I’d love chance to topple Tiger at the Ryder Cup
Tommy eyes Paris reunion with Europe v USA legend
Tommy Fleetwood wants a Ryder Cup reunion with Tiger Woods in Paris this September.
The European No.1 played with the former world No.1 for the first time over the first two days at the Masters – and outscored his idol by four shots.
Woods, a 14-time Major winner, failed to find his old form on his return to the Majors as he flirted with missing the cut at Augusta for the first time as a pro.
But English ace Fleetwood insisted teeing up with the American superstar was great experience – and he would have no fears of taking him on again in golf ’s greatest team event.
“He’s the man, isn’t he?” said the world No.12. “Tiger has been an amazing golfer but he’s a lovely person to spend time with. There’s no intimidation there, I’ve been much through much worse patches of my career than playing around Augusta with Tiger Woods so it was a pleasure to play with him.
“I did definitely learn things from him. He’s not had his best game for two days and he’s still on his return to gold but he’s looking better and better every time. He holed nothing for two days but I loved the way he putted.
“He made a little cheeky gag about me hitting it 30 yards past him on the 14th and we talked a little bit now and again. When you’re playing and it’s the Masters you’re sort of getting on with your own thing so it’s not the time for having a get together and catch-up.
“But he was great, we talked quite a bit and I’d love to play with him again.
“I’d like to give Tiger a go at the Ryder Cup and we’ll see how fazed I am then.
“It’s enjoyable and you always have to tell yourself that this is what you want to be doing. I’ve wanted to play with him since being over in America for the last few weeks. It just so happened I got him at Augusta on his return so it was kind of a big deal.
“It’s nothing to be fazed by and you just do your own stuff. He would bring a lot to the Ryder Cup. I’d give it a go, why not? Somebody’s got to!”
Woods hasn’t played at a Ryder Cup since 2012 when Europe claimed a stunning comeback win in the Miracle of Medinah.
But he was a vice captain at Hazeltine in 2016 as the Americans got their hands back on the famous trophy.
Skipper Jim Furyk has already asked Tiger to reprise the role in France this September as the Yanks defend the trophy.
Woods hopes to double up as a player and European skipper Thomas Bjorn hopes he lands a place on the US team to boost the tournament’s profile.
The Dane said: “It would be fantastic for the game of golf if he did play in the Ryder Cup.
“He goes outside borders of the game – a Ryder Cup with Tiger Woods back playing would be amazing.”
But the first two days of the Masters showed Woods’ game is still a work in progress.
Before teeing off on his return to Major golf, Tiger insisted he was coming to Augusta for a win and claimed: “I like my chances.”
However, after opening with a one- over 73, he only just scraped past the cut on four over following a poor second round.
Tiger admitted his iron play was “awful” and described a shot over the fifth green on his way to double bogey as “c**p”.
He also found Rae’s Creek twice on No.12 and three-time Masters champion Nick Faldo said: “I am surprised how he has played. We knew about the driver. It can always be left or right. But his iron shots over the last few weeks were superb. He really lost it at the 12th hole over the first two days. That will really be concerning him.”
Former world No. 1 David Duval added: “We all want to hurry him along and put him at the top of the game.
“But there is a competitive rustiness he still has. And there is a comfort level he needs to refind at the top of the game. He is a sentimental favourite more than a favourite.”