USA Ryder Cup captain Tom Watson revealed he will be in Scotland in the week prior The Open to play a round on the PGA Centenary Course at Gleneagles.
It will be Watson’s second visit to Scotland in some nine months after being present at the Perthshire course last September as part of the Ryder Cup ‘Year to Go’ celebrations.
“I am planning on going back to Gleneagles maybe in the week before The Open,” he said.
“And I think I will suggest those who could make the team the opportunity to go and play Gleneagles around the time of The Open.”
The PGA Championship course is a Jack Nicklaus design and when opened it caused enormous controversy given it was the first golf course in the Home of Golf to have motorised cart paths.
Tom Watson (Bernie in background) will be at Gleneagles in the week before The Open.
But aside from that, Watson indicated he will not be tempted to contact Nicklaus to discuss any aspect of the course.
“No, I don’t think that will be needed as the guys competing can easily find out what they need to know for themselves. I haven’t played it yet but I don’t think there is too many gimmes.
“I’ve also heard it can get pretty warm in July and there might be some sweating, but it would be nice to go and play it.”
Watson was asked, given his playing schedule, if he could focus entirely at this stage of the qualifying process on the captaincy role.
“I’m focused on the Ryder Cup but we are still in the second quarter at this time and it’s a little early to be getting too excited as we still have two quarters remaining,” he said.
“You have to remember we haven’t got to the stage of double qualifying points for the four Majors, so that could change things dramatically.
“But then things will hot-up around the Open Championship and that is probably when qualifying will start to solidify, so after Hoylake we will start seeing some definite spots in the team.
“Of course, the PGA Championship is the end of qualifying but up until to that time I will be playing four more events with the youngsters and I will also to get to see many of the Europeans who could be making the European side.
“Raymond (Floyd – vice-captain) is undertaking the same thing and he’s been here at Augusta all week. One of the great things about Raymond and the Ryder Cup that he also attended the last five Ryder Cups. He loves the Ryder Cup and knows everything about the Ryder Cup and I rely a lot on his wisdom.”
Watson also indicated that with some six months to the Ryder Cup he is adding more regular PGA Tour events to his schedule to get more familiar with those likely to make the USA Team
“I’m going to play the Heritage next week, which I haven’t played in years and the reason is I want to go see some of the younger players there and I’ll be able to see them at the Greenbrier Classic, I’ll be able to see them at the Open Championship, and the PGA,” he said.
“And I’ve done a bit of scouting this week as I played with Jimmy Walker in a practice round and he’s a lovely player. So it’s good to have a chance to help the players a little bit.”
However Watson has yet crossed paths this week with European Team rival captain, Paul McGinley who is at the Masters commentating for SKY Sports TV.
“No, I haven’t seen Paul yet but maybe before the week’s out we can catch-up,” said Watson.
