The race for Ryder Cup points for the European Team started in earnest this week with the Quinn Direct British Masters at the Belfry being the first of a number of major events which contribute to Ryder Cup points. Sweden’s Johan Edfors was the eventual winner with the early pace-setter Daren Clarke unable maintain his sparkling form through to the final round. This win has jumped Edfors up to position 12 on both the Ryder Cup World and European points lists.
Padraig Harrington is begining to heed the warning from Ian Woosnam and is rescheduling to include more events on the European calendar. Lee Westwood on the other hand isn’t so put out to make just “one weeks golf.”
Meanwhile stateside the U.S. Ryder Cup Captain Tom Lehman admits that the pressure is starting to mount and expressed doubts over whether he will make the final ten player list for the US team.
Back in Ireland the event is also beginning to generate headlines with the Minister for Sport John O’Donoghue warning against extortion whilst the main opening event has had to be scrapped due to a lack of funds (link expired). With the vast financial support the event has received though it might be worth looking behind the curtain on this one. Finally this week it seems the US have actually won the Ryder Cup, albeit with teams journalists rather than professionals.
