Team USA Ryder Cup legend stokes Europe rivalry | Golf News

Lanny Wadkins has sparked a Ryder Cup firestorm by claiming some Europeans are nothing more than weaklings who crumble under stress from rowdy spectators.

The American icon unleashed the brutal critique as Luke Donald’s staff gears up to face the hostile Bethpage environment, having launched drastic measures to deal with the home help. Wadkins served as a pillar of the event, competing in eight occasions from 1977 to 1993 before taking on captain duties in 1995 at The Belfry.

During his illustrious run, he battled in epic showdowns against Europe, including 4 contests on enemy soil, with just two rivals incomes more factors in American Ryder Cup historical past. Wadkins understands the uphill battle Donald’s roster confronts as Rory McIlroy and company put together for the menacing New York galleries – although Keegan Bradley has been warned his staff is ‘untested’ at Ryder Cups.

However, when requested on the Golf Channel about potential worries relating to Long Island spectators crossing the road with their conduct, he responded: “Well, I hope not. I don’t think they ever have. I think, most parts, they’ve been rowdy.

“I always discover it very attention-grabbing that we never say a phrase about what occurs to us when we’re enjoying in Europe. I do know I’ve been on the first tee as far back as 1985, I acquired launched and had the complete grandstands boo me.”

“You confirmed a image of a shot I’m chipping in at 18 enjoying with Payne Stewart as my companion in an alternate shot match and there must be 5, six people deep behind the inexperienced.

“Everybody’s got their arms folded. Nobody applauding my eagle chip going in. They wanted it to miss. So, I mean, we’ve got the same treatment over there. We just never complained about it. Sometimes I think the Europeans are just a bunch of wusses and can’t handle the heat.”

While the crowds could create difficulties for the Europeans, Wadkins would not anticipate there will likely be something stunning relating to the course.

Donald’s staff practiced at the venue this week and the previous captain explained: “I only played four Ryder Cups, I think, in Europe, and we played Lytham St Annes in ’77 and every other time we played the Belfry. So the players knew the Belfry when we went back in ’89 and then ’93, were familiar with it. It was not anything special. It wasn’t a links course, something we hadn’t played.

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“There are enough Europeans enjoying over right here and, basically, any Ryder Cup course over right here goes to be set up like a US Open or PGA Championship, so they already just about know what to count on when they get right here. I do not assume there are going to be any big surprises at that stage for the Europeans.”

Wadkins is excited for the matches as the hosts look to reclaim the trophy they lost in humiliating fashion two years ago in Rome.

The hosts will be compensated for their participation for the first time, but he stated: “I do not assume the cost ought to matter. I feel any of us would cut off a limb to play on the Ryder Cup staff back when I performed. We wished to play so badly, it never crossed our thoughts to be paid.

“I don’t think any of the pay for play stuff came along until after I was done playing, but it was just a massive honor to represent your country. The money just didn’t even enter the equation.”