Sports Then and Now

Davis Love III will be the U.S. Captain for the 2012 Ryder Cup.

Davis Love III has been named the USA Ryder Cup team captain for the 2012 tournament. This may well be one of the worst kept secrets in sport, but it takes nothing away from the significance of the moment for the man himself, the players and American golf.

The announcement was made the day after Jose Maria Olazabal was named as the leader of the European team.

Much like the Spanish captain of the Europeans, Love is a very experienced man when it comes to the Ryder Cup. He has played in six of the tournaments and was vice-captain to Corey Pavin in last year’s event at Celtic Manor.

It was of course a very proud moment for Love as he faced the media to give his views on one of the most privileged roles in sport. To play in the Ryder Cup is one thing, to lead your fellow countryman in the best golf tournament of all is another – just ask Colin Montgomerie.

Speaking to sports betting pundits about what the day means to him, Love said: “It is going to be an even bigger thrill (than playing) for me to lead a team, to watch our team, the United States team, try to win the Ryder Cup back here in Medinah.”

With European golf at an all time high and Montgomerie’s men emerging victorious in Wales last year, Love knows he has to work hard to get his team mentally and physically prepared for battle against Team Europe.

With regards to how he plans to go about this, Love commented: “My main mission is to get the players prepared for Friday morning.”

“What we have been missing is getting over the nerves of being ready to play on the biggest stage. We’ve just tried too hard and I’ll be trying to get the players as relaxed and freed up as I can.”

The 1997 PGA champion certainly seems focused on the task ahead and he now has 18 months to do all he can to put the American team in the best shape possible for the 39th Ryder Cup.

With the memory of the wind and rain on the opening morning at Celtic Manor last year still fresh, the surrounding are likely to be very different when the opening shot is played in Medinah.

Love and the US team will then be hoping that the ending to proceedings is very different too.