Should Tiger Get Picked for Ryder Cup, Regardless of Form?

[Pin-seeker]

Tricky one,Should Poulter & Westwood be picked?
Personally I'd pick Poulter even if he isn't in top form but probably wouldn't with Westwood.
Not sure about Tiger tbh.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

The whole event is now bigger than Woods and once he calls it a day, it will still go on, and probably grow further still. I think it's a good pick for Europe if he gets the US nod as I don't think he's seen as unbeatable. I wouldn't fancy him in foursomes as a partner either with his ability to spray the ball regularly

 

[DCB]

Given the last day failings of Team USA last time out I think Tiger will be picked as a wild card purely to help the TV rating back home.

In reality, unless he suddenly comes round and finds fitness and a swing, then he shouldn't really be playing IMO

 

[paddyc]

He does not deserve to be picked but I think Watson will pick him as I am sure there will be pressure from the media,Nike and USGA.

 

[Papas1982]

Have been reading an article about big names struggling to qualify by right for the Ryder Cup and an interesting thought occurred to me.

This is not an attempt to start a Tiger-bashing thread!!

Much has been made about the "Tiger-effect" on golf's profile, number of spectators, viewers etc. We've discussed it on here often enough, for example how viewing figures go up or down depending on whether he's in a tournament or not.

With the Ryder Cup coming up, arguably the golf event most likely to cross into the mainstream for public interest, it's a fair bet that sponsors, TV execs, maybe the organisers and even governing bodies would like to see Tiger there in order to generate this "spike" in interest.

So...... he's playing OK, not great, just back from injury etc. We all know how great he was at his best and how much experience and what a competitor he is so I'm sure he wouldn't let USA down as such. But he only has a couple of tournaments left to remind us of that ability and demonstrate a return to form (if he can). Suppose he doesn't, imagine he finishes down the order at Akron and misses the cut at the PGA.......

Should he be picked regardless? To enhance the spectacle, the occasion, even if it means picking him over a lesser light who happens to have had a better season?

I don't think he should be picked just for TV boosting. I know he shouldn't be bigger than the Ryder cup. And probably won't increase the viewing figures across Europe. But although hard to prove. I can't imagine figures being lower with him in it. The Americans love him. Maybe not his personality but he always draws bigger crowds and viewing figures so I'd say he would be a miss to sponsors.

Should he he be picked if he has a mare? Probably not, but having looked at the top 9 picks. I don't think there are too many stand outs in great form below that for the US to be fair. So it may be a gamble that his talent is still greater than that of his peers. He didn't cover himself in glory at the open. But wasn't a shambles considering his injuries.

Id id like to see him there. As has been mentioned, his record isn't good so any victory over him will boost confidence.

 

[TheClaw]

Sorry, it's a slightly different question I'm trying to pose. Ignoring whatever we think his contribution to the actual team would be.

Should Tiger get picked simply to enhance the profile of the Ryder Cup?

I doubt Watson would base his pick on raising the profile of the Ryder Cup.

It certainly wouldn't be my aim if I were captain!

 

[londonlewis]

I see two sides to this.

You can look at it based on form.
You can look at it based on what viewers want to see.

Based on form (current and previous Ryder Cup form); NO, you don't pick Tiger.
Based on the fact that Tiger brings in a huge number of spectators and TV figures when he is playing are significantly higher than when he isn't ... Harder question to answer.

Tom Watson's dilemma:
If you want a team that can win - you don't pick him.
If you believe you can win it with the other 11 players anyway, absolutely you pick him.
If you think it is going to be tight and all you want to do is win the Ryder Cup, you don't pick him.