Ryder Cup: Voice of experience Billy Foster on hand once again to soothe European nerves

A charter flight heads west from New York to Minnesota today carrying a cargo from the White Rose so strong that one member has labelled it the '˜Yorkshire Republican Army'.
Billy Foster. Picture: Mike Egerton/PABilly Foster. Picture: Mike Egerton/PA
Billy Foster. Picture: Mike Egerton/PA

The Broad Acres will be represented at the Ryder Cup at Hazeltine this week by two players, a pair of coaches and a brace of caddies.

Four of them will be on that short flight this morning, and three of those are rookies; Danny Willett and Matt Fitzpatrick on the playing side, and Jonathan Smart for the caddies.

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The fourth member is a man so seasoned that no one this week, on either side, will have encountered as many of golf’s great biennial duels.

Danny Willett, of England, is congratulated by Lee Westwood's caddy Billy Foster on the 18th hole after finishing the final round of the Masters golf tournamentin April this year. Picture: AP.Danny Willett, of England, is congratulated by Lee Westwood's caddy Billy Foster on the 18th hole after finishing the final round of the Masters golf tournamentin April this year. Picture: AP.
Danny Willett, of England, is congratulated by Lee Westwood's caddy Billy Foster on the 18th hole after finishing the final round of the Masters golf tournamentin April this year. Picture: AP.

Because the 41st Ryder Cup at Hazeltine is Billy Foster’s 13th.

The bagman from Bingley has been helping his employee do battle with the United States since 1987.

This is his third as Lee Westwood’s right-hand man – he missed Medinah four years ago after breaking his leg – with the Worksop veteran the fifth player to take the pint-sized Yorkshireman to a Ryder Cup after Gordon Brand Junior, Seve Ballesteros, Darren Clarke and Sergio Garcia.

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Westwood, who will play in his 10th this week, one shy of record-holder Sir Nick Faldo, will also be on that flight and will no doubt be a source of wisdom for the young rookies to seek out as the pressure ramps up.

Lee Westwood (right) and Billy Foster during the Friday fourball round at the 2010 Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor. Picture: Lynne Cameron/PA.Lee Westwood (right) and Billy Foster during the Friday fourball round at the 2010 Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor. Picture: Lynne Cameron/PA.
Lee Westwood (right) and Billy Foster during the Friday fourball round at the 2010 Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor. Picture: Lynne Cameron/PA.

Foster is the oracle in the caddies’ team room, and as he told this newspaper two years ago ahead of the match at Gleneagles, ‘If a caddie oversteps the mark, I’ll pull him in a bit’.

But it might not just be Smart – caddie to fellow Sheffielder Willett – who seeks the experienced view, and Foster will be only too happy to share his wisdom.

“I’ve had words with them already, I’ll be having words with them on that flight and I’ll be having words with them when they get there,” said Foster, who will see the White Rose ranks swelled further later in the week when South Yorkshire coaches Pete Cowen and Mike Walker arrive.

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“Not just the caddies, but some of the players as well. I’ll be instilling confidence in them and letting them know that there’s as much pressure on the Americans – if not more – because we’re going in as underdogs.

Danny Willett, of England, is congratulated by Lee Westwood's caddy Billy Foster on the 18th hole after finishing the final round of the Masters golf tournamentin April this year. Picture: AP.Danny Willett, of England, is congratulated by Lee Westwood's caddy Billy Foster on the 18th hole after finishing the final round of the Masters golf tournamentin April this year. Picture: AP.
Danny Willett, of England, is congratulated by Lee Westwood's caddy Billy Foster on the 18th hole after finishing the final round of the Masters golf tournamentin April this year. Picture: AP.

“These guys might be rookies but they’ve all won big tournaments; Matt’s won the British Masters, Danny THE Masters, so there’s nothing to be scared of.

“It’s part of my job, having been there a number of times, to go out there and try and build that confidence up in the practice rounds, or before they tee off. I’ll be reminding them of how good they are, that there’s nothing to be scared of, the pressure is on America and they should just go out there and enjoy it. Words of wisdom, bull****, call it what you will. It’s part and parcel of everyone’s role in a team game.”

There may be more call for counsel than in previous years given Clarke’s team has six rookies in it.

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Such inexperience is why Westwood earned a third wildcard call-up after a solid year, highlighted by strong performances in three of the majors.

Lee Westwood (right) and Billy Foster during the Friday fourball round at the 2010 Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor. Picture: Lynne Cameron/PA.Lee Westwood (right) and Billy Foster during the Friday fourball round at the 2010 Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor. Picture: Lynne Cameron/PA.
Lee Westwood (right) and Billy Foster during the Friday fourball round at the 2010 Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor. Picture: Lynne Cameron/PA.

That only half of Team Europe has contributed to their recent dominance – three straight wins and only one defeat this century – also makes the Americans the favourites.

“We’re in a transitional period,” said Foster. “Luke Donald, Ian Poulter, Paul Casey and Graeme McDowell – that’s four great players right there that we’ve lost.

“And they’ve been replaced by young lads. But we’ve got the Masters champion, the Open champion, the Olympic champion and plenty of experience.

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“USA are the bookies’ favourite but I don’t think it’ll be a walkover. I think it will be a very close match yet again.”

And the edge for Europe, Foster believes, may be off the fairways and in the team room, under the influence of captain Clarke.

The Ulsterman and the Yorkshireman shared one of the Ryder Cups most emotive storylines a decade ago when Clarke won three out of three less than a month after his wife died.

The experience formed an unbreakable bond, and an unwavering respect. “Darren has done a great job as captain,” said Foster. “He’s left no stone unturned.

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“The job he did in the EurAsia Cup – all right it’s a lot smaller platform – but the work he did instilling confidence, the pairings he made and the speeches he gave in the team room was impressive.”

And what of Foster? Will a 13th Ryder Cup be his last or just another chapter?

“I just keep plodding along, it’s not getting any easier,” said a man who turned 50 this year. “I think I’ve done 50,000 miles with three or four stone on my back and it’s starting to take it’s toll. I’d love to think I’ve got another four or five years left. I’ll just take it one year at a time.”

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