Rory McIlroy said it best at the Ryder Cup press conference of Team Europe: “Winning the Ryder Cup while on the road is probably the most difficult thing in sports.”
McIlroy’s argument is valid, especially when you consider that the U.S. team hasn’t been able to win on European soil since the year 1993. The Euros also needed the Miracle at Medinah in order to overcome a 10-six deficit. Since then, the home team has been dominant. But what’s more worrying is that the last time there wasn’t a rout was in the 2012 edition. Sundays are largely predetermined as to who will win.
Want to make Ryder Cup great once again? Give the two most successful captains from the modern era a second chance to drive the car and see if they can win. Paul McGinley who led the Euros in a rout of the Americans at Bethpage in Scotland in 2014 would be Europe’s captain 2025. Paul Azinger who was a brilliant captain at Louisville in 2008, would be Ireland’s captain 2027.
Azinger laughed and said “That would be amazing.”
Azinger stated that “McGinley really was a brilliant Captain.” “A captain has to be responsible for creating an atmosphere, a message and getting his players to prepare better than the other team. I could have told this U.S. Ryder Cup Team that if they were in the top 6 (an automatic qualification to the team), do whatever you like, you’re on the team. But the next 6, you need to play a week or two before, or I won’t pick you. Sorry, that’s how it is. You must promise me that you will play. Everyone knew that they weren’t playing enough. “That was to me the biggest way that they out-prepared our team.”
The European players raise their captain Paul McGinley while he holds the Ryder Cup trophy.
Azinger laughed at me when I said that Tiger Woods, if he wanted the job in Bethpage, or Stewart Cink, or even Fred Couples could take the turn in 2025. But let’s move on to 2027 and end this seemingly endless streak of losing on the road. What about another shot at the captaincy in 2027? He claims that the ship has passed.
“I lobbied for the flag to be carried and the cup to be won on the road in 2010. The PGA of America said to me that there were more Ryder Cup captains than Ryder Cups. I replied, “OK, fine. They selected Corey Pavin.” They’ll get Watson (Tom), Love (Davis), and Watson (Davis). It was 17 years ago that I had a similar challenge. I feel like I’m past due. I’ll be 67. Stewart Cink is not a fair person. I think he will be a great captain. I would roll in as assistant captain. Now they’ve formed a clique. The Task Force has produced this. Cliques can be incredible. It’s important to remember that they won the Cup by just 10 points, but I believe it’s now time to break up the clique…I am worried that Tiger will want Freddie, Davis and Strick to return. I’d like to see another group of assistants in the team that could be future captains.
McGinley expressed a similar sentiment, stating that the window of opportunity for him to return as captain is closed.
“I believe we’ve nailed down the home template, but we haven’t written the template away from home. I like your way of thinking, but I believe my ship is sailed on that front. He said: “I’m 10 year away from becoming a captain. I’m 56. There’s a disconnection between the current crop of athletes.”
McGinley also recognized that for Ryder Cup Captains, winning on the road is the ultimate goal. It was once something he wanted.
He said: “I thought it would be greedy to return again. I think it is so much harder away. I’d love to have written down the away template, but I thought that it was more difficult.” “I knew that there were many guys who were waiting behind me, and I thought that it would be unfair for me to go again.”
What was once a backlog in potential captains is now a shortage, thanks to the LIV. This eliminated Ian Poulter for Team Europe, Sergio Garcia for Team America, Lee Westwood for Team Europe, Henrik Stenson and Graeme McDowell, and Phil Mickelson and Bubba Watson (and eventually) Dustin Johnson. Take this rare opportunity to find out who among these men will be able to lead his team to success away from home.
Azinger and McGinley were captains for two years, and they knew team dynamics like no one else. They are both still working as TV commentators, and they have a good grasp of the game.
Azinger replied, “I’d prefer to broadcast it. Thank you.” “It’s important to have someone who is from their generation and knows the players at this stage,” Azinger said.
What is his opinion of the leader that should lead Europe in 2025 into the hostile environment Bethpage Black?
“It will be contentious.” Luke Donald has the perfect personality. If I could, I’d love to see Sergio Garcia. But it won’t happen. If I were them, I would bring the most polished professional that I could. “If you find someone more polished and well-dressed than Luke, please let me know,” said he.
McGinley said, “It would not be surprising if Luke went again.” In an ideal world you would have two captaincies, one at home and one abroad. This would be an excellent test for the captain.
Azinger has expressed concern about the Ryder Cup in the future: Will the U.S. field its strongest team?
He said, “I am really afraid for the next Ryder Cup.” If LIV pulls as many guys from the Tour, I would not watch the Ryder Cup. This is how I feel about it. It’s not America vs Europe any more. It’s true, but not our best players. “I fear for the Ryder Cup due to LIV.”
It was first reported here: McGinley, in ’25; Azinger, in ’27. Let’s decide who is the best Captain once and for all.
