"Tom Watson will make them play as a team" Ian Woosnam

Ian Woosnam, 2006 Ryder Cup Captain, told Golf Monthly that he believes the Americans will put up a strong fight in the 2014 Ryder Cup

Ian Woosnam, 2006 Ryder Cup Captain, has told Golf Monthly that despite their status as firm underdogs, he expects the American team to put up a strong fight at the 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles.

“The American side looks pretty well balanced,” said Woosnam. “It’s a great little team and I think Tom Watson will make them play as a team. That’s very important and maybe that’s what has been what is lacking over the last few years.”

He said, “You can’t just put it down to Tiger. You look at it and Tiger Woods has been in that team for not far off the last 20 years and only been on one winning team. You don’t know what goes on in that team room and maybe its down to the captain or whatever it is. It will be interesting to see how they play this time. Maybe they just haven’t got the balance right somehow.”

Ian Woosnam was the man responsible for leading Europe to victory at the K Club by the astonishing margin of 18 ½ to 9 ½. During the foursomes and fourballs, the Welshman uncovered some creative pairings that were able to steal the initiative from the Americans.

Ian Woosnam believes that after the European team struggled in the foursomes and fourballs at Medinah last time out, that captain Paul McGinley will have to look at trying some new pairings.

“It’ll be interesting. I played a few holes with Dubuisson the other day. I’ve never met the lad and he’s so quiet and laid back. Who is he going to put with him? He’s a hell of a strong player. For me you need a bit of a character to break the ice. Sometimes you can be too serious. Would he and Garcia work well together?”