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The first point of call was the tag of “favourites”.
Following the victory at Hazeltine, the USA will be
considered the favourites going into this Ryder
Cup.
Neither man looked concerned with Europe being
the underdog. Instead, Woosnam was quick to
point out that it happens all the time. “They are
always the favourites usually”, he said in a very
matter of fact way. Torrance, on the other hand,
emphasised that the tag doesn’t matter opting to
focus that regardless, it will be closer than we
think.
The 2002 captain said: “I think we were the
favourites once but it doesn’t matter who the
favourites are. I think Thomas will do a great job
that can take on anyone.” Before Torrance could
but both teams are building up fantastically. It’s a
continue, Woosie quickly interjected by saying that:
changing of the guard on both sides. The young
“All of sudden it seems to have kicked in. For me, the
players that are coming through look great on
team looks much stronger now than what it was
both sides so it’s looking like a great contest.”
three months ago. They are a group of lads that are
just waiting to burst out like they have in the States.”
Home advantage is often important. Next year the
Ryder Cup heads to Le Golf Nationale just outside
The issue of captain’s picks followed. Now the
Paris. The choice of course and the set up is in
Europeans have four picks just like their opponents.
European hands as hosts. Both Woosnam and
Some will see this as a level playing field. Woosnam
Torrance agree that this will be a major factor.
is firmly in that camp: “If we want to win the Ryder
Torrance focused on the fact that being on the
Cup we have to have four picks. You want to have
European Tour schedule for so long it will be the
your best team. Paul Casey hasn’t been in for a few
Europeans that know the course better. He said:
times and should have been in. But that’s the rules.
“We’ve played it many times. The players know the
The top players are what you want isn’t it?”
course well. Thomas will set the course up to suit
the Europeans. There’s no better advantage really
It is difficult to disagree with him but Torrance does
than being at home.”
see some pitfalls. He highlighted that: “He’s (Bjorn)
given himself tough decisions. He’s really going to
Woosnam added: “It’s not like it’s a boomer’s
a look at his selections and pick carefully. He’s
have
Imag
course either. You’ve got to be a good iron player
given himself more options and there is nothing
really. The more you play that golf course the
wrong with having four picks but it might
better it is. Going across that water...the more you
complicate things when it comes to picking your
play the easier, well not easier but the more you
team.”
could know what it’s it going to do.”
In some respects the jury is still out in terms of
Strength in depth has sometimes been an issue for
whether the Ryder Cup will be in European hands at
the Europeans with the top players often carrying
the end of the contest but with many in the game
the load. Torrance and Woosnam, however, believe
suggesting that the Ryder Cup is already a done deal
that that has improved with the European Tour
in terms of a USA victory, then I suggest you come
producing some fine players such as Tyrrell Hatton
and have a chat with Ian Woosnam and Sam
and Tommy Fleetwood. Torrance was quick to
Torrence. They think it is still up for grabs and if
answer when we asked if strength in depth better
anything, they will suggest that Europe is used to
than it used to be?
being the underdog and that Thomas Bjorn will have
a team ready for a good contest.
“Oh 100% yeah, we are always used to the top five
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