Paul Azinger was a pioneering figure for the United States in terms of how to correctly fulfil the role of Ryder Cup captain.
Azinger led the United States to a convincing 16.5-11.5 Ryder Cup win at Valhalla in 2008.
Since then, the man from Bradenton, Florida, has been sought out for advice from pretty much every single American captain.
Keegan Bradley was one of those who asked Azinger for some tips ahead of the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black.
Azinger told Ryder Cup captain Bradley how useful the ‘pod system’ was that he used in 2008 at Valhalla.
Bradley has been praised for instilling a strong Ryder Cup team unity into the American side, and as we all know, that hasn’t always been the case for the United States.
The 39-year-old will be quietly confident of his team’s chances of success at Bethpage, but he has been warned about one pitfall that could await him and his players in New York.
Paul Azinger warns Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley about Bethpage Black fans
Azinger knows what it takes to fire up a Ryder Cup team and, indeed, the fans.
However, he is insistent that the support from the home crowd can quickly turn.
Azinger was speaking on the Trey Wingo Podcast, where he was asked whether he had given captain Bradley any advice so far.
The 2008 captain has warned Bradley about the dangers of not getting the home fans at Bethpage onside early.
He said: “Even the crowd, if the US get off to a bad start, I think the crowd could become volatile there.
“I told Keegan right out of the gate, I said, ‘buddy you’ve got to win the crowd, I’d be passing out lapel pins to the crowd like we did, getting them on our side’.“
Paul Azinger says Bethpage Black doesn’t provide an advantage for US Ryder Cup team
Azinger was asked whether playing the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black will provide the American team with an advantage.
“Nope, not at all. We don’t know the course. Our guys are not going to be rolling in there a month or two early because we only have six guys who know they’re on the team.
“One of the biggest mistakes the American Ryder Cup team always seems to make, or the PGA of America, is that they go to courses we are not familiar with.
“I really do not like Bethpage Black, it’s just hard. There’s a lot of awkward angles, downhill tee shots, uphill second shots, it’s just hard.
“I don’t know how long they’re going to make it or how deep the rough is going to be.
“I see no advantage.“
That’s an interesting point from Azinger and one that Luke Donald and his European players will be interested to hear.
However, the winners of the Ryder Cup will be the team with the players who perform the best during the three days at Bethpage Black.
That’s the truth of the matter. Despite all of the planning from the PGA of America and the captains and vice-captains, it all comes down to the players to produce the goods in the end.
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