Euro captain Bjorn wants reborn Tiger to light up the Cup
THOMAS BJORN has claimed Tiger Woods playing in the Ryder Cup will be “the best thing that could happen to the game of golf”.
The European captain (above, chatting to Phil Mickelson at Carnoustie) was delighted Francesco Molinari snapped a streak of five consecutive American Major wins at The Open. But Woods was the other star there and, after starting the year ranked world No.656, he is back in the world’s top 50 and in the field for next week’s WGC-Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone – an event he has won eight times.
Woods, who is now No.20 in the US rankings, has been named as one of Jim Furyk’s vice-captains.
But Bjorn said: “The first 27 holes on Saturday and Sunday was like the Tiger Woods of old. He was very, very impressive the way he went about his golf and I’m delighted to see him back in this form. He will contend in Major championships and win tournaments again.
“And for the game of golf we saw this last weekend, having Tiger Woods back creates e extra interest. I’d love to see him in Paris for so many reasons but mostly because i it’s absolutely the best thing t that could happen to the g game of golf.”
Molinari has won three of his last six events and tops the European Ryder Cup rankings. And the Dane said: “We are delighted this side of the Atlantic with our guys winning Majors.”
NEXT month’s USPGA Championship will be broadcast free online in a groundbreaking move by the new Eleven Sports network. The Major, from Missouri, will also be available on an app for phones and tablets. First four players from the European points list, currently Francesco Molinari, Justin Rose, Tyrrell Hatton and Tommy Fleetwood. They will be joined by the first four on the world points list who have not already qualified via the European list... so far Jon Rahm, Alex Noren, Rory McIlroy and Paul Casey. Then four captain’s picks. First eight in the standings, currently Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson, Patrick Reek, Justin Thomas, Bubba Watson, Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler and Webb Simpson. Then four picks. Tiger Woods is currently 1,937 points behind Simpson, with four qualifying tournaments left.