Do Good Ryder Cup Players make Good Captains?

Do Good Ryder Cup Players make Good Captains?

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There is an expectation from former players who have played well in Ryder Cup competition, that they will eventually be chosen as a Ryder Cup Captain.  But is this the right choice?  These are a lot of players who have not played Ryder Cup who are very good leaders, who might be able to do a better job.  The captains have always been professional golfers and the only captain who has never played in the Ryder Cup is J.H. Taylor, the 1933 British captain.  What do you think?  Do you know of a player who has not played in a Ryder Cup who could do the job?  Remarks below please!

Thanks to Golf Digest and Joel Beall for putting this list together!

Arnold Palmer

Palmer is a magnetic force and a man of the people. As you would expect from one who galvanized “Arnie’s Army,” Palmer was a leader to be reckoned with, guiding the Americans to a perfect record in the Ryder Cup (1963, 1975) and Presidents Cup (1996). Palmer was the last playing captain in the Ryder Cup in ’63, and did his share, going 3-0-1 during the event.

 

The Hawk guided the U.S. ship three times, leading the Americans to the Promised Land on each occasion. He was a playing captain in 1947 and won his lone match. Famously, in 1967, he introduced the American squad as “the 12 best golfers in the world” at the Champions Club in Houston, Texas. Although he wasn’t necessarily right — Jack Nicklaus was unable to participate — his team backed up his proclamation, winning by a record 23½ to 8½ margin.

 

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