b. Dan Marino had been the fastest to 40,000 | Forum
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Dec 24 '17
VIRGINIA WATER, England - It was not an easy phone call for European Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley — breaking the news to Luke Donald that he was being left off the team to face the United States at Gleneagles this month. Marcelo Grohe Jersey . Donald is a former No. 1 who has lifted the trophy with Europe on each of his four Ryder Cup appearances. But he was the big omission when McGinley picked Stephen Gallacher, Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter as his three wild-card selections Tuesday. "That was a very, very difficult conversation — my relationship with Luke is very close," said McGinley, who was Donalds playing partner for the Englishmans first Ryder Cup match. "He was very, very disappointed, and rightly so. ...His record in the Ryder Cup stands with anybody in the game." Donald has one of the best short games in the world and is a brilliant putter, making him a key player in Europes wins in 2004, 06, 10 and 12. But he has struggled for form this year after making changes to his swing. Second place at the RBC Heritage in April was his last top-30 finish on the PGA Tour, a shadow of the player who rose to No. 1 and was the leading money-winner on both sides of the Atlantic in 2011. McGinley said Donald reacted in classy fashion when told he wasnt being selected. "Even though you have not picked me, I still believe youll be a great captain," McGinley quoted him as saying. "His last few words were: Go Europe. I think that says a lot about Luke." McGinley has three rookies in the 12-man team that will face the U.S. in Scotland from Sept. 26-28, with Gallacher joining Victor Dubuisson and Jamie Donaldson. The other players who qualified automatically for McGinleys team were Rory McIlroy, Henrik Stenson, Sergio Garcia, Justin Rose, Martin Kaymer, Thomas Bjorn and Graeme McDowell. McGinley announced his captains picks at European Tour headquarters at Wentworth hours before U.S. captain Tom Watson was to reveal his. McGinley said it came down to a choice between Donald and Westwood. "Lee just slightly pipped him," McGinley said. For McGinley, the fact Gallacher lives only 35 miles (56 kms) from Gleneagles and would be a crowd favourite did not factor into the decision-making process. "Theres no doubt Stevie Gallacher has proved himself and earned his spot on this team," McGinley said. The 39-year-old Scot narrowly missed out on automatic selection after finishing third at the Italian Open on Sunday. A top-two finish would have seen him oust McDowell as the final qualifier. But it was Gallachers eighth top-10 finish in 2014, leaving him as the form player of the four in contention. Gallacher has played well at Gleneagles in recent years, losing out in a three-man playoff at the Johnnie Walker Championship in 2013. "Of course its a concern to me that hes a rookie, and its very difficult to pick a rookie for a Ryder Cup," McGinley said. "But Ive said all along from day one, Im not afraid to pick a rookie if he proves himself." Gallachers uncle, Bernard, captained Europe in the Ryder Cup in 1991, 93 and 95. "Its massive for me and my family," Gallacher said after calling into the news conference. "It was a long day yesterday (waiting for the call) ... A couple of drinks settled me down nicely." Europe is defending the trophy after its 14 1/2-13 1/2 win over the United States at Medinah in 2012. Poulter, Westwood and Donald have been stalwarts for Europe over the past decade, helping the team win five of the last six cups, but havent been in top form this year. Poulter usually saves his best performances for the Ryder Cup. He has 12 wins from 15 matches, and is on a seven-match winning streak — the last four coming at the "Miracle in Medinah" when Europe came from 10-6 down on the final day to retain the cup. "Ian Poulter is a bundle of energy whenever you speak to him. You could feel the energy coming down the phone," McGinley said. Westwood will be playing in his ninth straight Ryder Cup, with his accuracy from tee to green likely counting in his favour. He has played well below his best for much of 2014 but won the Malaysian Open in April and responded to calls from McGinley to show some form by shooting a final-round 63 at the Bridgestone Invitational last month before finishing tied for 15th at the PGA Championship. "I think Paul has picked me for my experience," Westwood said. "I have played under eight different captains and pretty much seen all it can throw at you." David Luiz Jersey . The 25-year-old native of Milford, Conn., has 18 points in 41 games this season. The five-foot-eight 166-pound centre also has 28 points (10-18) in 15 games with AHL Oklahoma City. Fabinho Jersey . - The Florida Panthers are getting some Army training to finish off their preparations for the season.NEW ORLEANS - Pierre