Johnny Miller's Ryder Cup comments not totally off-base

Expressing an opinion is one of the great things we have going for citizens in the U.S.A. So why is everyone berating Johnny Miller over his press conference comments?

Miller’s statement that pairings of Woods/Furyk and Mickelson/DiMarco at this year’s Ryder Cup is necessary because of previous successes is a good idea. Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson are long drivers and can “go for it” while golfers Furyk and DiMarco are strategists who can take a safer route if necessary. Just look at Phil Mickelson’s theory of “risk/reward” and you will see a perfect example of why he is paired with DiMarco.

Also, teaming inexperienced players is not necessarily a bad thing to do, as long as those players compliment each other. However these golfers are not “inexperienced". They have put in their time on the PGA Tour and with Tiger Woods taking on the role as “mentor” to help the guys with the “nuances of match-play", how could they go wrong!

The importance of complimentary combinations will win the Ryder Cup. Of course I do agree with Johnny Miller that “it’s going to be tough to win with the team (Europe has) got.” Okay, he does make a few disparaging remarks about how we have a terrible team “on paper” but again, Miller is not totally wrong. Our past losses reflect his comments and leave it to Johnny Miller to always say what’s on his mind, whether or not it meets with anyone’s approval. It’s always good to have a guy like Miller around. He allows for commentary and debate.

However, “trash talk” and ways that attempt to throw Woods off his game is totally unnecessary. Besides, it looks bad for the Europeans who, I believe, share cameraderie with both their own team as well as with the American team. Nothing that a couple of pints of Guinness won’t fix!

Anyway, Tiger doesn’t get addled much…he and Furyk finished 1-up in their match against Harrington and Montgomerie. The Europeans carry a slim lead but there is much golf left to be played!