I can't wait to feel peer pressure at Valhalla says Justin Rose

Sep 7 2008

Ryder Cup 12 Days To Go

FOR most golf fans it's the epitome of a perfect weekend.

Big telly, chilled beers by your side, curtains closed, phone off the hook.

The remote control is safely tucked under the cushions so the missus can't change over to EastEnders when you're not looking.

But for one perennial armchair Ryder Cup fan the experience was wearing thin - so this year Justin Rose set about the task of securing a more hands-on role at the event.

For too long Rose had to sit and watch like the rest of us as his mates David Howell, Ian Poulter, Paul Casey, Luke Donald and Lee Westwood starred for Europe.

All members of a golden generation of promising English golfers who grewup sharing a starry-eyed dream of following their idol Nick Faldo all the way to the Ryder Cup.

Now Rose - the only member of that peer group yet to experience the most pulsating stage in golf - is preparing to complete the set with his long-awaited plunge into the cauldron at Valhalla.

That Faldo should be his captain when that boyhood dream comes true only makes it more fitting.

Yet it's the prospect this time of cheering on his pals like Casey and Poulter in the teamroom instead of his livingroom that's really got Rose excited.

And he thinks being able to call his pals team-mates for this special week will galvanise their existing bonds into close friendships that will endure for life.

Rose said: "In previous Ryder Cups I'd be the one in front of the TV cheering them on and the lads from that English peer group have all generally done well. It was lovely to watch them but there was always that feeling of 'that looks so much fun, I wish I was there'.

"On TV the boys are all high fiving each other, back slapping, kidding around and really rooting for each other - and that's the unique thing about the Ryder Cup.

"Although we are good friends we never root for each other on tour - they're your competitors.

"The big thing about the Ryder Cup is that for one week they are your BEST mates and you are all in it together.

"So playing with guys like Poults and Casey will make our friendships even closer. I'msure it forms bonds between some players.

"It means so much, the emotion is bound to be strong."

While Rose has always watched enviously as his peers went on to star for Europe without him, he admits it is probably for the best he had to wait for his taste of such a high-pressure stage.

He added: "I have felt a bit left out but at the same time probably knew I wasn't 100 per cent ready to play in a Ryder Cup. Even two years ago I felt like that. Maybe self confidence was the factor I was missing.

"And for two years I wasn't even a member of the European Tour so it was hard to envisage myself being in the Ryder Cup team.

"But I worked my way back in to the world top 50, rejoined the Tour and finished European No.1 last year - the boost that gave me made the Ryder Cup a realistic goal again.

"Now I feel comfortable that I belong in the team and am ready hopefully to make a contribution.

"You HAVE to feel absolutely ready for a stage like the Ryder Cup otherwise the pressure could really crucify you. But now I'm comfortable in the big events. I've contended in Majors and know what that kind of heat feels like."

Rose's big-time experiences - like coming close to winning last year's US Masters until a poor tee shot wrecked his hopes of catching Zach Johnson - should make him a regular feature in Europe's pairings at Valhalla, with a number of good potential partners.

His long-term friendship with Poulter would make them an obvious fit if Faldo is willing to risk pairing two rookies - but Rose is attracted by a surprise option in Miguel Angel Jimenez.

The laid-back Spaniard, one of the great characters in Europe's team room, spoke earlier in the season about his desire to partner Rose and the 28-year-old loves the idea of an intriguing partnership.

He added: "Poulter and Casey would be natural partnerships but Jimenez would like to play with me and would be a good partner.

"I love his attitude, style and laid-back approach to the game - he'd be a perfect calming influence for any Ryder Cup rookie.

"I was surprised when I first heard Miguel was interested. He wouldn't be an obvious fit.

"But that's the cool thing about the Ryder Cup. I'm open to playing with anybody and everybody.

"I'm just pleased to be in the team. I've wanted this since I was a nine-year-old kid in the crowd at The Belfry in 1989."

Europe halved that match to retain the trophy - and although Rose admits he can't remember much, it made a big impression.

He said: "The seed was sown for me then and making this team has always been one of my biggest career goals.

"The next one is to win it. The Cup's a great thing if your team wins but it must be desperate if your team loses.

