Epic battle
Roaring Tiger gives Ryder Cup bite
Resurgent star Tiger Woods and the highest-ranked lineups in Ryder Cup history have built anticipation for thrills and excitement ahead of Friday’s opening matches between Europe and trophy-holders the United States at Le Golf National near Paris.
The Americans seek their first triumph on European soil in 25 years in the biennial team showdown, while Europe’s 12man squad hopes to win for a ninth time in 12 attempts and reclaim the hardware they lost at Hazeltine in 2016.
“It’s all lined up to be something special,” European captain Thomas Bjorn said.
“These are the two best teams world ranking-wise.”
“The golf course, the stands, the fans, all the buildup, being in this great city, that just adds up for it to be a really, really special occasion.”
The US roster has nine major winners and 11 of the world’s 17 top-ranked players, led by world number one Dustin Johnson and thirdranked Brooks Koepka, this year’s US Open and PGA Championship winner.
“There are definitely obstacles to overcome, but the group out there is feisty and confident,” US captain Jim Furyk said of his team.
Europe boast four of the top eight, paced by England’s second-ranked Justin Rose and reigning British Open champion Francesco Molinari of Italy.
In all, the teams combine to have 22 of the world’s top 28 ranked players.
“Are we underdogs? Probably on paper we are. But we still believe that we can win,” Bjorn said. US golfers lead the all-time rivalry 26-13 with two drawn, but Europe own a 10-8 with one drawn edge since the expansion from a British-Irish squad.
The top attraction will be Woods, a 14-time major champion who broke a five-year win drought at the US PGA Tour Championship on Sunday, capping an amazing comeback season after spinal fusion surgery with his 80th title.
“It’s a nice boost for everyone, and I think for Tiger in general,” Furyk said.
“A guy with his status and that number of wins can flip the page and turn his attention to this week.
“He’s working hard and grinding and trying to help the team as much as he can.”
Woods has played on only one cup winner in seven tries, with an overall match record of 13-17 with three drawn.
He is 4-1 with two drawn in Sunday singles but has eight losses in both foursomes (alternate shot) and four-ball (best-ball) pairs formats.
Woods says it will be critical to win the French layout’s tricky 18th hole.
“Those were the matches that swing,” he said.
“Those little half-points to point swings are enormous over the course of the entire cup. Usually, who plays the last hole well determines the cup.”
With a 7,000-seat grandstand looming over a first-tee crucible, plus narrow fairways and dangerous water hazards, Le Golf National offers an impressive stage for the drama to unfold. –