LET TIGER WATCH THE RYDER CUP FROM THE SIDELINES

by Doug McAllister

I am sure that many of you saw the clip of Eldrick's press conference from Firestone earlier in the week. If you didn't, here's the briefest of summaries: Tiger was asked if he would accept being a Captain's Pick for this year's Ryder Cup team. In typical Tiger fashion, Eldrick pointedly said that he was going to "Play [his] way on to the team." The reporter persisted two more times, realistically seeming to point out that a place as a Captain's Pick was probably about as good as the erstwhile "greatest in the game..." could expect. Twice more Eldrick defiantly insisted that he would make the team on his own merits. Interesting.

I have a better solution. Why not let Eldrick watch this year's competition from the sidelines or from home? Anyone remember what happened the last two times the World's Number One led our boys into the Ryder Cup? WE GOT TROUNCED! Yep. That about sums up Eldrick's influence on winning the Ryder Cup.

"But," you quickly argue, "there was 1999!"

Yes, there was 1999. But if you will kindly look back, you will note that, while Tiger did provide a needed Sunday point in the miracle comeback at Brookline, it took him, essentially, his entire match to dispatch the worthy Scot — Andrew Coltart — who wasn't even ranked anywhere in the world's top 25,000! (Of course, I am exaggerating. But you should accept the point!)

And then there is 2008. As you will recall, Eldrick was in medical exile, nursing a damaged knee that had been surgically repaired. As a result, the undisputed #1 golfer in the world wasn't anywhere to be seen. Word had it that he wasn't even communicating with other members of the American Ryder Cup Team. (Personally, I am grateful that he saw fit to totally absent himself from the proceedings. He probably thought that, given the two previous American disasters, there wouldn't be much of a show anyway.)

But a Tigerless American Team came to life and walloped the European squad so soundly that all of us were wondering how we could have doubted that a victory was possible if not expected. Stars emerged during the event that continue to shine. Anthony Kim. Hunter Mahan. An old flame was reignited as Kenny Perry, inspired by his Kentucky roots, went on a putting spree that bedazzled everyone. In short, we did just fine without Eldrick when he was supposedly at his best.

Which brings me to this season. If Tiger doesn't hold up his end of his nonsensical boast and play his way onto the team, why extend him a Captain's Pick? His game is solidly in the toilet right now and shows no signs of changing anytime soon. Why saddle the team with a toothless Tiger? Because he somehow deserves it? Hardly!

Here's hoping that Captain Pavin confabs for a couple of days with Paul Azinger and comes away realizing that Eldrick on the team, at least for this year, means nothing more than lost Ryder Cup points!

Besides a little time off will give him time to learn, again, to...

Hit 'em long and straight!