Dan undaunted by PGA Cup clash

Lincolnshire PGA Professional Dan Greenwood is remaining ‘laidback’ about the impending skirmish between Great Britain & Ireland and the United States at next week’s PGA Cup in Northumberland.

Forest Pines professional Greenwood, who booked his place in the 10-man team after winning the Glenmuir PGA Professional Championship at De Vere Slaley Hall in June, will be making his first appearance in the Ryder-Cup equivalent for PGA Professionals.

The tournament, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary, is being staged at Slaley Hall, the scene of Greenwood’s epic nine-stroke victory, over September 20-22.

The jocular 40-year-old is taking the clash between the two transatlantic rivals firmly in his stride rather than increasing the heat, as Great Britain look to win the biennial contest for the first time since 2005.

Greenwood admits his own build up to the event has been low key with parental duties required over the summer.

“The tournament hasn’t been on my mind at all over the summer,” he said.

“The kids have been off school for six weeks and when I haven’t been working I’ve been looking after them and keeping them entertained.

“The closest I’ve got to thinking about it is when my PGA Cup team kit arrived as reminder. But now it’s nearly here I’m really looking forward to it, especially having six days away with the wife without the kids!

“I’m quite laidback about the whole thing. It’s kind of built up into us and them, but they’re not really the enemy. It’s a round of golf against someone from America.”

However, there has been regular contact with the team’s vice captain Jon Bevan, while Greenwood has also sounded out the thoughts of past PGA Cup players from the Midlands ahead of the three-day match, which will feature foursomes, fourballs and a singles match play.

“I’ve been in touch with Jon and he’s been texting me about stuff and seeing if there’s anyone in particular in the team I want to play with,” he said. “I know Jon is very much ‘get at them’ and I’m sure he’ll be like that next week.

“I’ve also spoken to Paul Wesselingh, who’s a veteran of these events, James Whatley and Danny Taylor.  They didn’t really impart any tips or tactics they just told me to enjoy the experience.”

To generate a more compelling and competitive conclusion to each individual match, the host venue has switched round the front and back nine, a move that has been welcomed by Greenwood, who admitted that his status as the reigning PGA Champion may cause a few eyebrows to be raised by the opposition.

“I am sure it may work in my favour on the tee when they know they’re playing the PGA champion over the course he won on – I’ve just go to make sure I hit that first tee shot straight so they don’t think how did he win!” quipped Greenwood.

“As for switching round the nines, I think that’s a great idea. Those that last four or five holes will be perfect for match play and deciding the outcome of games. I can see a lot of drama and matches switching one way or another.”

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