"It will be a powerful, positive experience - but disappointing if you don't win. The key is to play at the very top of your game."

EUROPE

Caption: Nick Faldo

PADRAIG HARRINGTON

Age 37. Ryder Cups: 4. Record: P 17 W 7 H 2 L 8. World ranking: 4. Majors: 3. Tour wins: 16. The Irishman was the first European to make a successful defence of the Open Championship title in 102 years then became the first since 1930 to win US PGA. Both were achieved from behind with inspired back nine displays.

LEE WESTWOOD

Age: 35. Ryder Cups: 5. Record: P25W14 H3 L8. World ranking: 12. Majors: 0. Tour wins: 28.

Unbeaten in last 10 games, two short of Arnold Palmer's record. Needed wild card two years ago, but responded with three wins and two halves. The Englishman was third at US Open in June, one shot away from a play-off.

SERGIO GARCIA

Age: 28. Ryder Cups: 4. Record: P20 W14 H2 L4. World ranking: 5. Majors: 0. Tour wins: 16.

A 75 per cent cup success rate makes the Spaniard one of Europe's all-time greats. At 19 he became Cup's youngest-ever player. Reached play-off at 2007 Open and was pipped by Harrington again at the recent US PGA.

HENRIK STENSON

AGE: 32. Ryder Cups: 1. Record: P3 W1 H1 L1. World ranking: 6. Majors: 0. Tour wins: 6.

The Swede sank the match-winning putt on his Ryder Cup debut before becoming World Match Play champion in Arizona last year. Joint third with Greg Norman at Open in July and fourth at the US PGA.

ROBERT KARLSSON

Age: 39. Ryder Cups: 1. Record: P3 H2 L1. World ranking: 21. Majors: 0. Tour wins: 7.

Eighth, fourth and seventh in first three Majors this year. The Swede did not make his Ryder Cup debut until he was 37, halving two fourballs with Paul Casey before losing singles to Tiger Woods.

MIGUEL ANGEL JIMENEZ

Age: 44. Ryder Cups: 2. Record: P9 W2 H2 L5. World ranking: 18. Majors: 0. Tour wins: 15.

The Spanish star has had more tour victories since turning 40 than when he was younger - biggest of the lot was the BMWPGA in May. Assistant captain to Seve Ballesteros in 1997. All his Cup caps have come in America.

GRAEME McDOWELL

Age: 29. Debut. World ranking: 31. Majors: 0. Tour wins: 4.

Former Northern Ireland amateur star won on only his fourth European Tour start as a pro in 2002. Just missed out on a first cap two years later but won in Korea this March then added Scottish Open in July.

JUSTIN ROSE

Age: 28. Debut. World ranking: 14. Majors: 0. Tour wins: 6.

Won the European Order of Merit last year fromjust 12 events, starting and ending with a win and posting top-12 finishes in all four Majors. The Englishman is still remembered for finishing fourth as a 17-year-old amateur at the 1998 Open.

SOREN HANSEN

Age: 34. Debut. World ranking: 44. Majors: 0. Tour wins: 2.

Irish Open victory in 2002 was the Dane's only tour success in more than 200 starts, but hewon again in Germany last season, finished eighth in Order of Merit and sealed Cup place by coming sixth and 10th in last two events.

OLIVER WILSON

Age: 28. Debut. World ranking: 48. Majors: 0. Tour wins: 0.

Member of winning Walker Cup team in 2003 becomes the first player to make team without winning a tournament. The England hopeful has had seven runners-up finishes, four this year including play-off loss in BMW PGA Championship.

IAN POULTER

Age: 32. Ryder Cups: 1. Record: P2 W1 L1. World ranking: 25. Majors: 0. Tour wins: 8.

Wild card. Brilliant second in The Open but controversially did not play in last qualifying event when he could have still made top 10. Faldo ignored that and went for the Englishman's flair despite only two top-10 finishes all year.

PAUL CASEY

Age: 31. Ryder Cups: 2. Record: P6 W3 H2 L1. World ranking: 36. Majors: 0. Tour wins: 8.

Wild card. The England ace is only player to have finished a Ryder Cup match with a hole-in-one, in foursomes with David Howell a week after winning World Match Play. Walker Cup and World Cup winner with Luke Donald.

