US captain Pavin keeps battle plans up his sleeve

Newport: While European captain Colin Montgomerie has been happy to share some of his battle plans for this week’s Ryder Cup, US counterpart Corey Pavin has been a little more coy about his intentions.

A meticulous Montgomerie has penned his speech for the week, win or lose, and said he already knew which members of his team would tee it up in Friday morning’s fourballs and furthermore that all 12 of his players would be in action on the first day. It could just be the opening salvo in a series of pre-match mind games but Pavin was rather less forthcoming on Monday. “The players have an idea of the direction I am going to go but there is no reason for me ... to discuss it too much until I actually write the pairings down on paper and turn them in,” said the US skipper. “I have a very good idea of what we’re going to do,” added Pavin in a joint news conference held at the Celtic Manor resort with Montgomerie sat by his side. The American also said he would ‘go with the flow’ as far as his public speaking commitments were concerned during the 38th edition of the biennial team event. “I don’t have a speech written yet,” said Pavin. “I haven’t really given that much thought. “I like to kind of speak from my heart and with what’s on my mind and try to go with that. I have written some notes about (the opening ceremony) on Thursday but for the most part I just like to jot down down a few notes.” Excited Players Pavin, who arrived in Cardiff on Monday morning after he and his team had flown overnight from Atlanta on a charter jet, said one of his first tasks was to make sure his 12 players were fully attuned to the team aspect of the competition. “I have had to almost calm down some people, the guys are so excited to be here and to play,” he said. “I have just tried to manage that a little bit with the guys and make them realise that what happens to one happens to all. “We are very glad to be here. The flight was your typical red-eye flight overnight -- a tough flight,” added Pavin. “It’s great to be here, it’s amazing the week is here (at last). It’s been almost a two-year journey to get to this point.” Pavin said it would be a unique experience to captain the US Ryder Cup team, having previously played in the event in 1991, 1993 and 1995. “It’s a whole different atmosphere,” said the 50-year-old. “There is the administrative side and the managing of the players which I haven’t done until now. “There will be a lot of satisfaction in preparing and getting everything done properly. If I can do everything I can as captain to do my job, then I’ll be very satisfied and it will be a different type of satisfaction than I would ever have as a player.” Pavin, however, is glad he will not have to pull his own clubs out of the bag. “I have no desire to play this week,” he said. “I haven’t touched a club for about a month so I don’t think I would perform very well.” Bureau Report