Hard to celebrate these celebrations
The United States re-claimed the Ryder Cup over the weekend, and there was lots of celebrating along the way.
There were high fives and fist pumps, and frankly, some of it was ugly.
Watch my latest video commentary or continue reading below:
No, no, I’m not claiming unsportsmanlike conduct like the Europeans did on Friday. Apparently, they didn’t take too kindly to Boo Weekley and J.B. Holmes pumping up the crowd.
Earth to the Euros — golf needs more, not less, of that.
But I have to tell you — golfers need to work on their celebrations. There is not a stiffer bunch of celebrators in sports. They look so robotic, so mechanical.
Even Weekley did. Listen, he might have some of the most humble beginnings of any golfer. His Southern accent is as fun to listen to as any of the Europeans, and frankly, playing this weekend in Kentucky, it sounded like his accent thickened. But even Mr. Down Home looked a wee bit stiff every time he flapped his arms to encourage the crowd.
There’s reason to believe that things have improved over the years, though.
During the weekend’s television coverage, we got to see that old footage of Paul Azinger high fiving his caddy during a Ryder Cup match a few years back. Azinger was the American captain this year, so the TV folks pulled out the old video of him. There Azinger was in a red sweater, making a shot, then high-fiving his caddy again and again and again. He looked so serious yet so stiff and out-of-place doing it.
Another popular highlight of old was Justin Leonard’s Cup-clinching putt a few years back. It was the last time the Americans won the Ryder Cup, and his putt set off a wild, green-side celebration. But Leonard made a little dash around the green after the ball dropped, and it looked like he was running in a straight jacket. His torso seemed to be locked in place, shoulders back, head out.
Awkward.
At least, there were no repeats of that this time around.
Former OSU standout Hunter Mahan did a fist-pumping celebration Sunday that would’ve made Tiger Woods proud. Former OU standout Anthony Kim set some sort of world record for high-fives given.
Maybe the youngsters will save us from celebration embarrassment in future years.
Listen, I’ve got a suggestion for the Americans. Now that you’ve figured out how to win the Ryder Cup again, it’s time to take the next step. It’s time to start working on those celebrations. The next Ryder Cup is in two years.
Get to work.
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How do you still have a job after the Oklahoma State article?!? Wow, that is beyond me. Terrible job by the Oklahoman editor.