Rose: Great Ryder Cup tussle
2007-12-22 14:58
London - The rivalry between US captain
Paul Azinger and European counterpart Nick Faldo will add extra
spice to the 2008 Ryder Cup, according to Justin Rose.
"The two captains are perfect for one another," European
number one Rose told Reuters. "They had a great playing career
against each other and they've got a good history.
"Now they are commentating with one another on American
television and they've got a friendly rivalry. That's what the
Ryder Cup is all about, friendly rivalry."
The Florida-based Briton, who has leaped 45 places to number
six in the world after winning the 2006-07 European order of
merit and finishing in the top 12 in each of this year's four
majors, said the Americans were hurting after losing the last
three Ryder Cups.
"It is intense and it is fierce and I think it's got the
makings of a great Ryder Cup because the Europeans have had the
upper hand for quite some time now," said Rose.
"I am sure the Americans don't like that and will go to
Valhalla hungry."
Rose said that having six-times major winner Faldo leading
the team would be a plus for Europe.
"He is the most successful individual in Ryder Cup history,"
said the 27-year-old Englishman. "His points total (25) is
amazing and he's played in 11 Ryder Cups.
"He's a motivated individual. He hates to lose and he'll do
everything in his power to make sure he's a good captain."
Rose, who is set to make his debut in the biennial team
event in September, said he wanted to underline his credentials
as one of the world's top golfers by doing well in the Ryder Cup
and in the four majors of 2008.
"The Ryder Cup is right up there with all my goals next
year," he said. "I have wanted to play in it in the past but
I've not been quite ready for it.
Huge occasion
"There is a lot of pressure involved and it is a huge
sporting occasion. I've got off to a great Ryder Cup start, I'm
leading the points table, so it gives me a nice cushion not to
have to worry about it until I start my season in mid February."
Rose, who began his professional career by missing 21
consecutive cuts, said he never expected to achieve quite so
much in 2007.
"It has been a great year," he said. "It was probably way
beyond my expectations at the start of the year to move up to
sixth in the world.
"I did well in the majors and prepared hard for each
individual one. That's something I've always been able to do
throughout my career, single out an event or two and peak for
it."
But Rose acknowledged he had now raised his standards to
such an extent that the pressure would be firmly on him next
year.
"I think that part of getting over that (extra pressure) is
recognising that's the case and therefore changing your
outlook," he said. "My coach (Nick Bradley) says you've got to
believe you can go on to bigger and better things.
"Part of it is realising that could be a trap to fall into
next year but making sure it doesn't happen."
Rose said he was happy with his overall technique and only
needed to make minor adjustments to take the next step up.
"There's nothing that springs to mind where I feel I have a
glaring weakness," he said. "I think my wedge play - from 50
to 120 yards - could be sharper.
"That's a key area because at par-fives you can lay up and
still make birdie or if you're in trouble off the tee at
par-fours, you can save par by being in that sort of zone.
"But it's all about fine tuning for me now. I think it's all
there and it's just that extra one or two percent I'm looking
for now."