Who remembers the 1969 Ryder Cup where 18 of the 32 matches went down to the final green at Royal Birkdale? In what was such a tense and competitive event, Jack Nicklaus displayed an incredible moment of sportsmanship when he conceded Tony Jacklins putt on the 18th to halve the Ryder Cup. However, some of his teammates and especially Captain Sam Snead were less than impressed such was the desire to win.

Or what of the 1991 Battle on Kiawah Island? Following on from the feud between Seve Ballesteros and Paul Azinger over allegations of Cheating at the Belfry, the tension this year rose to unprecedented levels. The US Team came out dressed in Khaki baseball caps as though preparing for a war. In fact, a war on the shore is exactly what we got with the American Golfers criticised for going completely overboard.

1999 again saw the Americans being accused of some gamesmanship. Trailing going into the final day, the Americans seemed to be possessed and were fist pumping, dancing, jumping and just about doing anything they could to get the crowd involved. It worked but was however marred when the American team and wives ran on to the green when Justin Leonard holed a monster putt against Olazabal, when Olazabal still had a putt to halve the hole.

So, when the young talented Irishman with goofy looking hair, Rory McIlroy, comes out and says the Ryder Cup is not a priority for him, you begin to wonder. When he claims it is just an exhibition match, you question has he not been following the Ryder Cup over the years or something? Captain Montgomerie had to smile in front of the cameras after to explain that Rory was young and would learn once he had played in the competition. However, I cant help but think Monty behind closed doors would have been gritting his teeth at the thought of a young kid denouncing the Ryder Cup as simply an exhibition.

Rory McIlroy is a fantastic young talent and someone who is sure to challenge the very best in golf and I cant wait to see it. We do not need him however down-playing the Ryder Cup as though he is some experienced campaigner. Think of all the passionate great players we have seen in the Ryder Cup….Walter Hagen, Bobby Jones, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Payne Stewart, Christy O’Connor Snr & Jnr, Seve Ballersteros, Bernhard Langer, Colin Montgomerie….the list goes on and on. I proclaim Tiger Woods has the same attitude as Rory with the Ryder Cup. Last September, the number one golfer in the world was missing due to injury but, surprise surprise, the US Team won. Why? Passion!! Pure and simple passion! Think Anthony Kim, think Boo Weekley, think J.B Holmes……even Jim Furyk started dancing (well we are not sure what he was doing but his legs and arms were moving all over the place).

You see, the Ryder Cup is much more than an exhibition. It is each and every Europeans or Amercians right to claim thay have the best Tour in the World. It is true the matches sometimes go overboard but who cares (provided its kept inside the ropes)? I want to see that…I want to see Rory hole a 20ft and pump his fist at his American opponent. Golf is a game based on etiquette but every two years, at the Ryder Cup, it becomes a war, a competitive hatred develops but that is all it is…competitive. I want to see Sergio Garcia hand the smug little Kim an ass whopping the next time because that is exactly the faith he suffered when they met last time….but wasn’t it great for the game? A young cocky Kim strutting his stuff to the adoring fans, a gladiator taking centre stage at the Colosseum. Or Boo Weekley riding his driver down the first fairway….Fantastic!

So Rory, we will forgive your blasphemous words but be warned!! If you think you can walk into the Ryder Cup without something to prove, you are sadly mistaken. If you cant unerstand that every golfer the world over would give anything for the opportunity to play in the Ryder Cup, then you are sadly mistaken. If you think the passionate Europeans will forgive you for thinking the Ryder Cup can be treated with the individualistic and nonchalant contempt I believe Woods has shown toward the Ryder Cup, you are very much mistaken! We want the Ryder Cup back and with Captain Montgomerie on board, the passion and fight is back. Poulter, Garcia et all will be reborn and the war will commence!

This is competiton. This is Passion. This is the Ryder Cup!!