Ryder Cup 2016: Tiger Woods a ‘future captain’

Whether they are scratch golfers, duffers, or families looking for some fun, fans will have the opportunity to see the famed Ryder Cup Trophy as it makes a month-long, 5,000 mile tour across the nation this summer in the first U.S. Ryder Cup Trophy Tour.

The big concern, according to McIlroy, will be dealing and coping with the overwhelmingly partisan American crowds each day of the three-day biennial showdown.

Dustin Johnson was the top point-getter for the U.S. over the past two seasons, thanks largely to his victories in two World Golf Championships (the 2015 Cadillac Championship and 2016 Bridgestone Invitational) and, most notably, his first major championship triumph in the 2016 U.S. Open at Oakmont.

“I am absolutely delighted with the nine players who have qualified”, Clarke said in a statement.

“In the rookies’ corner it is very rare you begin any such list with the reigning Masters champion but we are fortunate to do just that with Danny Willett while Rafa Cabrera Bello, Matt Fitzpatrick, Andy Sullivan and Chris Wood bring a mixture of consistency and success”.

“He’ll be a future captain, so he’s got to be a part of the decision-making process of this whole new Ryder Cup committee”, Love said.

While McIlroy will be making his fourth straight appearance, he revealed it wasn’t until the 2014 Gleneagles Ryder Cup he felt comfortable in the European Team colours.

Although the 14-time major champion won’t be playing as he continues to recover from numerous back surgeries, he was named as vice captain by captain Davis Love III.

“He’s been my partner in many, many Ryder Cups”, Clarke said at Baltusrol.

Clarke still has three wildcard picks to announce next Tuesday, with all likelihood that they will come from either Scotland’s Russell Knox along with Lee Westwood, Martin Kaymer or the Irish pair of Graeme McDowell and Shane Lowry. There are guys playing here this week who I’m considering and guys playing in The Barclays I’m considering.

The U.S. team is also taking shape with the final three automatic places decided after this week’s Barclays tournament in NY.