Ryder Cup winning hero Graeme McDowell has backed suggestions the biannual showdown between Europe and the USA could one day be staged in Dubai.
With the 2020 Ryder Cup headed for France future venues remain up for grabs with Turkey already expressing interest in hosting the golf world’s biggest team showcase.
Last January the Omega Dubai Desert Classic celebrated its 25th anniversary while next year the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship will herald the 10th staging of the event in the UAE capital.
Graeme McDowelll backing any move to take the Ryder Cup to Dubai. (Photo – www.golffile.ie)
Also this December marks the sixth staging of the Race to Dubai season-ending DP World Tour Championship at Jumeriah Estates.
Earlier this year U.S. business tycoon Donald Trump was back in Dubai with renewed plans for a Gil Hanse designed 18-hole golf course and hotel resort project that he hopes one day will see the hosting of the Ryder Cup.
McDowell has played in the last three Ryder Cups and will always be remembered as holing the winning putt to secure Europe victory in the 2010 encounter at Celtic Manor in Wales.
And with a U.S. Open title under his belt, and also given McDowell’s excellent communications ability, he would be expected to one day lead Europe into competition against the Americans.
“When you say a Ryder Cup in Dubai, it sounds a little kind of crazy, but you know, when you look at what Dubai and the Middle East means to The European Tour, it would be a pretty ‐‐ it would be a pretty amazing Ryder Cup venue, let’s be honest,” he said on the eve of the Irish Open in Cork.
“I don’t think the Americans would have a problem with it.
“They have got some amazing golf courses over there and it would be a hell of a showcase for world golf.
“Dubai, like I say, is a crazy thought, but there’s no doubt Dubai is kind of the spiritual headquarters of the European Tour.
“So I couldn’t really ‐‐ I wouldn’t have a problem with the argument that it could have potential to be a Ryder Cup venue, which that would be a fun place to have a Ryder Cup.”
