The appointment of a new European Ryder Cup captain next Tuesday in Abu Dhabi will not be swayed by the PGA of America decision choosing Tom Watson to captain the US team for the 2014 Ryder Cup in Scotland.
The Tournament Players Committee will meet in the UAE capital to select a successor to Spain’s 2012 Medinah winning Jose Maria Olazabal.
Thomas Bjorn works on his putting ahead of this week’s Volvo Champions event in Durban. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)
However long-time Committee chairman Thomas Bjorn, and contrary to the recent remarks of fellow committee man Darren Clarke, has ruled out the 13-man committee agreeing on any knee jerk reaction to Watson’s appointment by matching that with a Eur
“As a committee voting for a new European captain we don’t have to react to Tom Watson’s appointment as Europe’s record in past years is pretty impressive,” said Bjorn.
“Though there is no doubt that for the person we appoint it is then going to be tricky in the lead up to the Ryder Cup dealing with Tom Watson.
“If Tom Watson is in the room or he’s in a press conference he will clearly have the edge and that is different compared to someone who has competed in your own generation.
“But then Tom Watson deserves that right and that respect for everyone to listen to what he says but as far as needing to be seen appointing someone to match Tom Watson that will not happen.”
Bjorn who was a vice-captain last year at Medinah confirmed there is officially two nominations to replace Olazabal as the Ireland duo of Paul McGinley and Darren Clarke.
However victorious 2010 European Captain Colin Montgomerie has now loomed large in the captaincy frame stating on the eve of the Volvo Champions event in Durban he would ‘honoured’ if asked at next week’s meeting to again lead Europe and also in Scotland, and on a Gleneagles course less than 15 minutes drive from his home.
If the 49-year old Monty were chosen he would seem an ideal counter to the 63-year old Watson.
And judging by his answers to questions in Durban this week on the subject the Scot is jumping out of his skin to be again involved in a Ryder Cup.
“As I’ve said before and if asked at the meeting next Tuesday to do the job again I would accept. Of course, I would,” said Monty.
“So I am excited and honoured and very flattered really that my name’s been put in the frame and that possibly I’ll be nominated.
“Darren Clarke seems to think we need to change things. We will see. I am just a voice on the committee and I will say my bit accordingly.
“I’ve always said that we need the best man for the job, whoever that is.”
