Ryder Cup - Pavin wants polite heckles

Eurosport - Mon, 12 Oct 20:37:00 2009

USA captain Corey Pavin will have no problem if home fans celebrate missed putts from his team at next year's Ryder Cup - as long as they leave a polite gap before applauding.

GOLF 2009 Ryder Cup Corey Pavin - 0

Pavin is promising an understated style of captaincy at next October's event and the American would ideally like a corresponding performance from the crowd.

"Obviously the fans (make it difficult)," Pavin told Reuters in an interview after playing nine holes of the Celtic Manor course that will host next year's event.

"Eighty per cent are going to be cheering for the home team and that's tough."

He added: "I think it's OK to applaud after a proper pause, whatever that might be.

"It's fine to have some applause to show your team's just won a hole but you can't be disrespectful to the US players, and vice-versa."

The slightly built American, US Open champion in 1995, cut a quiet, understated figure in the match and that is a style crowds will get used to next year.

"I think I'm not going to be running around all over the place and patting players on the butt," Pavin said after the light-hearted match pitting himself and Welsh opera singer Bryn Terfel against rival skipper Colin Montgomerie and radio presenter Chris Evans had finished all-square in glorious weather.

"There might be a player who needs a word of encouragement here and there but all these guys are professionals, they know how to play and to compete and I expect them to come in here and be ready to go.

"They know how to deal with the pressure. I might say something here and there but for the most part I'll be a quiet captain."

Pavin was a playing member of the last US team to win the Ryder Cup on European soil, back in 1993. He knows the quest to repeat that feat could prove to be frustrating on a personal level.

"As a player I have control," he said. "As a captain, I'm at the mercy of my players."

Reuters

Comment 1 - 8 of 8

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  1. Shove it right up the MF's

    From phil, on Fri 6 Nov 6:22PM

  2. Shove it right up the MF's

    From phil, on Fri 6 Nov 6:22PM

  3. Shove it right op the MF's

    From phil, on Fri 6 Nov 6:22PM

  4. Shove it right op the MF's

    From phil, on Fri 6 Nov 6:21PM

  5. understated eh - would never had thought that of Corey­ -after all he was one of those who wore an army hat at­ kiawah island

    From Nigel, on Sun 25 Oct 11:17PM

  6. i hope the americans get the same treatment that they­ gave us last year only worse. As for that redneck­ donkey boo weekly he brings the game off golf down a­ few notches with his ignorant way he should not be­ allowed on a plane. Time for rory to take on the dark­ one.

    From mdonn0202, on Wed 14 Oct 7:31PM

  7. #2

    From Abc, on Wed 14 Oct 11:42AM

  8. Corey. What a short memory you guys have!!!!!! You must­ be joking, I can't wait to give you guys some of­ the " Freindly banter " we experienced last­ year, Only last week at the presidents cup on the very­ first day a member of the international team had to­ walk away from his put twice because the same phone­ started to ring and the 2 caddies from the American­ team where seen to be laughing ( Do you know who I mean­ Steve Williams), and the security had stated there was­ no chance of mobile phones getting through their tight­ checks, yeah, right.
    You can expect cheers when you­ miss short putts, you can expect coughing at inoportune­ moments and we will see if your team can keep their­ cool as our guys did.
    Sorry, Corey....you have got no­ chance.

    From bobprytherch, on Tue 13 Oct 4:18PM
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