SAYS TIGER WOODS

photographers and TV cameras wherever he plays.

But when he steps on to the first tee at Muirfield Village Golf Club tomorrow for his first competitive round in five months the only sound is likely to be chirping birds, with the PGA Tour banning spectators for all events this season.

PGA Tour in mid-February when he laboured through a final-round 77 at the Genesis Invitational where he finished last among players who made the cut.

He also feels the Ryder Cup is not the same without fans as he backed the decision to postpone the Whistling Straits showpiece until next year.

The biennial clash between the US and Europe had been due to take place in September but continuing concerns over coronavirus meant event organisers were unable to guarantee the Wisconsin venue could safely host spectators this year and opted to push it back until 2021.

Woods, who has played in eight Ryder Cups during his long and highly-successful career, highlighted how integral the support to the competition is and said it could not take place without them.

The US star said: “Quite frankly, a Ryder Cup without fans is not the Ryder Cup.

“So when the Ryder Cup first started there weren’t that many people involved in the game but the world has expanded, the event has expanded.

“And, as far as I can remember, I’ve always seen people involved in a Ryder Cup – the chanting and screaming and the participation, the bipartisanship that has been part of the sport and part of the event.”