Azinger to British writer: 'That’s none of your business'
The best exchange from Paul Azinger’s mostly dull press conference Tuesday pitted Azinger versus John Hopkins, the veteran golf writer from the Times of London. Azinger has been notably guarded around the media since hammering Nick Faldo in another British paper, the Daily Mail, in April, and when Hopkins pushed Azinger on an unrelated—and relatively benign—question, Azinger grew increasingly curt and aggravated.
Here’s how it played out, though sadly the transcript doesn’t capture the wealth of awkward silence and Azinger teeth-gnashing throughout:
Hopkins: Hello, how are you?
Azinger: I’m fine. I know this will be a tough question. Go ahead.
Hopkins: We’ll leave the tough question to the second point, but the first point is that Nick said on Sunday that he only wants one vice captain, and he believes that’s all he needs; could you envisage yourself doing what you’re doing with only one person to help you?
Azinger: Yes. (Laughter).
Hopkins: Why have you got three then?
Azinger: Well, that’s none of your business. (Laughter) What difference does it make to you how many assistants I have?
Hopkins: Well, I’m just wondering, why Nick would say he only needed one; one seems to me, or to have only two, seems to be rather few when there are four matches on the golf course, and that’s the view of most people.
Azinger: I’m not Nick. We’re different people.
Hopkins: But you’re saying that you need more than two; is that right?
Azinger: No. I’m not saying that.
Hopkins: Well, then what are you saying, Paul? (Laughter).
Azinger: I’m not paid to say anything. (Laughter).
Julius Mason, PGA of America mediator: Is there another question you would like to throw at the captain, John?
Hopkins: Would anything less than victory for the United States be acceptable?
Azinger: Well, what do you think?
Hopkins: Well, here we go again. (Laughter) I tell you what I think. I think that under the circumstances, it might be, but I’m not the captain.
Azinger: I’m glad you’re not the captain. I don’t want to answer any questions, John, about that. That’s a tricky question, and you even told me when you asked me that question the other day that I shouldn’t have answered it, so I don’t know why you would expect me to answer it now.
Hopkins: Okay. Thank you very much.
Azinger: Okay.
Posted by: paul | Sep 4, 2008 1:06:59 PM
What's so tricky about the first question? If he said somethin along the lines of: "Most times there are four matches under way and I want my eyes and ears on all of them. Plus I want my players to have the assistant's support should they need it." Just skip the reference to Nick Faldo and you've given a perfectly reasonable answer to a perfectly reasonable question?
Posted by: Patrick | Sep 4, 2008 11:27:08 AM
the press is hell bent on making veryone who stands for something look like a fool...is this journalism?
Posted by: Alan | Sep 4, 2008 11:11:58 AM
The view from "over the pond" is that Azinger is being over negative. Either he thinks he can't win or he's purposely playing down the prospects of a U.S. victory so he keeps the media / public backlash to a minimum. However, personally, I think he's playing a clever game and he's loving the role of the underdog. I believe the Europeans are over-confident and could be in for a beating. My money is on a narrow U.S. win.
Posted by: JMW | Sep 4, 2008 10:26:09 AM
Sounds to me like Azinger doesn't give a rat's arse what reporters, pundits, commentators, and people on this board think. I'd say that's a good thing since none of us posting here are Ryder Cup veterans. Give them the finger Paul! It's not like having a "likable fellow" as a Captain has worked for the USA lately now has it?
Posted by: Jeff | Sep 4, 2008 8:50:36 AM
To James and Michael....Please go back to your fish and chips. See you on the course.
Posted by: Ralph | Sep 4, 2008 8:49:37 AM
Geez,
Can you imagine what a whiny old woman Azinger is going to sound like after he gets thumped? The British press is going to love beating him more than Tiger. Also, I thought that Faldo was supposed to be the thin-skinned one...
Posted by: walon dixon | Sep 4, 2008 7:58:27 AM
If Mr. Azinger needs 3 people to help him, let him have 3. Victory is what it's all about. Good luck to Paul and his great players.wd
Posted by: Dave | Sep 4, 2008 7:40:06 AM
I think Randy is right. Anyway. who gives a rats a*$ what a writer from the enemies country thinks?
Posted by: Bill | Sep 4, 2008 6:09:07 AM
Reporters ask stupid questions. How can a loss be considered acceptable? its a dumb question.
Its like asking people who win at anything "So what does this win mean for you? DUH it means a lot thank you very much.
To all reporters stop asking dumb stupid questions
Posted by: Adrian | Sep 4, 2008 2:37:57 AM
Zinger's being defensive but can you blame him? Those are trick questions.
Posted by: randy | Sep 4, 2008 1:34:35 AM
i think that mike and james need to go screw themselves
Posted by: Michael | Sep 3, 2008 8:04:05 PM
What else needs to be said. Azinger is not only a jerk but is silly as a captain.
Posted by: James | Sep 3, 2008 7:06:29 PM
Sounds like Azinger is a retard