Second Thoughts

Garcia takes a direct hit from Faldo

Golf Channel analyst Nick Faldo, who was the captain of the European team in the 2008 Ryder Cup, called Spain’s Sergio Garcia “useless” during the competition because of emotional and physical problems.
Golf Channel analyst Nick Faldo, who was the captain of the European team in the 2008 Ryder Cup, called Spain’s Sergio Garcia “useless” during the competition because of emotional and physical problems.

Nick Faldo defended his television commentary Friday when he said Sergio Garcia was "useless" in the 2008 Ryder Cup, saying the Spaniard had emotional and physical problems at Valhalla and even told Faldo that he did not want to play.

Faldo, captain of that 2008 team that lost to the Americans, conceded it was a harsh choice of words. But in an interview Friday night with The Associated Press he said "he wasn't the Sergio everyone knows now."

He said Garcia was emotionally down after breaking up with his girlfriend and told him he didn't want to play after the pairings already were in.

"Are you sure you didn't misquote him?" Garcia said when told of Faldo's comments. "That's unfortunate. I guess he doesn't feel European. That's the only thing I can think of. There's a lot of things I could say about Nick Faldo, but I'm not going to put myself down to his level."

Faldo is an analyst for Golf Channel. As Garcia was teeing off Friday morning in fourballs with Rory McIlroy, host Terry Gannon said that regardless of what Garcia has done on his own he has been "spectacular" during the Ryder Cup.

"Yes, apart from one," Faldo replied.

When Gannon asked if that 2008 Ryder Cup still hurt, Faldo said "he was useless." After some laughter, Faldo added: "Half a point, bad attitude. Anyway, we move on six years later."

Garcia actually earned one point from going 0-2-2 for the week, his worst record in six Ryder Cups.

No scaredy-cats

Negative recruiting is part of the game.

Coaches have been know to take little shots at other programs in an attempt to gain the pledge from a prospect who might be on the fence.

Texas A&M Coach Kevin Sumlin knows this, especially when it comes to receivers. So when he heard four-star receiver DaMarkus Lodge decommitted from the Aggies because he was worried about receiver depth, Sumlin fired back.

"When you play in a system like we play, you've got eight guys that will rotate," Sumlin said. "A lot of things are being said out there in recruiting like, 'Why would you go there and play receiver, they are loaded.' That isn't the case. But if you're scared, you don't need to play here."

Of course, Sumlin didn't mention Lodge by name. That would be a recruiting violation.

Son knows best

He's as analytic as they come, so it's safe to assume Paul Konerko has thoroughly dissected what his future after baseball and the Chicago White Sox holds.

Konerko, a team captain, said he feels as prepared as he can for what's ahead and said Thursday -- four days before his career ends -- that he's at peace with his decision.

Konerko's three children -- all of whom are younger than 10 -- haven't had the chance to process what Dad's retirement means, nor do they have the ability at this point in their young lives to fully comprehend it. So while Konerko plans to step away from baseball after 21 professional seasons, including 16 with the White Sox, he said his oldest son has already established some parameters for how long the absence can last.

"My kid said the other day that he's going to allow me to be out for a year then I have to get back in," Konerko said. "But the reasons are that he's great friends with the kid that lives next door to us [in Chicago], and he loves the chicken fingers at the ballpark. So that's what I'm working with."

QUIZ

What was Nick Faldo's record in the Ryder Cup?

ANSWER

23-19-4

Sports on 09/27/2014

Upcoming Events