Top Europeans can lay down some early Ryder Cup markers
THE RYDER Cup might still be seven months away but both team captains will be casting their eyes over events at the Match Play Championship in Tuscon this week.
It might be early in the season but it’s certainly an opportunity, should the draw go to form, for one or two Europeans to gain a psychological advantage over potential opponents in September.
Luke Donald will be looking to defend his title and although he struggled in his final round at last week’s Northern Trust Open he’s got to be considered a contender.
If I was to select one European to do well this week, however, it would be Sergio Garcia. The Spaniard, a couple of poor misses with his putter aside, showed last week he’s in the sort of form which helped him win consecutive titles at the back end of 2011.
Garcia’s cause will be advanced by the high-profile absence of Phil Mickelson, who has chosen to take a week off rather than continue his fine recent resurgence. Lefty is as physically fit as I’ve seen him for 10 years and his game is back to where it was at its peak as a result.
Bill Haas’s splendid victory in California was somewhat overshadowed by the eccentric behaviour of runner-up Keegan Bradley who drew a lot of negative criticism for his incessant spitting.
It wasn’t particularly pleasant viewing but I don’t think he should be punished. For his own benefit, however, he could do with calming down and refining his pre-shot routine – he was like a man possessed over those closing six holes.
Sam Torrance OBE won 21 European Tour titles and is a former Ryder Cup captain.
Follow Sam on twitter @torrancesam