How do you plan to be in touch with the players throughout the months ahead given they play all over the world, and not on just the one Tour?
One of the things I want to ask the boys when they start to come together at some of the WGC events next year is to play more practice rounds together, to start to get more familiar with each other so that everyone knows each other when we get together at the Cup.
I’m going to spend some more time out on the road next year to hear what they have to say, what they’re feeling. I don’t want to over- or under-captain, I just want to do the right amount so that the guys are inspired and keen to compete.
Talking to some of the players from last time, the way some of the schedules worked out, some of the guys couldn’t arrive till late and they said they only really started to gel on the Saturday which by then, might have been too late.
We want to try to avoid those things in 2013 and I’d like the boys to be able to play the same tournament here in the US the week before so they have only a short way to come.
How far out do you talk to the players to let them know they’re on the radar for selection; or do you let them go for a while and let the results pan out?
Anyone that potentially can make the team, I’m going to go and talk to. I’m going to try to encourage the guys that are outside the top 12 [the top 10 qualify automatically] to show some form because I only get two picks. Let’s say, for example, a guy is 50th or 60th in the world rankings and has a really good year ... I’m going to want the form players.
If there are two guys that come into the frame and are outperforming my two guys ranked 11 and 12, I will certainly choose them. I’m going to have to compare my number 11 and 12 players off the list with other guys below them to see who is playing the best over the past year or in the three or four month period before the Cup.
I want the best players that I can possibly put out there. I want it [the Cup] to be a close one, to come down to the last match on Sunday and have the people sitting on the edge of their seats like they were at the Ryder Cup.
The Ryder Cup was unbelievable theatre; it’s like watching 24 guys trying to win a Major because every point is so important.
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