WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2014 SPORTS Time to look ahead, not behind Wilson wins Alfred NAPA: A new PGA Tour season starts tomoor- rookie (Victor Dubuisson) as his partner and sit- Dunhill Championship row, and it’s about time. The last thing American ting two sessions. They combined to go 5-0-1. ST ANDREWS: Oliver Wilson held his nerve down the golf needs right now is another idle week to That’s what should be remembered about this stretch to win his first career EPGA title as the world num- rehash a Ryder Cup loss that is getting over- Ryder Cup. ber 792 upset the field at the Alfred Dunhill Links cooked by the minute. It’s probably good that The US press conference won’t be forgotten, Phil Mickelson is not expected to play again which is why Mickelson said what he did and Championship. until we know which two teams are going to the when he did. Lefty spoke of a “winning formula” The 34-year-old Englishman, a losing player on the 2008 Super Bowl. To spend a week or more looking from which the Americans have strayed, and he European Ryder Cup team, finally tasted victory with a 72- back at the pivotal moments is standard fare for had a point. While his frustration might have hole total of 17-under par at St Andrews, after finishing a great event like the Ryder Cup. been geared toward Watson, the message was runner-up nine times during his topsy-turvy career. What if Justin Rose had not made that 45- for the PGA of America and the unilateral way it His compatriot and playing partner Tommy Fleetwood foot putt in Sunday singles at Medinah, or if Ian goes about the business of picking a captain had a chance to send the tournament to a play-off but Poulter had missed any one of his last five birdie and running the Ryder Cup. missed a 10ft putt for birdie on 18 to hand the emotional putts Saturday afternoon? If only Stewart Cink Thanks to Mickelson, change is inevitable for Wilson victory. World number one Rory McIlroy and had made either one of those short birdie putts Team USA, and that’s a good thing. But does Scotland’s Richie Ramsey also finished one shot back along over the last four holes at Celtic Manor. And that guarantee a change in the outcome? No. To with Fleetwood on 16-under. Scotland’s Chris Doak was don’t think Europeans haven’t seen enough of suggest the Americans will look back at alone in fifth a further stroke back, after a six under 66. “I Justin Leonard and that putt heard ‘round the Gleneagles as the turning point 10 years from don’t have words for it, this has been 10 or 11 years com- world at Brookline. now is dismissive of the opponent. Even if the ing,” said a tearful Wilson after his win. “Nine-times runner- But that hasn’t been the case this year. When America has the ideal captain, Europe still has up, nothing had gone my way but I must thank the organ- it comes to a Ryder Cup review, no one is talking McIlroy, Rose, Poulter, McDowell, Sergio Garcia, isers because they offered me an invite to play this week about the golf. For the Americans, it seems as Martin Kaymer. It still has the cup. And it’s no and I’m very grateful. though the Ryder Cup only got started after it accident. “I’ve never been able to win a tournament but I tried to was over. The Europeans once had a heavy-handed be patient today (Sunday) and Rory (McIlroy) was in front One story says US captain Tom Watson captain in Seve Ballesteros, and they managed. scoffed at his gift from the players - a replica of It’s still down to the players, and the Americans so I was keeping an eye on him and Tommy (Fleetwood) the Ryder Cup they signed. Another story said as a whole didn’t perform as well. Their top three who played very well today. “So many people had written Watson wasn’t dismissive of the gift, rather he qualifiers - Bubba Watson, Rickie Fowler and Jim me off which obviously hurt me but a lot of others tried to motivate his players by telling them he Furyk - combined to go 1-8-3. believed in me and they know who they are. Thanks to all wanted the real thing. More than its players, what makes Europe so of them. “Every day my confidence grew and I have good Watson was not the Great Communicator. On formidable is the culture of winning it has culti- memories here at St Andrews (finished second in 2009 that point everyone can agree. But to prattle on vated for nearly 30 years. Everyone is involved. behind Simon Dyson).” about Watson’s stubborn leadership style - did That much was clear when McGinley was leav- Wilson, who splits his time between his native Mansfield that catch anyone by surprise? - or the pairings ing the press room at St. Andrews, and Ken in England