AMERICA

Caption: Paul Azinger

CHAD CAMPBELL

Age 34. Ryder Cups: 2. Record: P6 W1 H2 L3. World ranking: 53. Majors: 0. Tour wins: 4.

Wild card. The Texan was hailed as the next big thing when he was runner-up to Shaun Micheel at the 2003 US PGA. It has not happened yet though, and he has had only a small role in the last two matches.

STEWART CINK

Age: 35. Ryder Cups: 3. Record: P12 P3 H4 L5. World ranking: 9. Majors: 0. Tour wins: 5.

Twice a wild card, Alabama ace Cink finished third on the US points table this time. Gave his best cup display with 2006 singles win over Sergio Garcia. Runner-up to Tiger Woods in February's World Match Play.

BEN CURTIS

Age: 31. Debut. World ranking: 33. Majors: 1. Tour wins: 3.

His joint runners-up finish at US PGA sent the Ohio man leaping from 21st to eighth in the Cup points race. Was ranked 396th in the world when he won the 2003 Open at Sandwich, the first Major he had ever played.

JIM FURYK

AGE: 38. Ryder Cups: 5. Record: P20 W6 H2 L12. World ranking: 13. Majors: 1. Tour wins: 16.

Partnered Tiger Woods two years ago but won only two out of four and lost his singles to Paul Casey. The Pennsylvanian has reached the lofty heights of world No.2 but has not been among the titles this year.

JB HOLMES

AGE: 26. Debut. World ranking: 55. Majors: 0. Tour wins: 2.

Huge hitter will benefit from playing in his home state of Kentucky. Team-mate of Anthony Kim at 2005 Walker Cup and in February beat Phil Mickelson in play-off to keep FBR Open title. Real name John but goes by initials JB.

ANTHONY KIM

Age: 23. Debut. World ranking: 15. Majors: 0. Tour wins: 2.

Californian is a rising star who earns first cap just three years after being part of winning Walker Cup team. Second in his first PGA Tour event, took two titles this season and came seventh on debut at The Open.

JUSTIN LEONARD

Age: 36. Ryder Cups: 2. Record: P8 H5 L3. World ranking: 23. Majors: 1. Tour wins: 12.

Back after missing last three matches. Yet to win a Cup game but was US hero in 1999. The Texan's amazing 45-foot putt on 17th led to invasion of the green despite Jose Maria Olazabal having chance to keep the match alive.

HUNTER MAHAN

Age: 28. Debut. World ranking: 37. Majors: 0. Tour wins: 1.

Wild card. Ex-American junior champ and top college player was given Presidents Cup wild card last year. Won twice in foursomes but lost his other games. Chosen despite claiming Ryder Cup players are "slaves".

PHIL MICKELSON

Age: 38. Ryder Cups: 6. Record: P25 W9 H4 L12. World ranking: 2. Majors: 3 Tour wins: 35.

Unbeaten on his cup debut, but the Californian has had a tough time in his last two matches, picking up only one-and-a-half points from nine games. Recorded 17 top-10 finishes before finally capturing his first Major at the 2004 Masters.

KENNY PERRY

Age: 48. Ryder Cups: 1. Record: P2 L2. World ranking: 17. Majors: 0. Tour wins: 12.

Lost a play-off for 1996 US PGA at Valhalla and the Kentucky favourite has home state support again. Hardly used in 2004 but is enjoying the best season of his career. Criticised for choosing not to play The Open at Birkdale.

STEVE STRICKER

Age: 41. Debut. World rank: 8. Majors: 0. Tour wins: 4.

Needed wild card despite being third highest-ranked American in the world. Played in Presidents Cup in 1996 and won Dunhill Cup that year with Mickelson and Mark O'Meara. Flying the flag for Wisconsin, he won the World Match Play champion in 2001 before losing US Tour card.

BOO WEEKLEY

Age: 35. Debut. World ranking: 35. Majors: 0. Tour wins: 2.

Real name Thomas, but takes nickname from Yogi Bear's sidekick Boo Boo. Ten years after turning pro the Florida ace finally established himself on US Tour last season. Lost World Cup play-off to Scots Colin Montgomerie and Marc Warren.