Tiger looks set to be the on-course leader in Paris for Captain Furyk
Few people would have imagined Tiger Woods playing at a Ryder Cup again. But now that he is back, he will embrace a leadership role in the American team. That is the view of former US captain Lanny Wadkins, who has been as fascinated as the rest of us by Tiger’s golf during his comeback season. From small, but positive steps in the first few months, it has gained pace this summer with his high finishes at both The Open and the US PGA. To see his name topping the leaderboard at different times on the Saturday and Sunday at Carnoustie, and then to see him try to chase down eventual winner Brooks Koepka at Bellerive, sent excitement levels into overdrive. It wasn’t quite enough to earn an automatic spot for Le Golf National, but it made it an easy decision for Jim Furyk to hand him a wildcard. Now Woods is preparing for his eighth Ryder Cup, and first since 2012. But he has only been on the winning team once from the previous seven matches. In his pomp, he was questioned for never being a true team player, but Wadkins is convinced the 42-year-old is different now. “Tiger has been a vice-captain for the last two international teams (the Ryder Cup in 2016 and last year’s Presidents Cup), and he is getting into the spirit of it,” says Wadkins. “His personality has definitely mellowed while he was away from the game. “I think he will embrace a leadership role within the team, and I’m not sure he’s done that before. “He seems to be in a good enough shape physically and, if his body stands up to it, I would expect him to play four or even five matches. “He seems to have bonded with Bryson DeChambeau by playing practice rounds together, so that could well be a pairing. “Tiger’s comeback has been exciting to watch, and his swing is as good as I can remember seeing it. “It’s amazing because when he is playing well, the galleries are bigger and TV audiences are more than double. “Tiger has a huge worldwide following, which could work in the USA’s favour, as there may not be so many partisan fans rooting against him in France.” When Wadkins was captain in 1995 against The Sunday Post’s Bernard Gallacher at Oak Hill, Phil Mickelson made his debut for the
Americans. He has played in every Ryder Cup since. Now 48, this will be No. 12 and his former skipper thinks Phil should be used sparingly by Furyk. “I only played Phil in fourballs,” explains Wadkins. “We all know Phil can be a little crooked off the tee and he’s better off playing his own ball. “In some of the places he hits, there is only Phil Mickelson capable of getting out of there. “So I would expect him to play the fourballs and the singles. He did that in 1995 and won three out of three.” Between them Woods and Mickelson have won 19 Majors and played a combined 18 Ryder Cups, but one thing is missing – a win on European soil. A quarter-of-a-century has now passed since the Americans won a Ryder Cup over here, and Wadkins was part of the team that won at the Belfry. There have been five failed attempts since then and the 68-yearold, who played in eight matches between 1977 and that triumph in 1993, can sense an extra determination to put that right. “This is one of the strongest teams we have had in a long time,” he states. “There is no glaring weakness. “If everyone plays to their billing, the Americans should dominate. But Ryder Cups are not played on paper. The number of times it’s come down to a single point is amazing. “The key is the foursomes. If the US can break even in those games, they will be in great shape. “I look at some of the potential players in the fourballs – Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Tony Finau and Bryson DeChambeau – these guys are birdie machines. “They could be daunting opponents to take down. “We have a whole generation of players who have never won in Europe, so that’s why we’re ready to go. The US is more fired up than for a good while. “Of course, there will be homefield advantage for Europe, but you have to embrace that. “I remember playing at The Belfry alongside Mark O’Meara and we were booed on the first tee. Mark was as white as a sheet, but I relished it. “I loved the Ryder Cup. I made my debut in 1977 and once you have played one, you never want to miss it. “This is the biggest event in golf and an unbelievable showcase for the sport. There is such a build up to it. But now it’s time to quit talking and start playing!”