Hal Sutton has been confirmed as captain of America`s Ryder Cup team for 2004 match at Oakland Hills. The 44-year-old takes over from Curtis Strange, who was widely criticised over his decision to put world number one Tiger Woods out last in the singles at The Belfry last month. The decision back fired badly, as Europe had clinched victory before Woods had a chance to influence the result.
Sutton said: "I am overwhelmed, honoured and looking forward to the challenge. I am in awe of it as a matter of fact. It's one of the great honours that a golfer can have bestowed on him. There is no event like it.
“It is disturbing to me that we have lost six of the last nine. We possess all kinds of talent. I don't know what the missing ingredient is other than we need to become more passionate about it. I think the players are passionate, but they show it in different ways.
“I don't want to beat Europe on course set-up. I want to beat them with sterling play. I am going to do the best I can. We need to let our talent shine. They've wanted to, but they haven't.
“I am not sure what kind of captain I will be, but I intend to be a players' captain. I am not going to cave in to every one of their desires, though.”
Commenting on Tiger Woods' poor record in the competition Sutton added: “Before long Tiger is going to shine in the Ryder Cup, I can assure you. He is too great a champion. I think what we need to do is put our best players together and secure some matches. I think our four best players will do it each and every time. I think that has hurt us in the past.”
"I kind of knew that they were going to make him (Sutton) captain," said Sam Torrance, who captained Europe to their latest triumph. "He is a good man and good luck to him. He will make a good captain."
Filed by Greg McKevitt
