Hot topic: My fears for Ryder Cup tears

Woosnam - controversial picks

I've got a nasty feeling this Ryder Cup is going to end in tears. Not that I'm convinced the US is going to win but I fear the recriminations over Ian Woosnam's captaincy will drag on…and on.

In criticising his failure not only to pick the Dane but fail to communicate his decision before announcing it to the media, Thomas Bjorn exposed Woosnam's lack of understanding of a player's emotional feelings at such a tense time in their life and their career.

Bjorn knew, with the talk surrounding Darren Clarke's likely selection that the last remaining Captain's pick would be between him and the equally experienced Lee Westwood.

He hung around for a couple of hours waiting for a pre-announcement call or visit from Woosnam - one way or the other. But, allegedly, it wasn't until he turned on the television that he discovered that Westwood got the nod instead.

Understandably Bjorn was furious as well as desperately disappointed.

And that's no way to treat a fellow professional, whom the Welshman should have known was passionately keen to represent Europe again in this bi-ennial matchplay battle.

When he heard of Bjorn's reaction, Woosnam sought him out in the hotel bar but by then it was too late, the Dane had already exploded with vitriol to any media within earshot, claiming Woosnam had behaved 'pathetically' throughout the campaign of his captaincy.

"I'm hoping Europe wins inspite of his captaincy. He has really gone down in my estimation," said Bjorn. "He's certainly no friend of mine and has put a lot of players through a lot of misery simply because he's incapable of doing the right thing."

After that any words spoken by Woosnam to the disillusioned Bjorn would merely have poured oil on already tense and troubled water.

Bjorn - furious

It's little wonder that the European Tour has fined Bjorn £10,000 for his outburst - the difference between 30th and 40th place in most Tour events - but you can feel some sympathy for him.

Sadly I believe, if the rookie-peppered US team make a better fist of the Ryder Cup than many expect, Woosnam might be lacking in the motivational skills needed to pull his team back into shape.

He's a do-er rather than someone who can influence by words and the occasional clenched fist. A farmer's boy from the Welsh borders, he's had to battle his way to the top of his profession, and doesn't possess the sophistication to generate the desire to win in others.

He'll also be aware that he has to overcome his personal demons in making after dinner speeches and controlling press conferences during the Ryder Cup populated by baying and demanding journalists.

Compared to his articulate US opposition number, Tom Lehman, a nervous chuckle and a caustic aside, just won't do.

I hope I'm proved wrong and that Woosnam, whom I got to know quite well while I had him under contract to provide a series of instructional articles during the early 1990s, will influence his players through his own determination.

But I fear he may yet boil over if the news media, rather than his numerous friends within the golf-writing circle, start to get under his skin and dig too deep, as they inevitably will.

The Ryder Cup is a global event, watched by billions around the world; the spotlight will be intense - let's hope Woosie can cope.