Should the Ryder Cup revert to GB&I?

[JezzE]

There are 24 players in the Ryder Cup, and looking at the top 24 in the world right now (okay slightly contrived link, but bear with me) 8 are GB&I, 8 are USA and just 3 continental Europeans.

Given the strength of British and Irish golf right now and the number of big victories notched up by our boys around the world this year, would now be a good tim to say 'thanks very much' to our European cousins' and revert to just a GB&I team?

 

[USER1999]

On paper, according to the rankings, yes, although the US did win last time so it isn't that one sided. However, how can you kick them out of the party? Once they are in, they are in. There have been some fine Europeans over the years, and they deserve to be in it. To stop them now would be insulting for European golf.

I would rather they kicked out the Scots and the Welsh (if any qualify).

 

[Ethan]

No. Five years ago you couldn't support a GB/I team, and the same may be true in another 5 years. Also, introducing Seve and the Europeans revitalised the Cup and to now say they are no longer welcome would be a level of discourtesy that would wreck the European Tour.

 

[Oddsocks]

it would be, but you also have to remember the euro boys can come into their own and we will not always be as strong as we are now,

once we tell them bye bye, would the ryder cap then need 3 different teams? GB&I, USA, Euro?

 

[DCB]

No !

It's the European Tour remember so the Team should reflect that based upon meeting the qualifying criteria.

Just wait, within the next 20 years there will be a Team that is top heavy with European players rather than GB&I

 

[SyR]

I like it as it it. It keeps everyone on their toes! Also can you imagine if we'd never having the likes of Seve in the Ryder cup? It would have been poorer for it.

 

[viscount17]

absolutely not, would it be the same without a Garcia or Jimenez (not necessarily them but their character). Could we forego the chance of seeing the Molinari brothers going for it or Manassero in a year or two?

I'd, almost, say that there should be a place irrespective of ranking, just to ensure the mix.

 

[StuartD]

No!!!!!

You may have to pick a few useless Scotsmen to make up the 12

 

[John_Findlay]

Under no circumstances!

As well as being probably the greatest act of ingratitude ever shown in the history of the game it's just a fact that these things come and go in phases. In 10 years time there might not be a Irishman or a Brit in the top 20 in the world. It would backfire bigtime

"Thanks for everything, we can cope from here on in" doesn't work for me.

 

[Nikki]

Agreed...

 

[Dodger]

Jezz,come on,I take it things are slow in the office today?

Not a hope in hell,the answer to the question is a no and I am suprised you even asked it...surely you could work it out yourself?

 

[jammydodger]

Why not make it Europe against The Rest of the World now. Join the Yanks up with the rest and we'll have an all encompassing match. Make it teams of...say...16 a side and take it from there.

 

[Dodger]

Why not make it Europe against The Rest of the World now. Join the Yanks up with the rest and we'll have an all encompassing match. Make it teams of...say...16 a side and take it from there.

Why??

The Yanks were still strong enough to beat a very strong Europe last time out.

 

[madandra]

Iconic memories of the Ryder Cup include Seve and Jose Maria Olazabal doing their victory dance. They are included on merit, keep it that way.

 

[toonarmy]

Ridiculous bloody question simply designed to generate copy for the mag.

Poor show.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

No. THere is way too much European history associated with the cup now and it would be a death knell to the European Tour. How long has it taken for the number of Brits and Irish to be that big and that high up the rankings and how long would it take the next generation to make their mark and get equally as high in the rankings.

 

[CrapHacker]

Don't be a plonker, Rodney

 

[AuburnWarrior]

I think the general theme of the answers appears to be NO!

I concur!

I think it's the finest format of any competition in the world. To start with, it's perhaps the fairest way to qualify - it's on merit/form and nothing else. You're not picked purely because of your name/history, you're picked because of how you've played the last 18 months - excellent.

Secondly, it's a truly European affair. The Champions League - not specific to Europeans. The Ryder Cup states from the outset - Europe v USA. If you're from Europe or the USA then you can compete.

As has been said, Seve et al have made this great spectacle what it is. Without them it'd probably be a chore for the players and found on Eurosport! We cannot now say 'thanks very much, now bugger off'.

I must admit that I'm surprised by the question, I hope that you're playing devil's advocate.....

 

[medwayjon]

No for sure, I like the european element of the Ryder cup team and when you look at people like Seve, how could you rob someone like him who may come along the chance to play?

Now if you said can we exclude the welsh..........

 

[John_Findlay]

Now if you said can we exclude the welsh..........

Phlurp......I've just spat oot ma coffee!