The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Rose ring of confidence as Europeans home in on cup victory
World number one Justin Rose believes the pain of losing the Ryder Cup has made Europe’s players hungry to regain the trophy in Paris next week.
Seeking an unprecedented fourth straight victory in the biennial competition in 2016, Europe were beaten 17-11 at Hazeltine and go into this year’s contest as 6-4 underdogs, despite enjoying home advantage and plenty experience of Le Golf National, venue for the European Tour’s French Open.
“Home support is really important, I think that was a big difference at Hazeltine,” Rose said.
“The Americans wanted it really badly and the crowd were right behind them. We want it back badly now. Losing it has made us all more hungry again.”
Speaking in the countdown to this week’s Tour Championship, where he could win the FedEx Cup title and a £7.6 million bonus, Rose added: “Europe were on a great run for years but losing it really really hurt, so we’re all going to be really determined.
“The Americans are even stronger than they may have been in 2016, they are a great team, but we’re even stronger, too, and up for a challenge.”
Tiger Woods also believes the two sides are evenly matched as he prepares to play the Ryder Cup for the first time since 2012, when he earned just half a point from four matches as Europe recovered from 10-6 down in the “Miracle at Medinah”.
“The European side is one of the best they’ve had,” said Woods. “We have a solid team but so do the Europeans. “It plays out over three days and it’s about playing well at the right time, partnering up at the right time and making putts. Both teams are very deep this year going into the event, so I think it’s going to be a lot of fun for both sides.”
Woods has only been on the winning side once in seven previous Ryder Cups as a player – he was a vice-captain in 2016 – and revealed he was struggling with a back problem during the 2012 contest. The 14-time major winner has since had four back operations, culminating in spinal fusion surgery in April 2017.
Woods, 42, added: “I wasn’t feeling physically well that Ryder Cup, it was where my back started bugging me.”
Cruden Bay Golf Club member Norman Barclay holed his tee shot at Castle Stuart’s 130-yard 11th hole. He used a wedge for his first ace and was partnered by fellow Cruden Bay members Bill Watt, Bruce Middleton and Ali Lawson.