Davis Love III and Jay Haas Disagree with Brandel Chamblee's Assessment of Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson
By Michael Shamburger
Davis Love III will lead the U.S. Ryder Cup team in 2016 at Hazeltine. Love just won the Wyndham Championship at the age of 51; he also has 20 other wins and a PGA Championship on his record. While Freddie Couples may not be the committee’s top choice as captain, everyone still wants to see him take the helm, and he certainly deserves an opportunity.
On Wednesday morning, Love voiced disagreement with Brandel Chamblee’s assessment that Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson aren’t “leaders” and shouldn’t be allowed to be captains of a U.S. Ryder Cup team.
"“If you’ve been paying attention to the last few Ryder Cups or Presidents Cups, Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods have become respected leaders of this team,” Love said. “Whether you’re playing in Korea or Medinah, these guys have stepped up to the plate and been leaders. So now the players respect them, they look to them for leadership and they’re expecting that in the future.”"
Love’s statement comes after Chamblee claimed that neither Mickelson nor Woods have the passion for the events that most players want in captains. While neither have the greatest record in team events, except for Phil’s 5-0 in Presidents Cup matches this year, both are respected and liked by the young guys on Tour.
"“Ryder Cup record really doesn’t have anything to do with being a leader, because Paul Azinger and Ben Crenshaw both had losing Ryder Cup records but they were great leaders as Ryder Cup captains,” Love said. “Being a leader and winning matches don’t always go together.”"
Presidents Cup team captain Jay Haas backed up Love’s statement on Golf Channel’s Morning Drive.
"“From what I’ve seen, they certainly have the passion,” Haas said on “Morning Drive” on Wednesday. “I couldn’t disagree more, not necessarily with Brandel, but with anyone that says Phil and Tiger don’t like these team events.”"
There you have it, two captains of U.S. teams claiming that both Mickelson and Woods not only have the leadership qualities needed to be captains, but the passion as well. Woods will very likely be selected as an assistant captain for the 2016 Ryder Cup by Davis Love, and Phil could be as well if he fails to make the team or become a captain’s pick.