The appointment of Tiger Woods as one of Davis Love 111’s vice-captains next year at Hazeltine has surprised a few Ryder Cup stars while for the most part it’s been heralded as a ‘smart move’ by Love.
Here is player reaction, both from a number of European Team capped players and also from American Patrick Reed who is competing also in this week’s DP World Tour Championship.
RORY MCILROY – Winning Ryder Cup team 2010, 2012 & 2014.
Rory McIlroy (EUR) during the Sunday Singles Matches at the 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles. The 40th Ryder Cup is being played over the PGA Centenary Course at The Gleneagles Hotel, Perthshire from 26th to 28th September 2014.: Picture David lloyd, www.golffile.ie: 28/09/2014
“You mean, he’s not playing?
“So I don’t know what to think about it, I really don’t. But then it’s great he wants to help the U.S. Team in any way he can, and if that’s not in a playing capacity, then as a vice captain.
“So it makes me think what really is his health like and how he feels but then I would rather see him on the course at Hazeltine, but if not, at least, he’ll be there and it will be a good addition for them.
“It’s a smart move, definitely. One of the smarter ones.”
MARTIN KAYMER – Winning Ryder Cup team 2010, 2012 & 2014.
Martin Kaymer (EUR) during the Sunday Singles Matches at the 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles. The 40th Ryder Cup is being played over the PGA Centenary Course at The Gleneagles Hotel, Perthshire from 26th to 28th September 2014.: Picture Eoin Clarke, www.golffile.ie: 28/09/2014
“It is a very young and still active playing number of vice-captains but then I am also surprised not knowing that Tiger’s injury might be so bad that he can’t get back to playing golf.
“It’s nice that Tiger still wants to be part of the Ryder Cup but then I would have to know Tiger Woods, and I don’t, to know what he would bring to the US team.
“I’m sure Tiger can bring inspiration but then in the Ryder Cup’s I have played in, it seems the players do look up to him for encouragement and inspiration.
“He’s been such a big part of the Ryder Cup but then it’s surprising for me to learn he is going to be a vice-captain.”
LUKE DONALD – Winning Ryder Cup team 2004, 2006, 2010 & 2012
Luke Donald tees off during Practice Day 1 at the 2010 Ryder Cup at the Celtic Manor Twenty Ten Course, Newport, Wales, 28th September 2010..(Picture Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ie)
“I thought Jim Furyk would still want to be playing in the team as well as Tiger but then being a vice-captain is usually a pre-cursor to becoming a captain, so it could be all about getting a feeling of what is involved and what is needed in being a captain.
“So it is quite a threesome Davis announced yesterday.
“It’s clear Tiger will bring a lot of Ryder Cup experience and hopefully some leadership, and with all three having been there before so as players they should know what they react well to in terms of either encouragement or even a kick up the backside.
“So if you have been in a Ryder Cup as a player and you’re there now as a vice-captain or a captain you know how to spur on the team.”
IAN POULTER – Winning Ryder Cup team 2004, 2010, 2012 & 2014 plus member of 2008 team.
Ian Poulter Europe press conference during Thursday’s Practice Day of the Ryder Cup 2014 played on the PGA Centenary Course at the Gleneagles Hotel, Auchterarder, Scotland.: Picture Eoin Clarke, www.golffile.ie: 24th September 2014
“You’ve just told me (not knowing Woods had been picked as a vice-captain). I don’t read the newspapers.
“Smart move
“Why wouldn’t Tiger want to be part of that team, whether it be playing or even vice captain. He’s been a part of that team for so many years. That’s Tiger. He creates a buzz whether he’s playing or not. So just his presence there would be a good thing. So, smart move.
“I think his body has taken an awful lot of punishment over the last few years. He went back in for another back surgery, as we know. And that’s obviously difficult. It’s going to be difficult for him to come back from that. It’s an early announcement but it’s not a bad announcement.
“I am really not sure a vice captain will give any team an edge. I mean, bringing a lot of experience, is what Davis is doing, and guys would respect what Tiger’s done in the game of golf. So to have him in the team room, would be good for the team.
“You know, we we peg it up in Hazeltine, the US would have held the trophy twice in 22 years.”
PATRICK REED – Unbeaten member of 2014 USA losing team.
Patrick Reed (USA) during the Sunday Singles Matches at the 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles. The 40th Ryder Cup is being played over the PGA Centenary Course at The Gleneagles Hotel, Perthshire from 26th to 28th September 2014.: Picture Fran Caffrey, www.golffile.ie: 28/09/2014
“The three Davis has chosen are not only great guys but also really good leaders and really great golfers.
“All I can do is hopefully qualify for the team and play some good golf to get myself on that team, and hopefully we can get back for some sweet revenge.
“Tiger will bring a lot of intensity, motivation and drive to the team room, and I’m pretty sure he will be pushing the guys just as our captain and all the guys will.
“If we need to be pushed to play well or play hard then we are not doing our job so it’s going to be fun having Tiger there and hopefully we can play well for our captain, and play well for the United States.
“It’s hoped that we can at least make interesting coming down the last day and not see it end in a complete blow out as it did last year.
Big impact on the young guys?
“It’s early and we are not even to January yet when qualifying starts so we have an entire year to go.
“But then it’s going to be great having Tiger there and all we can really hope for is that we can play well for our captain and our vice-captains, and the United States.
“Besides that if we play flat-footed or play well then it doesn’t really mean anything so hopefully we can step it up and get the Ryder Cup back into American hands.
Does is it matter his Ryder Cup record is not good?
“No, not really and while his Ryder Cup record might be great, I think everything else in Tiger’s golf game and what he has done in the game is pretty solid, and I will take all his other records if he wants (laughing).
“So I will be happy to hand him my Ryder Cup record if he wants to give me the others as it doesn’t matter to me.”
Is the selection of Furyk a surprise – who can still very much make the team?
“No, not really and it’s just one of those things if Jim in playing in the team or he’s not as whatever his role is, he will be important.
What influence does Tiger have on young guys like yourself?
“Just his determination and drive and how he plays the game because when he gets inside those ropes he has that laser focus, and goes for it.
“It seems that when I was growing up whoever played alongside him, and it didn’t matter who they were, but their stroke average would just sky rocket and that was the intimidation factor he enjoyed at that time.
“So when you look at today’s younger generation we did have to deal with that and it’s more to do as we have witnessed how he plays and we’ve carried a similar attitude as he did.
Does it make this generation more aggressive?
“I wouldn’t say more aggressive as we still focussing on our own game, and besides there are plenty of guys who don’t hit it as far because the shorter guys off the tee can still be very aggressive because they will still have a lot of wedges in their game.
A lot will say the fear of winning has gone and that it is not a not a long apprenticeship now when you come out on tour?
“We have all started to work harder because we’ve seen what Tiger Woods has done like being up before sunrise practicing and still working on his golf game late at night, and I think that is the reason why these guys are getting better at a younger age.”
