David Toms shows interest in being the US team captain in the 2014 Ryder Cup
After leading the European team at the 2012 Ryder Cup, Jose Maria Olazabal withdrew his name from future considerations for the position of the captain.
According to the Spaniard, it sometimes becomes torturous for the captain to lead the team, especially when the squad does not perform well in a specific round.
For Olazabal, it might be an agonizing experience. On the other hand, there are a few who pray to get an opportunity to lead their own continent’s team in the biennial event.
David Toms, who has represented the United States team in three Ryder Cups, has showed his interest in becoming the US Captain in the next Ryder Cup competition.
According to him, he last spoke to the PGA of America officials in August, during the week of the PGA Championship. After that, he never heard from them.
Talking to the media, Toms said that it will be an honour for him if he gets an opportunity to lead the American team in one of the most-followed team events in the world.
"I'm not sure exactly what the process is," Toms said. "I don't see myself politicking for that job – you either get in on your own merit or you don't. I just hope I get that opportunity”.
In the meantime, he also admitted that it will be a difficult task to leave his family behind in the United States and participate in the tournament in Europe.
Hal Sutton, who captained the US Ryder Cup team in 2004, also believes that Toms can be a good pick as a captain in the event to come in 2014.
"There are a lot of things that would make David a good captain," Sutton told The (Shreveport, La.) Times at Medinah.
Sutton added, "He's mild-mannered and well-respected, both as a person and a player. The PGA thinks a lot of David, I know. He always represented the U.S. as a player very well and he would as a captain, also”.
Sutton also confirmed that he never talked with the PGA of America officials about the appointment of the future captain for the US team.
"I've never been approached by anybody about a future captain," Sutton said.
A total of four veteran players have been shortlisted for the 2014 Ryder Cup, to be held in Gleneagles, Scotland. The names include Jeff Sluman, Scott Verplank, Fred Couples and Toms.
Toms also stated that he will surely try to make it to the team as a playing member. According to him, playing members get the opportunity to control the outcome of the matches.
Therefore, it is always good to have clubs in hand, while entering the field of the Ryder Cup. Nonetheless, captaining the team will also be a once-in-a-life opportunity for him.
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