Feisty Sutton sets the stage
Reads the riot act to Woods, ends U.S. apologies
By KEN FIDLIN -- Toronto Sun
Hal Sutton was a firebug with a pack of matches and some gasoline yesterday. The American captain's opening salvo of Ryder Cup week was a controversial, often hilarious and extremely honest news conference in which he zinged the Europeans and even some of his own players.
In recent years, the Ryder Cup matches themselves have provided plenty of incendiary material themselves but Sutton seemed determined to spray some excelerant on the tinder.
He started off with an announcement that runs contrary to the wisdom of most past captains when he declared that none of his players will know who they are playing with in the foursomes and fourballs until after their final practice session on Thursday.
The prevailing thought always has been that partners should work together during the practice sessions so they can be comfortable when the matches begin.
"No," Sutton said.
"These guys prepare every week of their lives on their own. I told them (Monday night), 'be prepared to beat the other two guys by yourself and if I give you a little help, then that's a bonus.' So they have no clue who they are playing with.
"If they know who it is, they begin worrying about their partner's game instead of worrying about their own game. So we are worrying about our own game this week."
He moved on to the issue of Tiger Woods, raving about the dethroned No. 1 before revealing that he had, more or less, read Tiger the riot act. In his three Ryder Cups, Woods' record is just 5-8 and Sutton thinks he must do better.
"Oh man, I was out there watching him play," Sutton said. "I'm licking my chops over it. I don't think he's in any slump. I would aspire to be in one his slumps."
But then he went on to talk about conversations he has had with Woods in an attempt to get him fired up about Ryder Cup. The inference was that Tiger has been less than enthusiastic in the past.
"Tiger is a busy man," Sutton said. "He is run all over the world. He's trying to be the best he can be while living in that fish bowl. Maybe he doesn't look ahead that much.
"I started trying to make him look ahead at the beginning of this year, or actually two years ago when they announced me as captain. I talked to him about the Ryder Cup and his involvement and how important it is for him to be at his best in order for the U.S. Team to win.
"Now, I know that nobody needs to give Tiger Woods a pep talk. He holds himself to the highest standard. All I wanted to say was, 'Hey, Tiger, it's time you felt this was important. This is going to be an area where you're judged down the road. They are going to judge you by this. This is going to be another barometer of success for you. Let's give it all you have and lead this team.
"I feel strongly that Tiger Woods is ready. I think y'all might see some of Tiger's greatest golf this week, so buckle your chin straps."
And then Sutton had a parting shot for the Europeans when the subject of past Ryder Cup emotion that has spilled over into poor sportsmanship, chiefly at the 1999 matches in Brookline, Mass. The question was asked by James Lawton, the eloquent wordsmith who graces these sports pages each Sunday, but whose chief assignment is to create daily masterpieces for The Independent in London.
"You said," began Lawton's question, "that you're committing yourself and your teammates to victory. And that you would use anything legitimately within your powers. In the past, this ambition on both sides of the Atlantic has produced emotions that some have felt are not in the spirit of golf. Are you concerned that the need to win might produce some side effects like that?"
Sutton responded with some force.
"Look, y'all have been like a bad marriage partner. We've apologized for five years for what happened in 1999. So y'all need to forget about that. The American players, if we had it to do over again, would not have run out on that green.
"The truth of the matter is, we're going to be ourselves. I've told all of our players, 'be a gentleman and be yourself.' We're all going out there and we're going to be ourselves. No more apologies."
And then he left the news conference as he had begun it.
All fired up.
