NEW YORK — Corey Pavin’s hand was shaking so badly that all he could do was drop the ball and hope it stayed on the tee. It was his first Ryder Cup overseas, and he had the opening tee shot at The Belfry.
Pavin composed himself and won three matches to help the United States to victory in 1993. That was the last time the Americans won the Ryder Cup in Europe, and the last time they successfully defended the cup.
Now the pressure is on Pavin to repeat those feats — this time as a captain.
“The nerves you feel at the Ryder Cup are nothing like you feel anywhere else in golf,” Pavin said Thursday as he was introduced as captain at a news conference. “I’ve won the U.S. Open — it felt like a walk in the park compared to the Ryder Cup.”
Pavin, who has 15 PGA Tour victories and won the 1995 U.S. Open, played in three Ryder Cups with an 8-5-0 record. The 49-year-old takes over for Paul Azinger, who helped the U.S. end a decade of European dominance at the Ryder Cup with a 16½-11½ victory in September at Valhalla.
Note
Sorenstam begins final tourney
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Annika Sorenstam started the final tournament of her career with a 2-under 70, four shots off the lead at the Dubai Ladies Masters.
The defending champion closed with back-to-back bogeys at Emirates Golf Club after starting from the 10th tee. She double-bogeyed the 18th, but had seven birdies at the season-ending tournament on the Ladies European Tour.
Johanna Head of England opened with a bogey-free 66 to lead Anja Monke of Germany by two shots.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
