Norman's Presidents selection surprise

BY Bruce Young | US PGA Tour | 2009 The Presidents Cup | General | 09 Sep 2009

Fred Couples and Greg Norman have finalised their respective teams for the Presidents Cup at Harding Park in San Francisco next month, Couples final two additions to his US team predictable enough but the same could not be said for those chosen by Norman.

The form displayed by US Team selections Hunter Mahan and Lucas Glover in recent months could not be ignored. Glover is of course the US Open Champion and although Mahan has not won since the 2007 Travelers Championship in Hartford, his consistent form in big events this season has forced the hand of Couples.

The selection of the Norman’s two additions to the International Team however was not so predictable and might even be considered controversial. Adam Scott and Ryo Ishikawa were named this morning by Norman to complete the team during a press conference in Washington DC.

Ishikawa did not join the teleconference by phone given that it was at 2.30am Japan time where he is at present but had his manager read out a prepared statement.

“Firstly, I’d like to thank Captain Norman for choosing me as captain’s pick. I am so honoured to be selected to be a Presidents Cup International Team member. I’m very excited about the opportunity.”

“When I met Mr. Norman at The International team meeting held at the Open Championship in July, I felt strong about his leadership, and I really wanted to be a member of his team.”

“There are so many great players on both teams, and I’m humbled by my selection to be with them. Although I’ll be a bit nervous surrounded by such a great captain and so many great players in the world, I will do my best during the week and hopefully contribute to the victory over the American team.”

“Thank you again. I’m looking forward to the Presidents Cup week.”

Scott was next to respond to his selection. “I’m extremely excited to have been picked to play for Greg and Frank – maybe somewhat unexpected. Obviously it’s been a tough year, but I really am humbled by them picking me and feel like that they still have the belief that I can contribute to this International Team, and I really feel like it will be great for my game and also get out there, and I feel like I can contribute points and contribute in the team room, as well. I’m looking forward to meeting up with all the guys in San Francisco.”

There is little doubt that Scott’s inclusion is good for his game. It might be just the injection of confidence his flagging game needs. Having missed ten of his last 15 cuts worldwide however and with only one top ten in his last eighteen starts, Scott has hardly earned his place in the team on form.

Norman is obviously relying on the fact that Scott has played in three previous Presidents Cup encounters and perhaps felt the need to back up the inclusion of the 17 year old Ishikawa with that of an experienced campaigner. Scott has proven himself to be a good contributor in the Fourball and Foursomes matches, winning more than he has lost in those formats but in the singles he has won only one of three encounters.

“Well, I think there’s more than one thing you look at in selecting a player, and obviously a lot of it has got to do with past experiences, said Norman. "When you look back a year ago, Adam was the No. 3 player in the world. So everybody goes through a slump. Everybody goes through slumps for different reasons; maybe it’s not your game but maybe something else is just a little bit out of sync in his life to put him in that situation. I know I’ve been there and I’m sure Freddie has been there, as well."

“In my conversations with Adam and with Frank Nobilo over a period of weeks now, I saw a huge boost of confidence from Adam himself. It’s not an easy task, but at the end of the day, he’s got the playing skills, and as Adam said, the team camaraderie, what he can bring to the locker room, the support he gives to the other players, the connection and the experience that he’s had playing on The Presidents Cup team.”

“He was really a logical choice. It’s no slight on any of the other players. It’s a tough decision, but at the end of the day, we’ve got a commitment out of a player. He has rededicated himself to more of a higher degree, so he’s going to be ready come four weeks from now.”

While some of Norman’s thinking makes sense it begs the question as to what sort of message it sends to the likes of Thongchai Jaidee, Stephen Ames, Michael Sim and others who are all in far greater form than Scott right now and who might, currently, be more deserving of a place on the team.

Jaidee finished 5th last week in Switzerland, has won twice on the European Tour this season and leads the Asian Tour money list by a country mile. Ames has played well enough of late to be a consideration and Sim’s record on the Nationwide Tour this season and in the two majors he has played has been exceptional.

Ishikawa has forced his way into the team with his stunning performances in Japan over the last two years more especially this season where he has won three times. In Norman’s eyes the 17 year old’s selection was a ’no brainer’.

When asked to outline the reason behind Ishikawa’s selection Norman responded, “Enthusiasm. He (Ishikawa) mentioned in his prepared statement at the International Team meeting at the British Open, he was phenomenal. He was engaged, he walked around the entire room, introduced himself to everybody, made sure everybody understood that he wanted to be on the team.”

“He played well that week. He played with Tiger. He stood up to Tiger. So that tells me that he can deal with a pressure situation. It’s not like you’re playing 73 straight holes, you’re playing 18 holes with great energy, 14 or 15 or 13, depending on how the play goes that day. So he is not afraid of the big moment.”

“The other thing which came into my mind is he travels with an entourage of about 50 media people, so he’s used to that type of atmosphere, that buzz going on all the time, and it doesn’t bother him. I think that is a true reflection of his inner personality, as well.”

“And then obviously winning the other day by five shots was tremendous. This year has been tremendous. It was a no-brainer for me. I like to give young people the opportunity. Obviously he has the credentials, but he has to be given the opportunity at the same time. As a captain you’ve got to have faith in that ability, and I have a lot of faith in him.”

The Presidents Cup beings on October 8th.

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