Ryder Cup

Washington Post sports columnist Leonard Shapiro was live from the K Club in Ireland on Thursday, Sept. 21 at noon ET to discuss the Ryder Cup and any other questions or comments you have about golf.

A transcript follows.

____________________

San Diego, California: Len,

Does the Ryder Cup concept need to be reformatted? Once upon time, the Ryder Cup was the colonies against the U.K. With American dominance came a restructuring to U.S. vs. Europe. Golf is now a global game with the power no longer totally concentrated in the U.S. and Western Europe. Europe now appears to be superior to our squad. I know that the U.S. against anyone plays well for television, but some of the world's top golfers are excluded from the marquee international competition. Stop this injustice now. Sincerely, Mike Weir's agent

Leonard Shapiro:

No way this event gets changed because it's become a huge cash cow both for the European Tour and the PGA of America. The Presidents Cup, which also is making great strides, includes international players otherwise not eligible for the Ryder Cup, and that event is gaining in popularity, as well. There has been some talk about having all three teams compete at the same time, but it's not going to happen. There's too much money involved.

_______________________

McLean, Va.: Do you think the U.S. is setting itself up for failure by all the statements saying that Tiger is the key? Tiger is only one player. Sure if he loses it is good for Europe but the key is every player on the team making some clutch putts.

Leonard Shapiro:

Tiger is a key to these matches, only because he's done so poorly in the past, with a 7-11-2 record, including losses in his last seven opening day matches. When he loses, it clearly pumps up the opposition. When he wins, and is playing well, it's a great lift to his teammates. That said, you're right. The most he can contribute is five total points, and it takes 14 1/2 to win. The other 11 need to step it up, as well.

_______________________

John, Charlotte, N.C.: Hi Leonard -- Do you feel the the pictures that recently surfaced of Tiger's wife on the Internet will affect his short game?

Leonard Shapiro:

That's really funny John in Charlotte, and will not be dignified with an answer.

_______________________

Burke, Va: The Euro's in past events have held out a couple of their "weaker" players until Sunday's singles. Do you think Capt. Tom will hold out any of our rookies until Sunday? If so, who?

Leonard Shapiro:

Both team captains said today, Thursday, that every man on their team will play at least once before the Sunday singles, and I'll take them at their word.

_______________________

New York, N.Y.: This is what bothers me about Tiger Woods: Only NOW does he take the Ryder Cup seriously? Because his wife was insulted? Len, I know you are a good guy and have seen a lot of athletes, so don't you think that Tiger's allegiance goes in order: Himself, Nike, IMG, and then his country?

Capt. Lehman had to embarrass him, and force him to sing his alma mater like the other guys before Tiger would go on THEIR schedule and do team things instead of his OWN schedule. Only now is Tiger joining his fellow countrymen in any semblance of unity.

Does this not bother you? I still think he can be the greatest golfer in the world without being so self-obsessed and obnoxiously focused solely on protecting his brand -- his own person.

Is Tiger now one of the 12, or is he still one of the one in attitude?

Leonard Shapiro:

I think Tiger has always taken the Cup seriously, but has deferred on the leadership role to some of the older players who are now no longer on the team -- Love, Couples, Sutton, etc. The incident with his wife has nothing to do with him now taking this seriously. I'm not blowing smoke -- the guy takes tidily winks seriously, and when he gets on a golf course, he's busting his gut. His record is lousy in this format, but I have no hesitation saying he cares, has always cared and burns to win any time he tees it up. He's actually a really good guy, and, oh yes, the best there ever was on a golf course.

_______________________

New York City: Do the other teammates treat Tiger differently? He seems too aloof and self obsessed to be a leader, so, outside of Tom Lehman, who is the leader of the U.S. squad?

Leonard Shapiro:

I think some of the rookies may have been a tad intimidated by him, but he made it a point to take four of them out to dinner in Akron and from all indications, he's acting just like one of the guys, which is the way he likes it. He really is a leader, along with Furyk, Mickelson and a fiery guy like DiMarco, the hero of the Presidents Cup last year in Virginia.

