The perfect Chief Villain, again!
Last week’s President's Cup tie in Australia seemed to be going the way of The International Team all week. Captain Ernie Els had done such a good job deciding who would be paired with who for the foursomes and fourballs that a lead going into the singles was well deserved. As always the single-minded American team, to a man didn`t want to let Captain Woods down, rallied and got enough points to retain the trophy. Woods being a playing Captain was overjoyed and relieved at the same time. Is there nothing this man cannot achieve in golf?
Els, on the other hand, was visibly disappointed at the result. Some players definitely came to the party and enhanced their reputations, especially among the International players and some, well, a little less as they contributed very little to the scoring. Once again, a boisterous Aussie crowd had the perfect chief villain in a certain Mr P. Reed. After the continual days of banter from the spectators, Reed and his caddie just had had enough. His caddie (and brother in law) finally "bit" and manhandled a fan. This only brought further embarrassment for Captain America as his caddie was "suspended" from duty for the singles on the final day. What a fiasco! I think the saying goes..."if you can`t take the banter don`t do the crime" The supporters were niggling away at Reed all week after the "improved lie" saga at Tigers event. It didn`t spoil the event but this will be remembered as much as the golf itself. Should they have perhaps banned Reed from the singles? A caddie is easily replaced (especially when it’s your coach doing the looping), so had The American Team been docked a singles point with Reed on the suspension, the score may have been completely different and could anyone argue it wasn`t in the spirit of the game? Something Jack, Gary and Arnold would have tried to install in these matches since their inception. We will never know. Roll on the Ryder Cup, should be some cauldron in Wisconsin next year.
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