Quitely-spoken Gary Woodland delivered Ryder Cup Captain, Davis Love good cause for 2012 USA Ryder Cup selection.
Woodland and team mate, Matt Kurchar delivered the United States it’s 24th World Cup success in the 56-event history of the two-man team event.
Also it was the second week in succession an American team had clinched one of the major team events in men’s professional golf after defeating the International Team a week earlier in the Presidents Cup in Melbourne, Australia.
But as Woodland sat back in the departure lounge of Haikou International Airport bound for Los Angeles and this week’s Tiger Woods hosted Chevron World Challenge he revealed his dream now of being a member of the 2012 U.S. Ryder Cup team.
“The Ryder Cup has always been a huge goal of mine and that goal is now much more important after Matt and I won the World Cup,” said Kucher.
“Ever since I turned professional I have dreamt about being in a U.S. Ryder Cup team and it now seems a big step closer after this World Cup win.
“I had the goal at the start of the year to make the Presidents Cup but that didn’t pan out but then Matt chose me to partner him in the World Cup and I could not be more happier.”
Victory on the Blackstone course in Haikou, China delivered the U.S. two of the three major team events in men’s pro golf.
The only trophy now not in possession of the U.S. is the Ryder Cup.
However Woodland believes that could change next September at Medinah.
“Europe has kind of had the States number for the past few Ryder Cups but it would be nice to be in the team and win back the trophy on home turf,” he said.
“It’s been a long while since the States had the Ryder Cup, World Cup and Presidents Cup in the same trophy cabinet but for me, winning the World Cup is going to be a big inspiration for to make the Ryder Cup team,” he said.
“Any time you can prove you can play Foursome and Fourball team format it definitely helps.
“It helps my confidence and it further boosts Matt’s confidence given also he was on last week’s winning Presidents Cup side.
“Hopefully, both he and I can play well enough in 2012 to make Davis’ side.
“I grew up watching the Ryder Cup and it would be an honour for me to play on a U.S. Ryder Cup side.”
And with the make-up of both the Jose Maria Olazabal’s defending European along with Davis Love 111’s USA side certain to be one of the youngest for some time, Woodland says the ‘fatherly’ work being undertaken by the likes of Phil Mickelson and Jim Furyk can only bolster the chances of the American team.
“There are now a lot of younger players who could qualify for the next Ryder Cup team and we’re slowly getting there to the stage of wrestling back the Ryder Cup from Europe,” said Woodland.
“The strong aspect of the States team is that there are guys like Phil Mickelson and Jim Furyk, who I heard were excellent in the Presidents Cup acting very much like coaches down there in Australia.
“They were very helpful to the younger members of the team and that’s something Matt undertook with me this week.
“He was always very positive, very encouraging and always very helpful in putting me at ease.
“Now that the likelihood of the next Ryder Cup team is going to be much younger team than we’ve seen in a long time, it’s great that players like Phil, Jim and also Matt are taking on this fatherly like role.’
“I’ve just learned so much from playing alongside Matt this week and that’s going to be a great springboard for me to take into 2012.
“I also hope Davis has taken some notes this week because I hope I’ve proved I can handle myself capably in a team format.”
