A drained Oliver Wilson spent last week resting in the South of France after the trials of his Ryder Cup selection.
He returned at the weekend but decided to miss the Mercedes-Benz Championship to prepare properly, before flying out with the team to Valhalla and his first Ryder Cup appearance.
Boyed by his selection for the team he feels his whole game, includi
ng confidence, is exactly where it needs to be for what will be the biggest week of his career so far.
Over the last week questions have been asked about the least known member of the European Team and the first team member without a professional win.
“Both teams are going through a change, missing players that would normally be there, and both sides will be much younger than normal,” said the former Augusta Ste University star.
“As an amateur I won quite a few college tournaments doing stupid things on the last few holes to win, like chipping in and making eagles.
“When I have been in contention as a pro I have expected something to happen and it hasn’t. Hopefully that will come. I don’t think as a pro I’ve done anything yet.
“I want to win a lot but there is time to do that after the Ryder Cup.
“Being part of the Ryder Cup will give me as big a buzz as winning. I love team golf. And the Ryder Cup is the ultimate in that regard.”
l England will return empty-handed from the European seniors’ team championship at Wouwse Plantage, Netherlands, after losing 3½-1½ to France in the bronze medal play-off.
The day started well for England with an impressive foursomes victory by Sherwood Forest’s Janet Collingham and Cheshire’s Barbara Laird.
But the French took control in the singles with clear victories over English seniors’ champion Sue Dye of Cheshire and Christine Watson of Buckinghamshire.
Hampshire’s Chris Quinn was also beaten after a good battle with Cecilia Mourque-D’Algue who birdied the short 16th to go two up.
The match ended when the players halved the 17th. Yorkshire’s Carolyn Kirk was one-up playing the 17th having come back from two down.
But when the overall result went France’s way, her match was declared a half.
“This business of taking a half is very difficult because it deprives players of the chance of winning a point for England,” said Cathy. “The match could have ended 3-2.”
Team captain Cathy Bowerbank said: “We are all very disappointed. Everyone has played their hearts out and we had a really strong team.
“Unfortunately the opposition was stronger on the day.”
In the final, Spain beat Sweden 3-2.
The full article contains 463 words and appears in Ashfield Chad newspaper.