Thomas kept his body compact and his thick legs churning, bursting through thin seams in the Tampa Bay defence, slipping away from some tacklers and surging through others.Eight seasons after entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent, Thomas still comes up with the big gains on screen passes and on the ground that have been the hallmarks of his career.On Sunday, Thomas had 112 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns, the Saints overcame an 11-point fourth-quarter deficit to force overtime, and Thomas understudy, Khiry Robinson, capped a 37-31 victory with a tackle-breaking 18-yard touchdown run.Few were more thankful for Thomas performance than star quarterback Drew Brees, whose three interceptions put the Saints (2-3) in danger of falling into last place in the NFC South.Brees called Thomas everything youd want in a teammate in regards to not only his production on game day but throughout the week.He can do it all, Brees added. Hes one of the best all-purpose backs in the league, no question, and hes been that for a long time.With a shoulder injury forcing tight end Jimmy Graham from the game in the second quarter, Brees still passed for 371 yards. But he also misfired 22 times, finishing 35 of 57.Thomas became one of Brees top targets, catching eight passes for 77 yards, including a 15-yard touchdown on a screen pass. He rushed for 35 yards, highlighted by his 27-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.Robinson rushed 21 times for 89 yards. Thomas, Robinson and fellow running back Travaris Cadet combined for 228 yards from scrimmage and four TDs.We dug deep and did what we have to do to win, Thomas said. We never gave up hope. We kept fighting, fighting and fighting. It shows how much heart we have.The Buccaneers (1-4) hurt themselves with 15 penalties for 113 yards, none more damaging than the flag on cornerback Johnthan Banks in overtime for illegal hands to the face as Brees threw incomplete on third down.The penalties really hurt us, Bucs coach Lovie Smith said, adding that infractions like the one Banks committed are ones you just cant make.Tampa Bay quarterback Mike Glennon was 19 for 32 for 249 yards and two touchdowns. He was intercepted once in the first half and sacked by Junior Galette for a safety in the fourth quarter.Starting for Josh McCown (injured thumb), Glennon nearlly got his second straight victory in a stadium where the Bucs have not won since the last game of the 2010 regular season. Philippe Coutinho Jersey. That was also the last time the Saints lost in the Superdome with coach Sean Payton a€” who was suspended in 2012 a€” roaming the sideline.Tampa Bay held a two-score lead early in the fourth quarter after Glennons 9-yard pass to Robert Herron, capping a drive highlighted by a 34-yard completion to Vincent Jackson.The Saints cut it 31-26 on Thomas rushing TD, then failed to convert a 2-point try. But with the Superdome crowd roaring, the Bucs offence seemed to unravel. A holding penalty was followed by a botched snap, then a pair of pre-snap penalties that backed Tamp Bay up against its goal line.We were up five at the time and would have liked to have moved the ball and get points, but at least push them back so they didnt have great field position, Glennon said. It was not well-executed by us and its something well look at.The series ended when Galette stunted inside behind defensive end Cameron Jordans outside pass rush and had a free run at Glennon for a safety that made it a 31-28.I saw the opening and shot it, Galette said.New Orleans then capped the next drive with Shayne Grahams 44-yard field goal to tie it with 2:30 left.The Bucs did not score until Patrick Murrays 55-yard field goal made it 13-3 with 1:54 left in the second quarter. Soon after, Banks cut in front of Cadet for an interception on the Saints 40. Glennon then found receiver Louis Murphy for a 20-yard score to make it 13-10.Bobby Raineys 9-yard run made it 17-13 early in the third quarter. Brees then threw his second interception as he was bumped and falling backward. Danny Lansanah grabbed the errant throw and galloped 33 yards for his second touchdown on an interception this season.Brees responded with a 5-yard TD pass to Cadet, setting up a wild fourth quarter.NOTES: In addition to Jimmy Graham, the Saints also lost C Jonathan Goodwin (knee) and LB Ramon Humber (ankle) to injuries during the game. ... The Bucs did not announce any injuries. ... Brees surpassed 40,000 yards passing with the Saints in his 132nd game with the club. Dan Marino had been the fastest to 40,000 yards with one club, doing so with Miami in 153 games.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL ;Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys From China Cheap NFL Jerseys Authentic Wholesale Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys China NFL Cheap Jerseys ' ' '
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