Azinger, who skippered the last winning U.S. team eight years ago, reckons Westwood is stirring the pot with intent, and that it could backfire on the player and on Europe.
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American captain Davis Love III wasted little time in recruiting the 14-time major victor to his staff once it became apparent that Woods would not be available to play due to injury, and reports claim the he has embraced the challenge. “It might be different if he’s one of the vice-captains -you don’t know”.
Westwood, who has seven Ryder Cup victories from nine appearances, is one of captain Darren Clarke’s three wildcard picks in a 12-man Europe team featuring six rookies. “They have got a strong side and probably are favourites, but they haven’t won it for a while and they are playing in front of a home crowd”, said Westwood.
Rory McIlroy agreed. “From what I have heard and I am close with a lot of the United States guys on the team, they are saying Tiger has been on the phone every week, so he’s really into it”, he said.
“I don’t know if something went wrong on the Sunday, or the team didn’t play very well for some reason, but that will be in the back of their minds”. But ahead of the much-anticipated event in the US, Westwood has questioned the team spirit of the hosts. “Love’s has not picked Bubba Watson and I don’t know what that does for team spirit – he was first outside the points qualification and is No.7 in the world”.
“I don’t know what impact there will be from having Tiger around”, Westwood said, according to ESPN.com. The Ryder Cup 2016 is set to start on September 30, and a wonderful contest is on the cards.
“I think I can partner pretty well with pretty much anyone, except for Phil”, world number two Johnson told reporters on the eve of the Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta.
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More likely is that all of the American players, including the 10 of 11 named with previous losing experience, will turn their focus to beating Europe, not appeasing Woods.
