United States
Profile: Tom Lehman (capt)
| Born | Austin, Minnesota |
|---|---|
| age | 47 |
| height | 6ft 2in |
| Turned Pro | 1982 |
| World ranking | 39 |
| Appearances | (3) 1995-97-99 |
| Won | Lost | Halved | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Singles | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Foursomes | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Fourball | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total | 5 | 3 | 2 |
| Win Rate | 60% |
Tom Lehman had been playing so well at one point he was putting himself into contention for a place on his own team. This was a situation which raised much debate, some suggesting a playing captain doesn't work while others noted that Arnold Palmer had done it before.
Either way Lehman put the matter to bed by declaring that he wouldn't make himself available to play and as it turned out the 47-year-old eventually slipped off the pace in the Ryder Cup race. Perhaps just as well given the magnitude this biennial team event has become in modern times.
Lehman comes across as an articulate and level-headed captain who will undoubtedly get the best out of a team which has it's share of rookies combined with the usual blend of experience. Having lost four of the last five encounters, the Americans are considered slight underdogs for the first time – at least that's the line they are happy touting – and will be more determined than ever to return home with the cup.
The man from Minnesota is no stranger to Ryder Cup encounters, having played in three consecutive matches since 1995. Chants of unsporting conduct were bandied around at Brookline in 1999 when the Americans prematurely raced all over Jose Maria Olazabal's line on the 17th when Justin Leonard holed a monster putt. At the time Lehman was accused in some quarters of instigating the frenzy. Sam Torrance said: “Tom Lehman may call himself a man of God but his behaviour was disgraceful”. Perhaps not entirely fair to single out one individual though.
Lehman, whose career highlight remains his Open win at Royal Lytham in 1996, also boasts a strong record from his playing days in the Ryder Cup. He played 10 matches in all, won five, halved two and lost three. He has an unblemished singles record winning all three, first he beat Seve Ballesteros 4 and 3 in the top match in 1995, trounced Ignacio Garrido 7 and 6 in 1997 and beat Lee Westwood 3 and 2 in Brookline.
In the early days Lehman struggled to make headway on the minor tours through the 1980s and once turned down the chance to become the University of Minnesota golf coach because it would have meant selling skiing equipment during the winter.
The fact is Lehman has come a long way and he knows what a great honour it is to be captain of a Ryder Cup side. All his energies will focus on making sure he is a winning Ryder Cup captain.
- Paul Gallagher