Is a Senior Ryder Cup on the horizon? McGinley’s keen to open talks
Four-time Ryder Cup winner Paul McGinley says the newly-formed Legends Tour is the first step to a senior version of the biennial clash
A Senior Ryder Cup is something that’s been touted for many years, but Paul McGinley believes the time is now right to take those talks further.
The recent announcement of the Legends Tour opens lots of opportunities for senior professionals and amateurs alike.
And speaking on the NCG Podcast, McGinley, who played on three winning Ryder Cup teams and was victorious as a captain in 2014, says it could be a natural stepping stone to an over-50s version of the biennial showdown between Europe and the United States.
“We’ve got a lot of steps ahead before we go down that road, but it would be great if that were to evolve,” McGinley said. “I know there’s been two or three goes at over the years in terms of negotiations but maybe the time is right now.
“The public would enjoy it, so why not?”
McGinley has taken an ambassadorial role in the Legends Tour, formerly the European Seniors Tour, and says chances for senior players from Europe have dried up on the PGA Tour Champions circuit in the US. And he believes that will add fire to a Senior Ryder Cup which will already be stoked by past rivalries.
“The Champions Tour is very much a closed shop for American players at the moment – even our major winners are not getting starts over there, though that’s worked in our favour.
“So it would actually be the Legends Tour versus the Champions Tour and that would be a lot of fun. We’d have a lot of reason to play well.
“I think we would have a pretty good team, there’s no doubt. Look at Miguel Angel Jimenez, Colin Montgomerie, Darren Clarke, Paul Lawrie, and Thomas Bjorn coming on next year.
“To be past the age of 50 and be involved in something like that. It would give us a real focus on what we’re doing.
“What a great thrill that would be.”
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Listen to the full podcast with Paul McGinley here:
