said. “They knew where the pins were going to be and the tees and we didn’t. The locker-room we had was really, really small and uncomfortable. I wish it had been even half the size of theirs. We had two showers, one next to a toilet.
“At the opening ceremony they played my anthem twice, once when the Spanish flag was raised and once when the Swedish flag was raised.”
Garcia claimed captain Nick Faldo’s speech at the opening ceremony had been “too long” and said Europe had needed more than one vice-captain.
But he added: “The defeat was not Faldo’s fault. Nick Faldo was not the best captain we have ever had, but I don’t think he was the worst.”
And he also acknowledged he has little in common with Irishman Harrington.
“He is not my best friend,” he said. “It’d probably not be good for us to be paired together.”
Dude, Tiger Woods wins majors standing on one leg. You can complain next time when you’ve dislocated nine of your fingers.
This is how second-tier sports such as golf remain popular in America. For one, we have the sport’s best player in Tiger Woods. However, our country’s best players can band together as a team to win these international events. When fussy Europeans complain about the “unfair” conditions while playing over here, it only strengthens the passion in the American golf fan. I’m not saying we should all subscribe to the Golf Channel — I’m just suggesting this is the same type of drama professional tennis needs. If Americans Andy Roddick and James Blake could win a Grand Slam every now and then, their countrymen would show their support, just like we did with Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi.
And since when did you have to play with your best friend to win a golf match?
