Nick Wright previews this weekend's clash between York City Knights and Hull FC
Alex Reid looks at whether the once ever-present appearance of English clubs in the later stages of the Champions League is set to become a thing of the past
Craig Dobson looks at QPR's decision to sack Neil Warnock and replace him with Mark Hughes
James Tompkinson reviews an excellent pre-season victory for the York City Knights against Yorkshire rivals Leeds Rhinos
There are many who would dismiss golf as a slow-paced, uninspiring sport with too little fervour to be considered watchable. The 2010 Ryder cup served not only as a signal to those uninterested in the sport that it can be enthralling, but also as a reminder to golf fans everywhere that matchplay adds a new and welcome dimension to the game and should be embraced and savoured at every opportunity. This year’s competition saw the lead, and the impetus, change hands several times, and at one stage it looked as though Team USA would pull off a memorable comeback to retain the title. However Colin Montgomerie’s trump card Graeme McDowell clinched victory for Europe in dramatic fashion at the death. The nature of the win would have had even the frumpiest of golf fans fidgeting with tension and anticipation.
He’s had his fair share of speeding fines, but Colin Montgomerie will forever be a grumpy old golfer, perpetually frustrated but quietly likeable. His wife divorced him on the grounds of obsession with golf: he’s hardly a rock ‘n’ roll sportsman. However, this year he proved the ideal man to lead Europe. He’s been appropriately encouraging and fierce throughout, consolidating the talented team with the perfect blend of passion and focus. Unleashing Westwood at the perfect time was psychologically vital, and his decision to use Graeme McDowell as anchorman proved a stroke of genius, as the US Open champion held his nerve to secure a win for Europe.
Forget finding half a maggot in your apple. The worst thing to discover is an American on television talking about national pride. Despite claims that the Ryder Cup means very little across the Atlantic, Hunter Mahan broke down in tears after his defeat on the last hole to McDowell, and again blubbed during the press conference while he tried to remember the whole sorry tale. I don’t care if it shows passion or commitment, it’s pathetic. It’s disgracefully unsporting to make a lunge for media attention after defeat. The European team were the winners and deserved to have respectful and gracious opponents, not embarrassing ‘patriots’ flooding the place with slushy sentiment.
Tiger Woods’ rehabilitation may be arriving at just the right moment, and his exquisite destruction of Molinari reminded the world exactly what he can do, but there is still a great chance for Lee Westwood to sit atop the golfing world, if only for a short time. Woods’ former coach Butch Harmon called Westwood “the greatest player in the world right now.” With compliments like that, Lee would not be blamed for getting a Harmon, but the Englishman has finished in the top three in four of his last five majors, still yet to win, and risks the Monty nearly-man tag if he doesn’t get his finger out soon. Hopefully he will carry the respect, confidence and momentum now to go and be the best.
You must log in to submit a comment.
