“I think it’s more measurable for the Americans” - Paul Azinger feels the emotions related to Ryder Cup make it special
Paul Azinger is considered one of the stalwarts to play on the PGA Tour. The Massachusetts-born golfer has won 12 tournaments on the Tour, including a major win at the 1993 PGA Championship. He has been part of the United States Ryder Cup team five times and captained them in 2008.
Recently, the 63-year-old attended the NBC Sports Ryder Cup Media Conference Call. While speaking of the intensity of the biennial event, he shared that the series means the world to the players. He added that the win is more measurable for the Americans.
"This is an emotional event for the players. It means the world to them. I think for Europe, it's immeasurable what it means for them to win the Ryder Cup. I think it's more measurable for the Americans. I always feel that Europe should be the favorite in these events," said Azinger.
Azinger also noted that the American players have played very little on European soil. So to win the Ryder Cup, they need to know the course and out-prepare their counterparts.
"The key to winning Ryder Cup always, I don’t ever believe there's been a shortcut to it, you have to get the right players there, but you have to out-prepare the other team. Knowing the course is the key to that."
"This particular course can be manipulated" - Paul Azinger feels the European team has an advantage to win the Ryder Cup on home soil
The last time the United States won the prestigious match-play event in Europe was in 1993. Paul Azinger was part of that team and earned one valuable point in a winning cause at the Brabazon Course in The Belfry, England.
When asked about why they could not repeat the feat again since then, Azinger replied that it could not be truly explained. However, he did acknowledge the fact that playing at home is advantageous.
"I don't think there is a true explanation for it. However, I do believe that there is something magical about being on your home soil that Europe has really been able to take advantage of through the years, a lot of it by course setup," said Azinger.
Paul Azinger added that the Marco Simone Golf Club's course could be manipulated and help add more home-field advantage for the European team at the upcoming Ryder Cup.
"This particular course can be manipulated quite a bit. I feel like the chance for Europe to increase their home-field advantage is pretty great."
The former PGA Championship winner added that, as per Kerry Haigh, he was the first captain to take control of the Ryder Cup course in 2008. However, he pointed out that the Europeans had been doing the same since 1950 and added that Tony Jacklin had done that during his tenure as a captain.