Ryder Cup: Lee Westwood can star for Europe at Gleneagles, says Darren Clarke
‘Englishman will be a real team leader at Gleneagles’
Wednesday 24 September 2014 08:43, UK
Darren Clarke knows all about Lee Westwood.
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The Ulsterman and the Englishman are great pals off the course and have achieved tremendous success on it as a partnership in various Ryder Cups, teaming up on eight occasions.
Clarke and Westwood defeated Tiger Woods three times when the American was paired with the then world No 2 - David Duval (1999), Phil Mickelson (2004) and Jim Furyk (2006).
Westwood has not been in vintage form of late, though, winning just one event – the Maybank Malaysian Open, in April – since June 2012 and slipping to 44th in the world rankings.
The 41-year old – who has recorded top-three finishes in each Major but not yet managed to claim one – had to rely on a wildcard pick from European skipper Paul McGinley to be included in his ninth successive Ryder Cup.
But Clarke – who will be commentating on the event on Sky Sports’ Ryder Cup channel – says Westwood will be a vital cog for Team Europe as they try to continue their dominance of their transatlantic foes.
“Lee is the most experienced guy in terms of the players and I know he’s a guy that every other player respects,” said Clarke.
“I know that he will stand up and speak and if Lee says something in the team room the guys will all listen.
“Sarcasm is one of his better traits, but I think in scenarios like the Ryder Cup he will be a team room leader, and I think Paul [McGinley] will be lucky to have him as a team room leader.
“He knows what’s going on and he can play with anybody, so I think he’s a fantastic pick in terms of experience and the quality of his play.
“I’ve grown up and played an awful lot with Lee around the world and I know what he’s capable of.
“He could have won three Majors at this stage – a couple of things have gone against him at the wrong time – and he’s unfortunate not to have won a couple.
“But we’re not just judged on how many Majors we’ve won, it’s also the quality of the player, and what Lee brings to a team is unquantifiable.
“He’s just a real, solid team guy.”
Nerves
Rory is in a rich vein of form, he’s developing as a golfer and a person, and he’s Tiger-esque. Is he ready to be the European talisman a la Monty? I think he’s getting that way.
While Westwood treads the familiar path to the first tee of a Ryder Cup, the experience will be a new one for Scotland’s Stephen Gallacher, who joins Westwood and Ian Poulter as a wildcard pick.
The 39-year-old is bound to be cheered on vociferously by fans in his homeland and Clarke – who had to deal with the pressure of being the local hero when he played in the 2006 event at The K Club – has some advice for Gallacher on how to stay cool.
“He’ll be nervous, but he’s got to remember that the guys he’s playing with are equally as nervous and go out there, get over those first-tee nerves, and go and play,” Clarke said.
“As professionals, when we come under pressure, we rely on our routine, whether that’s one wag of the club, two looks down the fairway, or whatever.
“That’s what gets us through the biggest pressure situations that we face in our career.
“At The K Club, there was even more pressure on me than in normal circumstances, so I went through my routine - I still had no idea if I was going to top it, duff it, or hit it sideways but routine is what we all go back to when we are under pressure.
“It’ll probably be the one of the most memorable experiences of Stephen’s golfing career, if not the most, because the Ryder Cup is a very unique event.
“For Stephen to take it in up close to his home will be incredibly special for him.”
Formidable
Terms like “wounded animal” and “redemption” have been used to describe USA’s mindset and goals in the build-up to this year’s Ryder Cup, following the dramatic turnaround at Medinah in 2012.
Team America led 10-6 going into the singles matches but picked up just 3½ of the 12 points available on Sunday to fall to a stunning defeat – their fifth in six Ryder Cups.
With Tiger Woods absent through injury at Gleneagles and Europe fielding four of the world’s current top six in the rankings – Rory McIlroy, Sergio Garcia, Henrik Stenson and Justin Rose – Paul McGinley’s squad have been instilled as favourites.
But Clarke thinks USA still have an abundance of danger-men and is expecting a tight contest – and his nerves to be frayed as he watches it unfold as an analyst.
“Jim Furyk maybe hasn’t quite finished off tournaments the way he would like to, but how many times has he been up there with a chance to win this year?,” added the 2011 Open Champion.
“You don’t put yourself in that position unless you’re playing proper golf week in, week out and he’s done that.
“You’ve also got Bubba Watson, who, if he is on form over 18 holes, is a fearsome and formidable opponent as he can hit shots that very few other people can hit.
“They’ve got a captain, in Tom Watson, who commands and demands respect from all his players on his team, because of his stature and what he’s achieved in the game – and they’re hurting after what happened at Medinah.
“So I think it’s going to be very close – and I’ll be going through all the emotions.
“I’ll be doing the commentary and whatever Sky are wanting me to do, but I’ll be sweating palms watching it the same as if I was playing or a vice-captain.”
