Little to fear?
Last updated: 11th February 2008
Woods: the only threat?
The USA have lost five out of the last six and Azinger is definitely trying to change things around by having four picks. I think the Europeans are in for a rough ride.
John Hawksowrth
Quotes of the week
Mark Roe reckons Europe have only Tiger Woods to fear at the Ryder Cup, but fellow Golf Night pundit John Hawksworth disagreed.
The Americans have the top three players in the world rankings in Woods, Phil Mickelson and Steve Stricker and also boast talented stars like Jim Furyk, Zach Johnson and Stewart Cink among their ranks.
But Roe feels Woods is the only American to have an "intimidation factor" and pointed out that even the world number one has struggled in matchplay events in the past.
He said: "As far as the Europeans are concerned, apart form Woods there's nobody in there that they are going to be even slightly bothered about playing.
"If you go out onto the first tee and see you are playing Woods, there is a bit of an intimidation factor there - and he doesn't play like a genius at the Ryder Cup.
"Constantina Rocca beat him at the Ryder Cup and Nick O'Hern beat him at another matchplay event.
"So Woods is a little bit vulnerable at matchplay, but he's the only one with an intimidation factor. The rest of them don't intimidate our boys at all."
But former European Tour professional Hawksworth disagreed with Roe, insisting Europe will face a tough test to retain their title at Valhalla in September.
He says the fact that American captain Paul Azinger has four selections will enable him to bring in experienced players who can cope with the drama of the Ryder Cup.
Depth
He said: "The Americans have got plenty of depth to compete with the Europeans. What they might lack slightly is the way the Europeans come together collectively, but there's no doubt about the golf.
"They've lost five out of the last six and Azinger is definitely trying to change things around by having four picks. I think the Europeans are in for a rough ride.
"They look pretty healthy - you've got Woods, Mickelson, Furyk and Stricker - that's a pretty tasty line-up.
"Then you've got Johnson whose won a major, Stewart Cink who played fantastically well at the Open last year and Scott Verplank, who has played Ryder Cup before.
"And when it comes to his four picks he may well go for someone like Davis Love and guys that are experienced and have been there before.
"I think Chris DiMarco would be a great asset and Tom Lehmann might have been in the last side had he not been involved as captain.
"He's got to have players that can stand the pressure cooker set-up that's there. Sam Torrance has told me stories about standing on the first tee with guys that have won millions and millions of dollars and did not want to hit the shot off the first tee.
"That's what the Ryder Cup does to you."
