Editor's Weekly Word

We're now well into the summer with more golf behind us than in front and the highlight of the year, for me at least, is approaching rapidly. I refer to the Ryder Cup. There has been some discussion lately regarding the fairness of the selection process for the USA team and I'd just like to add my comments.

The existing system which awards points for top 10 finishes over the two year period between Ryder Cup matches was originally set up just after the second world war and little has been changed since then. However, much has changed in the world of golf and maybe the time has come to look how the system could be modified to ensure that the strongest team is selected. But where do you start?

You could work backwards. Start by picking the strongest team, then look into creating a competitive system which would come up with the same result. That would be good in theory but who decides what would be the strongest team. Possibly the Captain plus a committee of three or four others elected by the players themselves. Once the committee has selected the theoretical Team there would have to be a lot of analysis of stats etc. to devise a points system that would come as close as possible to arriving at 10 of the 12 selected players.

The European Team selection process has evolved over the years and is currently based on the raw world ranking points awarded. Not a bad idea, as the number of points awarded reflects the strength of the field in each tournament. No system is ever going to be perfect and there will always be one or two players who will feel that it does not truly reflect their claim to be included. The biggest problem I see with the whole process is that stroke play statistics are being used to select a team that will compete in a match play competition and I can't envisage more match play events being included into the Tour schedule. So here is what I propose.

At the end of June in the Ryder Cup Year a squad of 24 players would be named, based on their world rankings at that time. During the next ten weeks, four weeks, which did not clash with the majors and other principal tournaments, would be allocated for matchplay competition between the squad where they all play each other at least once. The results would be used to form a league table from which the top ten would get automatic qualification and the Captain would still get his two picks, as under the current system. Not only would this hone their match play skills but it would always help built the team camaraderie. Yes, they would be competing against each other but they would all appreciate that the end result would be the best match play team that the country could put forward.

And before anyone suggests that the top players couldn't fit four weeks of match play qualifying matches into their schedule take a look at the number of tournaments that are less than well-supported by the top players. It may cause conflict with television networks and sponsors but I have no doubt that it could all be worked out if the results were positive.

On a final note I'd like to point out that I'm just the editor of a small online golf magazine and that I probably don't know what I'm talking about. I mention this because, being British, I wouldn't want anyone to take my suggestions seriously, otherwise the European Team would be up against it to ever win the Ryder Cup again.

Have a good week.

Regards

Andy Smith
Founder/Editor
www.golfing-weekly.com

US Bank Championship Report

Carlos Franco of Paraguay collected his fourth PGA Tour title on Sunday, his second in Milwaukee. In his 1999 rookie year he won his second title at this event, then known as the Greater Milwaukee Open. The tight course at Brown Deer Park demands consistent accuracy, something which Franco is not renowned for elsewhere. But last week his stats, T2 greens in regulation (76.4%) and T9 fairways hit (75%), showed his affinity with the shortest course on the Tour schedule. Four rounds in the sixties, including the tournament's best round of 7 under par 63 on Friday, gave him a 13 under par total which was enough for a two stroke victory over Fred Funk and Brett Quigley.

Funk, the only other player to shoot in the sixties in every round, recorded his best round on Sunday, a 66, but was unable to mount a serious challenge. Quigley seemed to be putting for birdie on every hole but couldn't get them to drop on Sunday which made for a solid, if unexciting, round of 69 to claim his share of the runner-up spot and secure his card for next year.

The only serious threat to Franco came from Patrick Sheehan who held the lead briefly just befor the turn but a disastrous run of bogey on 11, double on 12 and another bogey on 13 put an end to his challenge and he finished three shots back in a tie for fourth place with Olin Browne and Billy Andrade.

The defending champion, Kenny Perry, holed a spectacular eagle from the eighth fairway to take a share of the lead with Franco and Sheehan but bogeys on 10 and 11 put paid to any chance he had of retaining the title.

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US Bank Championship Results

Par 70 - 6,739 yards

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PGA Tour Money List

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Nissan Irish Open Report

Australia's Brett Rumford dominated the final day's play at the Nissan Irish Open and picked up a well deserved four stroke victory over Irishman Padraig Harrington and Raphaël Jacquelin of France. Rumford started the day one shot behind overnight leader, felow Australian, Peter Lonard but three birdies in the first four holes took him to the front. Birdies on 10 and 12 extended his lead but when his chip on the short 15th hit the flag and dropped in, it was clearly going to be his day.

Jacquelin rediscovered his form from earlier in the season, especially with his putter, to card a final round of 67 and finish with a 10 under par total of 278. His runner-up finish here will not harm his chances of getting into the Ryder Cup team in September. With just a month to go before the team is decided, he stands in thirteenth place in the European Ryder Cup points list.

Harrington was five shots off the lead at start of play but birdied the first three holes to the delight of his home crowd. Despite their support he was unable to do more than match Rumford's five under par 67 and had to settle for yet another second place. Overnight leader, Lonard, shot a 73 to finish fourth.

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Nissan Irish Open Results

Par 72 - 7,031 yards

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Volvo Order Of Merit

Earnings on the European Tour are paid in Euros. The equivalent value in US$ is for information purposes only and was calculated at the rate which was current at time of publishing. Earnings from the majors are included in both the European & PGA Tour Money Lists.

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Evian Masters Report

Wendy Doolan came from five shots behind on the final day of the Evian Masters in France to edge out the overnight leader, LPGA world number one, Annika Sorenstam. Doolan recorded a spectacular final round of 7 under par 65, including a run of three birdies and two eagles starting on the sixth hole to give he a one stroke victory, the third win of her career. Sorenstam started the day with a one shot lead over England's Karen Stupples but struggled for most of the day. After 15 holes she was four shots down on Doolan. After picking up birdies on 16 and 17, Sorenstam had an eagle putt to force a playoff on the final hole but had to settle for a birdie and second place.

Lorena Ochoa shot a closing 68 to take third, one shot ahead of Stupples who finished with a 70. First round leader, Laura Davies took fifth place, five shots further back.

Next week the ladies contest their final major of the season, the Weetabix Women's British Open at Sunningdale in Southern England. Annika Sorenstam will be hoping to successfully defend her title and pick up her second major of 2004.

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Evian Masters Results

Par 72 - 6,192 yards

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ADT Money List

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Senior British Open Report

Pete Oakley, a club pro from Delaware, USA, shot a 2 under par final round 70 followed in the footsteps of England's Mark James at the weekend by picking up his first victory in senior competition at a major tournament. Oakley, who joined the European Seniors Tour this year, had qualified to play in the event earlier in the week and became the first qualifier to take the title in the 18 year history of the Senior British Open which is also a major event on the PGA Champions Tour schedule.

Oakley kept his cool and fought off challenges from the "big name" players including Tom Kite and Eduardo Romero who shared the runner-up spot, just one shot back on 285. Mark James continued his good form by taking fourth place and the only other players to break par for the event were Mark McNulty and Don Pooley who shared fifth spot on 287.

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Ford Senior Players Championship Results

Par 72

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Champions Tour Money List

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"Off the Cart Path" - weekly cartoon strip by Roy Doty

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Ryder Cup Points

Current standings based on latest information available.

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Official World Golf Rankings

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