Tip Of The Month

By John Pallot
Director of Instruction

September 08: Kim helps U.S. regain Ryder Cup

After losing the previous three Ryder Cup matches, the United States slump in the Ryder Cup is officially over. For the first time since the dramatic final day comeback from four points down at The Country Club in Brookline in 1999, the Americans wrestled the coveted Ryder Cup out of the arms of the heavily favored Europeans at Valhalla Golf Club.

The final tally read: U.S. 16 ½, Europe 11 ½. It was the largest margin of victory for the U.S. since an 18 ½ - 9 ½ thumping of the Europeans at Walton Heath Golf Club in 1981. “Today was an incredible day” United States Captain Paul Azinger said, adding, “The crowds were beautiful and they were well behaved. And, the European team and players, I am proud of them; they really showed a lot of class in defeat. I’m just so honored that I was able to be here and do this.”

As was the case all week, it was the rookies (Anthony Kim, Boo Weekley, Hunter Mahan, J.B. Holmes, Ben Curtis, and Chad Campbell) who stepped up for the United States combining for a 4-1-1 record in Sunday’s singles matches. Anthony Kim got the crowds riled up early in the first match of the day against European stalwart Sergio Garcia. Both players birdied the first hole for a halve and that’s as close as it would be for the rest of the day. Kim, aided by 3 more birdies and an eagle, handed Garcia a crushing 5 to 4 defeat. “I wouldn’t trade this for $10 million” said Kim, who finished 2-1-1 in his Ryder Cup debut. Kim, describing the day with exhilaration said, “this has been an experience of a lifetime. I’m going to draw back on things that happened this week and the friendships I’ve made. It was all in all a great experience. This is the most exciting day I’ve ever had. I’m so excited to be here in Kentucky and winning the Ryder Cup…..best day of my golfing life so far”.

Boo Weekley, another rookie, played some of the best golf of his career on Sunday. The fun loving, self –proclaimed redneck who often says he would rather fish than play golf, reeled in Oliver Wilson with a dreamlike performance. Wilson led the match 2 up after two holes, but then Weekley found his groove and never let up, making six birdies and an eagle (a hole out from a bunker at No. 7) for a 4 and 2 victory. “This Ryder Cup is pretty awesome. This is unreal” said Weekley, who finished with a 2-0-1 record. Weekley added, “I think the more we’re together, the closer we are going to get. I think we actually became a family and that is something we’ve been missing in the past, a little bit of laughter and cutting up and Paul made it real easy for us. He gave us ping pong and he gave us football and he gave us every opportunity to have fun, and if we couldn’t take advantage of it, it was our own damned fault.”

Another United States rookie star was Hunter Mahan. He provided one of the most memorable shots at the 37th Ryder Cup by holing a multiple fist pump 50- foot birdie putt that made the crowd go wild on the 17th hole against Paul Casey. Unfortunately, Mahan bogeyed the 18th hole, but still scored a half point. Mahan contributed 3.5 points, the most on the team, with a 2-0-3 record for the week. “I’m so proud of everybody, six rookies on the team. I think we were definitely underdogs and we just went out and played” Mahan said adding, “I mean, we were not afraid of anything, scared of anything, we just went out and played golf because we knew our golf was good enough. I didn’t think we needed to go to do something special out there. We were good enough to win this thing.” Seven of the last eight Ryder Cup victories went to the Europeans. The U.S. win this year prevented Captain Nick Faldo’s European team from winning their fourth consecutive Ryder Cup. “The team, the whole atmosphere, the camaraderie, and the fun we had”, Faldo said observing further, “Twenty four guys have given their hearts and souls in this event and Europe has come up short, but the golf was fantastic. The shot making was unbelievable and the putting…This particular week, they have done it so congratulations”.

In 2010, the 38th Ryder Cup will take place at Celtic Manor in Newport, Wales. Until then, the United States has two years to savor last month’s emotional victory.

This month’s tip highlights Anthony Kim’s backswing. Kim has burst on to the scene with his flawless swing and attacking style. He’s won twice this year and is currently ranked #6 in the World. Anthony Kim’s backswing is very much down the line for the first few feet in a one piece fashion (the club-head is outside the hands). Then, he feels the club- face opening as he continues turning his upper body. By setting the club early (completing a full hinge of his wrists) Anthony Kim is able to complete his backswing and shoulder turn with a relatively short arm swing.

Anthony Kim loves to use The Stop and Go Drill. This is how the drill works: make an 8:30 backswing with your wrists fully set. The butt of the club is pointing at the target line and the club-face is slightly open. At this point stop for a second. Now complete your backswing by turning your upper body 90º (the club shaft is parallel to the target line). Then go ahead and strike your ball. Hit 10 shots then take your regular swing. You will feel a compact backswing and an explosive lower body rotation on the downswing. Use this drill as your practice swing. You will hit ‘em longer and straighter.

Previous Golf Tips

2010 : January | February

Facebook Twitter TripAdvisor