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U.S. winning this 'Ryder'

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Posted: Friday August 27, 1999 08:37 PM

By Gary Van Sickle, Sports Illustrated

AKRON, Ohio -- The Ryder Cup is four weeks away, but perhaps it's not too early for members of the European team to be concerned. Except for British Open champion Paul Lawrie, who shared the lead with Paraguay's Carlos Franco after two rounds of the NEC Invitational at Firestone Country Club, the European Ryder Cuppers are struggling with their games.

Only two of the 12 American Ryder Cup team members were over par. Only three of the Europeans were under par. There is early talk that the Europeans will be heavy underdogs -- just as they were in 1995 and 1997, when they won the Ryder Cup. After two rounds of stroke play here, the score is: United States, 18 under par; Europe, 32 over par.

Five of the six worst scores belonged to Europe, led by struggling Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal, who figures to be the inspirational heart of Europe's team. He is desperately in search of his game. He shot 80 Friday afternoon and finished at 10 over par.

Colin Montgomerie and Jesper Parnevik were four over, Darren Clarke was five over, Lee Westwood and Jean Van de Velde were six over, and Olazabal was in last place.

"They've said Europe was the underdog the last two times and they've given us a pretty sound beating," said Phil Mickelson, "so I don't buy that. They've got the British Open champion and a guy who could've won the British Open, and a lot of other strong players."

It is early, but maybe not too early, to be concerned. The American team is planning to play a practice round Monday at The Country Club in Brookline, Mass. "There probably isn't anybody watching how the teams do here," said Davis Love III, a U.S. team member who was tied for sixth at three under par. "It can change week to week."

Love is a source of concern to U.S. captain Ben Crenshaw. He said he isn't feeling 100 percent physically. "I've already told Ben I'm not feeling up to playing 36 holes a day and I proved it today -- I'm wiped out," said Love, who like the rest of the field had to complete his first round Friday morning. "I've got an arthritic hip that's starting to bother me and I did something to my left shoduler two or three weeks ago that's affecting the power in my arms. I actually hurt it hitting a drive. I guess I'm getting old."

Gary Van Sickle is a Sports Illustrated senior writer.

 

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