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

[FairwayDodger]

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?

 

[jimbob.someroo]

I personally think from a US point of view, picking him is a lose-lose.

He's not performed well at previous Ryder Cup's, and isn't in great form and so there's a decent chance he doesn't play great.

If he gets beat, especially by a 'lesser' European name it's still a huge scalp and would really give them Euro team a lift.

So he's less likely to win his matches than previously (when he didn't win too many anyway), but him losing still gives the Euro guys as much of a lift as it did previously cos of who he is ...

Would be great for the Euro team if he was picked and would certainly add viewers regardless of people's personal opinions on him.

PICK HIM!

 

[Lollfred]

He isnt playing that well & his record is not that good in Ryder Cups ... please pick him Tom

 

[FairwayDodger]

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?

 

[moogie]

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?

Nope

 

[SVB]

I personally think from a US point of view, picking him is a lose-lose.

He's not performed well at previous Ryder Cup's, and isn't in great form and so there's a decent chance he doesn't play great.

If he gets beat, especially by a 'lesser' European name it's still a huge scalp and would really give them Euro team a lift.

So he's less likely to win his matches than previously (when he didn't win too many anyway), but him losing still gives the Euro guys as much of a lift as it did previously cos of who he is ...

Would be great for the Euro team if he was picked and would certainly add viewers regardless of people's personal opinions on him.

PICK HIM!

As above.

Re attractivness of RC on TV, I think it is one rare event that is bigger than Tiger, not sure he would make substantive difference (although guess no way to really know).

S

 

[Imurg]

No.
The RC is big enough and competitive enough to not need Tiger to play.
Tiger is not bigger than Golf, although some may argue that, so the World needs to realise that Tiger, regardless of his rating-pulling power, doesn't need to be there for it to be a success.

 

[Deleted member 1418]

I think the Ryder Cup now is at the stage where it is bigger than any of the competitors therefore won't make any difference to the TV figures or sponsors etc whether Tiger is playing or not.

As for making the US team, given his RC record and his current form after returning from injury, I think Watson would be mad to pick him. The last time the USA won the RC Woods wasn't in the team - think that alone gives the answer.

I personally think the Tiger-era is now definitely over with the emergence of all the excellent players over the last 5 years, but given how integral he's become to the game - particularly in the US - in terms of tv figures, sponsors, prize funds etc, then golf is at a bit of a crossroads in terms of these issues. As such definitely need the likes of Rory, Spieth, Kaymer, Bubba, Day and Scott to really step out of the shadow of Tiger and contend week-in, week-out at the regular tour events and at the Majors.

 

[jimbob.someroo]

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?

Apologies for misunderstanding original Q. In this case, absolutely not.

There's no way that Watson will put out someone for the sake of viewing figures alone. They need to win this Ryder Cup, especially after what happened at Medinah. The longer Tiger underperforms on the course, the less relevant he's getting to the viewing public.

There will be kids playing the game now that have never seen Tiger win a major, they've got other players to idolise.

 

[Big D 88]

IMO

Regardless of whether the tiger era has sailed...or even the RC itself is bigger than Tiger

US viewing figures will be larger if Tiger is playing in the RC

Having said that, i don't believe Watson will pick him based on that ...so in truth, i cant see Tiger being at this years RC

 

[moogie]

IMO

Regardless of whether the tiger era has sailed...or even the RC itself is bigger than Tiger

US viewing figures will be larger if Tiger is playing in the RC

Having said that, i don't believe Watson will pick him based on that ...so in truth, i cant see Tiger being at this years RC

Who cares about US viewing figures.....??
Not me

It won't alter the numbers through the gate at the venue or make it less exciting to watch for us on TV
So nobody in this country loses out :thup:

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Nope - Tiger or any player shouldn't be picked based on their name and their standing in the game.

Should only be picked for what they will bring to the team

For Europe I hope they do pick him

 

[One Planer]

No.

With the Ryder Cup being a team event, so no player, no matter what they have achieved in the game, should be picked based simply on who they are.

Anyone who has played any team game knows that you have to have absolute confidence in all players on a team. Do you think some of the Americans would have confidence in Woods based on some recent performances?

Fantastic player for sure, but that withstanding, he should be picked on current form rather than previous merit(s).

 

[Birchy]

Tom Watson will pick Tiger.

 

[Big D 88]

Who cares about US viewing figures.....??
Not me

It won't alter the numbers through the gate at the venue or make it less exciting to watch for us on TV
So nobody in this country loses out :thup:

Because the Q the OP asked was should he picked regardless of form

And my answer was the only reason Tom Watson could pick him based on current form would be because it would increase the popularity back home in USA if Woods was playing.

I also said i dont think Watson would do that though..

 

[Ethan]

Should he be picked? If he doesn't win Bridgestone or the PGA - no.

Will he be picked? He is more likely to give up chasing cocktail waitresses than not to play. There would be riots in the streets in the US.

 

[Big D 88]

Just a thought as well

I know the RC automatic points places are decided from this years PGA tour

But had it been from after the 2012 RC (i.e inc 2013 season) then Tiger would be probably be in it, having won 5 times last year!!

 

[Lollfred]

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?

Not in Europe.

 

[cookelad]

Think the Ryder Cup is probably the only major event not relying on Tiger's presence for the TV coverage!

Would be better for Tom if Tiger qualified by right or cried off injured, as both picking him without form and refusing him while available are potential for a real headache when the USA lose!

 

[Thierry]

Should he be picked - no...
Will he be picked - yes...

And that's a sorry state of affairs!! The US need to start talking up some of the rookies who will be playing (Spieth/English etc) like Europe did at the Solheim to such great success and MOVE ON from Tiger...

As long as Lefty's in (which surely he will be) the stalwarts will still tune in over the pond but it is the rookies who promise most (just PLEASE don't pick Patrick Reid!!)