Memo to the PGA of America: Deliver Steve Stricker again as US Ryder Cup captain in 2023.
Why mess with success?
Did the Buccaneers change Bruce Arians after he led them to the Tremendous Bowl title final 12 months?
So what if this breaks precedent and interrupts the succession plan in place the place captains don’t serve consecutive phrases? The PGA of America needs to be extra involved with sustaining success than with a succession plan for captains. This can be a new period for the US Ryder Cup technology, so don’t be afraid to get unconventional.
You gained’t discover any gamers on the American group who don’t need their captain again after smoking the Europeans like a fast-burning cigar within the forty third Ryder Cup.
After the competitors was full Sunday night and Stricker and his gamers have been within the post-match interview, the captain was requested: “We all know there’s a succession, however in case you have been requested to do that once more, would you do it and what do the blokes assume?’’
The query had barely exited the reporter’s lips when Dustin Johnson mentioned, “A hundred percent.’’
“That’s a ‘sure’ from us,’’ Jordan Spieth chimed in. “To be truthful, in 2017 it was a really related place so far as the dominance goes. Strick has a fairly good report.’’
Spieth was referring to Stricker’s captaincy on the 2017 Presidents Cup when the US group ripped the Worldwide group 19-11 at Liberty Nationwide. Mix that Presidents Cup end result and 19-9 within the Ryder Cup, and Stricker’s groups have gained by a mixed 38-20. If that doesn’t warrant yet one more go, what does?
“I don’t assume it’s going to occur,’’ Stricker mentioned. “It’s mapped out and there’s guys in place to be the following captains. It was an unbelievable expertise, don’t get me unsuitable (however) I’m glad it’s over.’’
Stricker downplayed his significance and instructed that he’s able to deal with enjoying tournaments once more, however it’s troublesome to think about him turning down the chance if requested.
The seeds for Stricker’s captaincy and this resounding US victory have been sown seven years in the past in Scotland. That’s when the People — spearheaded by Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods and together with Davis Love III, Jim Furyk, Rickie Fowler and others — fashioned what was referred to as a “activity power’’ in an effort to place an finish to the European dominance.
The forming of that “activity power,’’ which was first reported by The Publish, was a “we’re as mad as hell and we’re not going take it anymore’’ second for the People, who have been fed up with the fixed dropping.
The premise behind it was to create continuity and extra participant enter, a replica of the Europeans’ blueprint. The concept was to get gamers extra invested. The come-to-Jesus second befell on the post-match dais after the People, captained by Tom Watson, have been drummed by Europe at Gleneagles in Scotland.
That’s the place Mickelson, along with his 11 teammates and Watson sitting side-by-side within the interview room, tore into the dictatorship-like captaining by Watson, who had a nonexistent relationship with the gamers, having been away from the PGA Tour for therefore lengthy.
Mickelson’s calculated rant that evening in Scotland was harsh and it was one he’s since mentioned he regrets as a result of he didn’t need to embarrass Watson in public.
Mickelson, nonetheless, doesn’t remorse the results of the rant, as a result of it ignited needed change — change that has energized the US group, winners of two of the previous three Ryder Cups for the reason that “activity power’’ was fashioned.
One of many preliminary byproducts of the “activity power’’ was bringing Love again to captain the (successful) 2016 group although he’d already captained the 2012 group, which misplaced within the “Miracle at Medinah’’ European comeback.
Stricker was part of the vice-captain pipeline on the time, being groomed for 2020 (which was postponed due to COVID-19 to ’21).
Positive, Stricker had the higher, deeper group this 12 months, however he pushed all the precise buttons, starting with the way in which he allowed the gamers to have a powerful voice in who the captain’s picks can be and with whom they’d be paired.
“It was actually simply getting out of their means, allow them to go, present an environment and camaraderie that they loved and wished to be part of,’’ Stricker mentioned.
His contact was what this group wanted. It’s what the following group wants.
“I don’t know if anyone has had as a lot expertise being a captain as I’ve, simply watching and making an attempt to determine learn how to cope with the gamers, learn how to formulate a group room, all that sort of stuff,’’ Stricker mentioned.
“I’ve been part of so many groups, captain of the Presidents Cup group, been a number of assistant captains. I’ve realized a ton. I’ve realized what issues have labored and what issues haven’t labored.’’
Stricker labored.
Widespread sense says that when one thing works you keep it up. So, do the precise factor PGA of America: Stick to Stricks in ‘23.
