Ryder Cup Betting / Editor / 18 September 2008 /

We'll all be glued to the Ryder Cup this weekend and envying Sky's on-course commentary team who are out at Valhalla following the big matches. Betfair talked to former European Tour player Richard Boxall about the latest round of Europe's battle with America.

Richard, the Ryder Cup is most people's favourite golf event, is it yours?

Absolutely - and the players love it too. Matchplay events are great to play in. I've got very happy memories of being in the teams for the Alfred Dunhill Cup and World Cup. You spend so much time worrying about your own game and performance that it's terrific to play in something where it's a team event.

As spectators we love the drama of it. Do the players feel that too?

Probably even more. You got a sense of it at Dublin the last time. I was there when Darren came up to all but clinch the victory and it was unbelievable. I don't think I've ever experienced a thing like that before, it does make the hair stand up on the back of your neck. The support at the K club was brilliant but it will be different in America this year. The last time I went to one in America was Brookline. The crowds were obviously one sided, but all the booing and hissing that was going on was bad news.

What was the best Ryder Cup you've been to?

Probably the one where Eamonn Darcy holed the putt at Muirfield Village 21 years ago. That was terrific because it was Europe really taking hold for the first time. We've won the last few so America really need to do something now to get a bit of interest back in it on their side. On paper Europe should win this one easily, but it is not played on paper. They've got what you would call an average team really. Azinger had to pick rookies because if you went on experience, well all the experience the other players have had would have been of losing!

I expect you've been getting all your homework done ready for this?

Funnily enough not as much as you'd think. If you are working in the commentary box you need a few more facts and figures, how the players have performed this year, how many top ten finishes and so on, but I'll be an on course commentator here and that's different. The facts and figures are not my job, but to get the atmosphere over. It's physically a lot harder because you are not sitting on your backside, you have to walk round and you do 36 holes a day if both games go to the end! But all you really need for preparation is the yardage book. Because you've seen the lies all your life you know exactly what's coming up. You know what shots they have to play, and what's ahead. You've also got to get over the feeling of what the players are experiencing in terms of tension. I played in the Dunhill Cup and the World Cup and I tell you I was nervous, but I never played in the Ryder Cup. Some players think there's so much tension it's unhealthy - it takes five years off your life! Others say it gives you an ulcer. For the opening tee shot it's a bit of a laundry job I would imagine!

How will Nick Faldo compare with other captains in the past?

He's under pressure, no doubt. If he wins he will be a great captain, if he doesn't they will pounce on any mistakes he made. It was a bit deflating really when he announced the wild cards. There had been such a build up, and such a chat about it, then he just named his team and then said: "My wild cards are Ian Poulter and Paul Casey", as quick as that, it was a bit deflating really. He has his reasons, I suppose but it makes you wonder.

What did you make of the Ian Poulter saga?

Nick made his mind up and he had two choices, and he can pick who he likes. But if it had been me I would have chosen Darren Clarke. Wild cards are for players who are in form and haven't been able to make the team, in my view, and I would have had Darren Clarke and Carl Peterson.

Why Carl?

There's only one bloke who's won more than him in America which is Nick Faldo, and none of our side have won anywhere near as much as him. He's also used to playing with all the players over there, so there would have been no intimidation factor whatsoever - and I think he would have had some good inside information to pass on.

What do you make of Paul Azinger as a captain?

I don't know him that well to be honest - but I think the big job is to get the players away from going to all these bloody dinners and stuff like that. Give them a bit of time to themselves. I think a good captain is somebody who takes all the rubbish away and makes it a smooth passage.

Do you agree with the idea that America could be better off without Tiger Woods in the team?

No way. They are infinitely worse off without him, no question. You hear so many rumours and rubbish that goes on. He's not a good team player? I can't believe that. I think he'd be a good team player. I'd want to play with him. I'd fancy us to beat anybody! Which house do you want to play for?

What do you know about Valhalla as a course?

I went there last year with Robert Lee doing TalkSPORT radio for the USPGA when Tiger beat Bob May in a play-off. The one thing I remember is it is quite hilly towards the end. I'll be hoping my games will finish seven and six to save myself some effort! It's a good course. The early part of it isn't too memorable, but it gets tougher as you go on. If anything does go to the 18th, that's a long par five uphill and a really difficult finish. That will definitely provide some drama.

Thanks for your time and we've a free £50 bet for your favourite charity.

Brilliant - I'll put that towards the Carren Clarke foundation and have the bet on Europe to win at [2.0]. I think they've got a better than even chance of doing it.

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