_______________________

Logansport, Ind.: Mr. Shapiro, thank you for taking my question. How do you see the K course shaping up for the U.S. team as opposed to the Euro team? Which side should be favored according to the course set up?

Leonard Shapiro:

The K Club is an Arnold Palmer-designed parkland course very much in the American style. It's 7,300 yards, is playing extremely long because of so much rain recently and clearly will favor the longer hitters. I think the Americans would prefer it over a links style layout you would expect in Ireland, so it clearly favors their style of play. That said, many of the Europeans play on the U.S. tour regularly -- Harrington, Garcia, Clarke, Olazabal, Donald, for example, and can play this style course as well.

_______________________

Burke, Va.: Any talk about the Internationals playing the Europeans for a Cup?

Leonard Shapiro:

Only talk, nothing concrete, but the more the money that is involved if someone would put it up, the more they'll talk. Not going to happen any time soon, I suspect.

_______________________

D.C.: Tiger Woods upset over the controversy over his wife? Who cares? He's had a love affair with the media since his career started, so he should start getting used to the positives, and drawbacks, of being overexposed. In the grand scheme of things, he's done nothing but play golf. What has he done in his position to better mankind to think he would be immune? He's collected checks from companies like Nike that have factories in Third World countries that oppress, so a little article/picture about his wife is nothing compared to a 12-year-old working 14-hour shifts making his nice shirts and slacks.

Leonard Shapiro:

I think Woods probably would have been wise not to even mention the incident in his Wednesday press conference and simply let the tiny tempest in a teapot go away. Instead it became big news in some corners of the media, especially the local tabloids and gave longer legs to a story that could have died quickly. As for his contributions to mankind, check out the learning center he just poured millions of his own dough to build in California, and other good work his foundation does. Perhaps he ought to speak out on more issues, the way Arthur Ashe once did, but that's his choice, not mine or yours.

_______________________

Arlington, Va.: I think the Golf Channel's coverage of the European Tour is far more entertaining than U.S. television's PGA coverage because they cover the event. American TV covers Tiger -- what Tiger did (today, yesterday, last year), what Tiger might do, what Tiger said, what others said about Tiger. He's a nice guy, and a marvelous golfer, but . . .

Leonard Shapiro:

You have something of a point, but guess what, Tiger usually is the story and if he's leading or in contention, how can you not put a camera on him. I disagree with your analysis of Golf Channel golf coverage as opposed to network coverage, so let's agree to disagree.

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: Do you happen to know if any of the coverage will be shown live over here or will it all be on a few hours tape delay? It takes a bit of the fun out of it when we already know what happens.

Leonard Shapiro:

I've been told it's tape-delayed coverage, available on USA network Friday and NBC on the weekend. Check your local listings in the Post.

_______________________

The rookies: Leonard:

I just saw a picture of Zach Johnson and realized I had no idea who he was. The newbies on this team seem so inexperienced that they're guaranteed to fail. Any sense of how Lehman will try to get points out of them? Thanks.

Leonard Shapiro:

You're right, the four rookies are rather obscure. Wetterich, in fact, went from Q School to the Ryder Cup in a single year. But they've all won on tour, and perhaps you may remember J.J. Henry losing in a playoff at the Booz Allen a few years ago to Frank Licklite. He's very good, and they earned their spots the old-fashioned way, by making enough points to get in the automatic top ten. I'm not crazy about the current points system, quite frankly and would prefer the team include six on points and six on captain's choices, but that's just me.

_______________________

Bethesda, Md.: Not specifically a Ryder Cup question.

There is a difference of opinion regarding drug testing for golfers. Tiger says yes, Finchem no , Euros yes for some events.

Based on the huge dollars to be made and the lack of testing, even golfers who call penalties on themselves might be tempted to take advantage of an opportunity. Not that strength will get the ball in hole, but as golf courses get longer and longer it may help some marginal players.

Are there rumblings among the players regarding this issue? Are the differences of opinion between the Euros and the Americans?