and Augusta, Georgia, came into the final round he never seemed to get right is to overlook the Brown - a player on four teams, vice captain on with a three-shot lead but saw that evaporate over the obvious. The better team won. another, now a TV analyst - approached to con- front nine when South African Louis Oosthuizen birdied The Europeans were favored to win, were gratulate him. four of his first six holes. they not? They had Rory McIlroy with his two A handshake quickly turned into a hug. McIlroy got off to the worst possible start when he dou- majors and No. 1 ranking. When the teams were “You’re a part of this,” McGinley told him. Europe ble bogeyed the opening hole after missing the green but set, they had four of the top five players in the celebrates. America contemplates. And it’s time bounced back with four straight birdies to claw himself world. And they were playing at home. to move on. Does golf even matter this time of back into contention. They also had captain Paul McGinley, who the year? It sure did to the six players who won Chasing his fifth win of the season, the world number blended supreme confidence with an extraordi- tournaments in the fall start to the wraparound one, was tied for the lead down the stretch but bogeyed nary eye for detail. Most telling about McGinley season. All six began the FedEx Cup playoffs in the difficult 17th when he rolled his putt from off the green was when he was asked last week the one thing the top 20, and all but one (Harris English) quali- he feared when he was appointed captain. fied for the Tour Championship. The Frys.com into a pot bunker. “Honestly, I didn’t have a fear. I had a real clear Open was supposed to have Rory McIlroy and Playing alongside his father Gerry, who was celebrating idea of what I wanted to achieve.” Did he win the Tiger Woods until one asked for time off from a his 55th birthday and playing the pro-am with his son, Ryder Cup for Europe? hectic summer of winning back-to-back majors, McIlroy birdied the 18th to get within one but just came up McGinley certainly helped. The players took and the other was forced into time off because of short. “If I look back, I probably lost it on those two holes, it from there. Rose was unbeaten. McIlroy played injury. McIlroy and Woods are expected to be at SCOTLAND: Dunhill Links Championship at St Andrews Old Course, In St Andrews, the first and the 17th but it was fantastic to play with my his best golf Sunday. Graeme McDowell the Frys.com Open next year. Think anyone will Scotland. Oliver Wilson held off Rory McIlroy to capture his first European Tour title dad and for him to play St Andrews on his birthday was unselfishly accepted the role of taking on a be grousing about the schedule then? — AP with a one-shot victory in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. — AP very special,” said McIlroy. —AFP Leisure golfers from 18 countries tee-off at the Sri Lankan Golf Classic General view COLOMBO: Considering Sri Lankan Airlines’ representing India, Asia Pacific and South overlooking the picturesque Victoria England, Spain, Australia, Japan and Saudi courses according to the Golf Digest consistent overseas promotional drive to pro- East Asia will be closely following the action Reservoir. The tournament will be played on Arabia and our own players in Sri Lanka. Magazine, and the best in South Asia accord- mote leisure golf combined with family holi- on the green for four days. two consecutive days by each player and Spread across 520 acres, Victoria was the ing to the Asia Golf Monthly. days, over 100 amateur golfers from 18 The international line-up of keen, consis- points will be allocated for a player’s Gross first course to be built in Sri Lanka in over a Apart from the Golf Tournament Package nations across the globe will fly into Sri tent golfers will be joined by over 100 Sri and Nett Stableford scores over their two century. Nestled amidst the scenic hills of which is on offer to the players, several excur- Lanka, to take part in the 15th Sri Lankan Lankan golfers which will increase the total rounds. Digana, near the ancient city of Kandy, the sions and tours to places such as Nuwara Airlines’ Golf Classic at the stunning Victoria number of participants to around 200 play- The Sri Lankan Golf Classic has attracted 18-hole course was designed by world Eliya, Pinnawala, Kandy, Sigiriya, Dambulla, Golf and Country Resort course in Digana, ers, creating a great challenge and an oppor- golfers from Abu Dhabi, Dubai, India, famous golf course architects, Donald Steel Kitulgala, Horton Plains, Minneriya and Uda Kandy, from September 24th- 28th 2014.