Dean Wilson – One of the Good Guys
Dean Wilson outlasted Tom Lehman in a playoff yesterday to win the International at Castle Pines in Colorado. Wilson’s prior claim-to-fame before winning yesterday was his classy approach to playing with Annika Sorenstam three years ago at the Colonial in Ft. Worth, Texas. Wilson probably got more mileage out that pairing than anything else he’s done since, but he can finally put that to rest as he’s now a PGA tour winner.
Thankfully, we don’t have to discuss Tom Lehman’s possible option to actually play on the Ryder Cup team. I have given this some more thought and here’s the way I see it:
If Lehman somehow makes the team by winning the PGA Championship, and then decides to become a playing captain, what message does that send to his players? If I’m a player, I’m thinking that our leader doesn’t think we’re capable of winning unless he plays. Isn’t that analgous to Bill Parcells or Bill Cowher suiting up Sunday? What’s the point?
Secondly, if a player-captain is the correct approach, then it should be a player currently in his prime. Woods, and Mickelson come to mind, but would they be interested? Probably not. Not at the current pay scale.