Leonard Shapiro:

I don't think there's a steroid or human growth problem on the PGA Tour, but I also believe the tour is going to have to test just to assure the public that its sport is, I assume, clean. By the way, Tiger was vocal about the tour starting a testing program, and when Tiger speaks, Commissioner Tim Finchem usually listens. I'll bet right now by the time the 2007 season starts, there will be drug testing on the PGA Tour.

_______________________

Springfield, Va.: With so many highly ranked courses in Ireland, why did they settle on the K Club for the Ryder Cup? I would think it would do more for Irish tourism to play some other "Irish" looking course.

Did it come down to how many spectators they could accommodate?

Leonard Shapiro:

Excellent question I hope to answer in Friday's paper. The quick preview is a very wealthy Irish fellow, Michael Smurfit, who owns the hotel, is a paper/cardboard magnate and lives in Monaco, owns the resort. He's poured more than $50 million in the direction of the European tour, including hosting the European Open here through 2015, and his money definitely spoke volumes. With so many classic links courses around the country, it seems a shame to be playing this week on an American-style course, and many of the players have said so privately, not wanting to offend their host. All that being said, the place can handle 45,000 spectators a day, has infrastructure to house all the teams and various officials, TV types etc, and is only 15 miles from Dublin. The course also has some neat risk-reward holes, with two par 5s in the last three holes, and should at least provide pretty pictures and plenty of television drama back in the States.

_______________________

Greencastle, Pa.: Do you think the type of ball played by the professionals in stroke play truly makes that much of a difference? Much has been made of Tiger playing a high spin ball while players like Phil play low spin, but at a certain point, good shots are good shots.

Leonard Shapiro:

At the highest level of the game, yes there is a difference in the golf balls they use, based on spin, softness etc. I've never come close to that level my self, and am still happy to hit X-outs and any ball I find when I meander off into the woods.

_______________________

Queens, New York: So, how is the Jewish kid fairing in Ireland? There must be great excitement in the pubs -- PLEASE tell us you are frequenting the local public houses! Are the people terrific or what? How bad is the traffic from Dublin to the K Club.

Give us a "you are there" synopsis!

Leonard Shapiro:

The pubs are quite nice and friendly, the Irish people couldn't be nicer and the Guinness is lethal. It's on tap in the press center after 6 p.m., but I'm trying to stay away and avoid further temptation.

_______________________

Los Angeles: Are there any events that include both the Americans and the Euros, or are they kept separate for the most part? Are any of the players mingling with the crowds in town, or are they kept in lock-down.

Having fun out there?

Leonard Shapiro:

Yes there are several events that include both teams, including a gala dinner Wednesday night at a local hotel and of course, the opening ceremonies. They do not mingle with the fans a little bit, save to sign the occasional autograph. They have heavily guarded quarters on site at the K Club, a very private team room. When they're not practicing, they're resting or working out, but you don't see them out and about at all.

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: Len -- you always write as passionately about the LPGA as you do the PGA even though we know you much prefer the later. So, since you have a reputation for being fair, why don't you cover the Irish boys more -- there are exceptional stories with each and every one of the them!

Leonard Shapiro:

The first story I did over here this week was a piece on Darren Clarke, as Irish as they get. I love writing about Harrington, and listening to his interviews in a charming Irish accent, and surely will be writing about him tomorrow when he and Montgomerie take on Woods and Furyk in the opening round at 3 a.m. in Washington, 8 a.m. here.

_______________________

Vienna: Why would the Cup be held in Ireland only to select an American-style course? With tons of great links courses available (Lahinch, Ballybunion, Old Head, etc) that are reflective of Irish golf, it seems like we're going a long way only to eat at a McDonald's.

Leonard Shapiro:

I couldn't agree with you more. Ballybunion, Portmarnock, Waterford and so many more, and here we are at a golf course where the greens fee is $450 to play a track you could find in any town in Florida.

Then again, it's still going to be an exciting three days, and thanks for asking so many terrific questions. Now it's off to the Guiness tap....no, make that back to the hotel for milk and cookies!!!

_______________________

Editor's Note: washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions. washingtonpost.com is not responsible for any content posted by third parties.