Ryder Cup 2010: US Captain Corey Pavin, European Captain Colin Montgomerie talk to press in Wales
Banners scribbled with ‘Montgomerieshire' have greeted the American golfers without any surprise as they came out of their airport after landing in Wales. However, the US Ryder Cup team, despite being the guests, were given a low-key welcome
from European golf fans in the country.
The US team headed by Captain Corey Pavin landed at Cardiff Wales Airport at 11.05 am on their chartered flight from Atlanta. Apart from the 'Welcome to Montgomerieshire' billboards and banners outside the airport, no one greeted the team. In fact, the scenario
portrayed a routine Monday morning, when Tiger Woods, wearing dark glasses, stood next to Steve Stricker for the official photographs. Beige jackets were the order of the day but no British fans made it to the airport to welcome the Americans.
Many had expected a cold reception at the Twenty Ten course but the airport greetings came as a surprise. Despite the low key welcome, Pavin did not let his team’s morale go down. Later in the day, when Corey Pavin and Colin Montgomerie met the media, the
US skipper said that he was delighted to be on Welsh soil along with being impatient to get on with the task of winning the Ryder Cup trophy for America.
According to Pavin, he and his team had a very nice journey but they were tired because of the overnight flight. However, they were eyeing Friday’s first session to ignite a great rivalry. Apart from that, he added that they were prepared and ready for the
Europeans after a lot of hard work back home.
Colin Montgomerie, who was at the Cardiff airport to welcome his US competitors to British soil claimed, "It's been two years now since we were both selected as captains. Now it is upon us here, and we look forward to getting on the course tomorrow morning”.
While commenting on would win, Colin replied that the matches will be closely contested; therefore it was hard to predict the winner.
Both teams are full of enthusiasm and are packed with world class golfers. Therefore, till the last putts have been made, it will very difficult to say who will take the final title.
Regarding the disclosure of the pairings, both captains unanimously said that it will be finalised on Thursday morning in the opening ceremony. However, according to Pavin, he has spent a lot of time on thinking about the pairings; therefore, he has a fair
idea of what direction to pursue. Meanwhile, the US team will begin with their practice sessions at the Twenty Ten course on Tuesday morning.
The American team is composed of four veteran golfers including Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Jim Furyk and Stewart Cink. The team also has five Ryder Cup rookies in the shape of Rickie Fowler, Dustin Johnson, Matt Kuchar, Jeff Overton and Bubba Watson.
Both teams will not be using social networking sites such as Twitter or Facebook for this week in order to focus on the tournament at hand. Players from Europe and USA have reached a consensus on this issue as activities like these are source of distraction,
which can have a negative impact on a game of golf.
Pavin said, "We've decided as a whole to not Tweet this week, but first thing a week from today I am sure Tweeting will be all over the place.”
According to media reports, the Americans have travelled overseas to take the trophy back home, although they will be fighting without the home course advantage.
Only three days are left for the matches to begin and the clock is already ticking but will the Americans make their people proud and will Tiger Woods turn on his charm, is a question that can only be answered on Sunday.
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