Bern Wiesberger and his fellow European-born LIV golfers may have been ostracised from being picked for this year’s Ryder Cup but it has not dampened his support for Luke Donald and his European Team to win back the golden trophy later next month in Rome.

Weisberger posted a closing round of 66 to share eighth place in the inaugural Asian Tour hosted St. Andrews Bay Championship at the Fairmont Resort on the outskirts of the Home of Golf.

It was his first visit to St. Andrews since last year’s 150th Open Championship while the affable Austrian has been a regular competitor in the annual Dunhill Links Championship.

Affable Austrian Bernd Wiesberger speaking with GolfByTourMiss after his closing round at the inaugural Asian Tour event in St. Andrews

“I played okay golf this week but I just struggled judging the greens all week,” he said post his round.

“I also played the par-5s horribly for the four rounds and think I was just one-under on the five but then I was very low on the mistake side with just one bogey all week which was nice.

“I’ll take a top-10 finish for the week plus there’s a couple of World Ranking points which is a nice change. I’ll just keep building on that but for now, it’s three weeks at home”.

The 37-year-old was also asked what he thought of playing a first Asian Tour event in St. Andrews.

“I’ve not played the Fairmont course in any DP World Tour event, so this was a first for me and I entered the event as I did not like the idea of five weeks off, and also I’ve had some good showings in a few LIV events including Greenbrier,” he said.

“It was enjoyable coming back to St. Andrews as we had a couple afternoons in town while the weather was really enjoyable.

“As well, it was a great move on the part of the Asian Tour to host a tournament here in St. Andrews that allowed many players who had not been here before to experience what it like being in St. Andrews while I also got to meet a lot of guys I hadn’t met before including Taichi Kho from Hong Kong, who I played alongside for the first two rounds”.

Of course, there is much talk in golf at present surrounding the Ryder Cup and with USA Ryder Cup captain, Zach Johnson to name his full 12-man side on Tuesday, and with rival European captain, Luke Donald to reveal his dozen players next Monday week September 2nd.

Wieberger was a member of the losing 2021 European Team at Whistling Straits and while he and his fellow LIV players have been ruled out of this year’s selection process it has not dampened his support for Europe in the goal of winning back the Ryder Cup in Rome

“I am rooting for the European guys and having been a member of the team that played two years ago at Whistling Straits”, he said.

“There is not a bit of animosity on my side towards anything European Ryder Cup related while I would like to see a couple of good friends of mine make the team.

“All I can do is wish them well and all the team that they have a great week in Rome, and Europe wins back the cup.’

“The way it’s been the last couple of weeks, Luke has a big decision to make in selecting his six wildcard picks with a number of young players, who have not played a Ryder Cup, in good form.  So, that’s going to be interesting to see who he does pick.

“So, I am going to watch the Ryder Cup intently and all I can do also is to extend to Luke and team he picks my best wishes they each play well and combine to bring the Ryder Cup back into European hands.

“I am number one, six, four in Ryder Cup Europe history and I will forever support Ryder Cup Europe, especially on home soil”.

Very well said, Bernd!