While the first of many grandstands is now starting to be erected at Gleneagles, European captain Paul McGinley stressed the success of the Ryder Cup could hinge on Tiger Woods competing in Scotland.
Workmen took to the Jack Nicklaus designed PGA Centenary course last week ahead of play getting underway on September 26th.
However with Woods currently well outside qualifying automatically the USA Team, the seven-time Ryder Cup star is going to need a Tom Watson ‘wildcard’ pick.
And as McGinley practiced ahead of this week’s French Open on the 2018 Ryder Cup host Le National course outside of Versailles, he spoke of the importance of Woods being a part of this year’s Ryder Cup celebrations.
“Of course, it’s going to take a while for Tiger to get his game back and I’ve said before the Ryder Cup is one of the greatest sporting events in the world and if Tiger Woods is fit then you want to see him playing at Gleneagles,” said McGinley.
Paul McGinley says there may be less cheers and noise if Tiger Woods does not compete in Gleneagles. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)
“The Ryder Cup will definitely benefit from his participation as he’s still the biggest draw card in the game.”
And McGinley also spoke of the need, whether or not Woods travels to Scotland, of the behaviour of players and fans alike.
“Both Tom (Watson) and I have talked about behaviour coming to this Ryder Cup and drawing a line under the level of sportsmanship and the level of cheering that we don’t want to cross,” said McGinley.
“I have been strong about this point as we don’t want any untoward behaviour but then I don’t expect that, and that it will be a very passionate noise, and that’s what makes the Ryder Cup so special because everyone gets so caught up in the Ryder Cup.”
McGinley says also he sees no need to single out French-born Ryder Cup rookie Victor Dubuisson ahead of the biannual showdown.
Dubuisson has been atop of the European points table since capturing last October’s Turkish Airlines Open.
The quietly-spoken 24-year old then cemented his place in McGinley’s team finishing runner-up in February’s WGC – Accenture Match-Play Championship while he strengthened his grip on the top qualifying spot being joint second in the recent Nordea Masters.
Dubuisson is currently top of the team rankings and 110,868 ahead of Sweden’s Henrik Stenson.
“I’ve played alongside Victor a number of times but not since I was made captain,” said McGinley.
“But then I won’t make a point of asking the Tour to be paired with him over coming months. I know his game and I know what he does.
“What I have been doing is that I’m in communication with all the players but it’s just giving them about five to 10 minutes and leaving any lengthy talks till after the U.S. PGA, as I don’t want to get inside their minds too much at this stage.”
