Sunday, September 26, 1999
History favors Europeans in Ryder singles
By Kevin McNamara
The Providence Journal
(KRT)
BROOKLINE, Mass. - History is not on the United States' side
in its attempt for a comeback in Sunday's final round of Ryder
Cup matches.
The U.S. trails, 10-6, and will need 8 1/2 points Sunday to
overtake the underdog Europeans. Since the competition changed
in 1979 to have 28 points, the largest comeback ever occurred
at Oak Hill in Rochester, N.Y., in 1995. Entering Sunday's finale
that year, the Americans held a 9-7 lead. However, only four Americans
won their matches and a fifth match was halved. That allowed the
Europeans to sweep to a stunning 14 1/2-13 1/2 win.
Ironically, three of the four players who won on Oak Hill Sunday
will be under the gun again Sunday at The Country Club. They were
Tom Lehman, Davis Love III and Phil Mickelson. The Europeans need
just four more points to retain the Cup for the third consecutive
time. In the case of a tie, the Cup goes back to Europe.
The two team captains have taken different strategies in the
singles matches. The pairings are decided by matching up a 1-12
list that the captains disclosed one hour after the conclusion
of yesterday afternoon's action. Captain Ben Crenshaw has loaded
up the front of his lineup to hopefully prevent an early win by
Europe. Mark James has a weak top five, but has some of his best
talent down the stretch.
The U.S. sends Lehman, Hal Sutton, Mickelson, Love, Tiger Woods
and David Duval out of the gate first.
"It will take the chain reaction that we looked for today,"
Crenshaw said. "We need a succession of wins up front."
James said he's not ready to call it a lock for the Europeans.
"We're under no illusions. We know we have some work to
do yet," he said. "I'll tuck the boys in with a glass
of milk and say `Get a good night sleep.' "
If Europe hopes to clinch the Cup early in the day, it will
need a boost from three players who haven't hit a shot yet in
the competition. Jarmo Sandelin, Jean Van de Velde and Andrew
Coltart will be third, fourth and fifth off the tee and match
up against Mickelson, Love and Woods.
Since 1979, only two players have not competed before the singles
matches. They were both Europeans: Michael King in 1979 and Gordon
Brand in 1983. Once they hit the course, King lost to Andy Bean,
4 and 3, and Brand lost to Bob Gilder, 2 up.
James said he has perfect confidence in the three players who'll
see their first action.
"It's difficult, but they knew every step of the way what
we were thinking," James said. "I think people will
understand. I came here with the object of getting the most points
I could. I'd probably do it again the same way. I've seen them
practice. They have a great idea of the pressure they'll be under
from watching. I think they'll be ready to compete."
(c) 1999, The Providence Journal.
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