James backing for Ryder Cup bid
Former Ryder Cup captain Mark James is backing Europe to retain the famous trophy at the K Club in September.
Ian Woosnam will take charge of the European team in the defence of the title they won under the guidance of Bernhard Langer at Oakland Hills in 2004.
But James believes the Irish course will play into the hands of the Welshman’s side.
James told PA Sport: “We will win and will have a really good side.
“The American team will be reasonably good, but, round the K Club – which we know well – we will have the edge.”
James claims European golf has never been as strong as it is now.
Swede Johan Edfors, 410th in the world at the start of the year, became the shock winner of the Quinn Direct British Masters at The Belfry on Sunday.
James added: “European golf is extremely strong with great depth.
“Edfors came out of nowhere on Sunday, played with great maturity and produced a really solid round of golf.
“He deserved it and there are a lot of great players like him. British golf, too, is in great shape.
“You mention Luke Donald and Paul Casey and you can reel off the names of many more great stars.
“If you look at the players who aren’t in the top 10 in the Ryder Cup points at the moment, like Casey, Darren Clarke and Ian Poulter, they are incredibly good players.
“We have huge depth and have a pool of about 15 to 20 tremendously good players who could all do well.
“I don’t think Woosy will be too worried about the content of the team.”
Casey let the British Masters slip from his grasp this year, but James expects him to be named by Woosnam.
He created a furore after saying he “hated” Americans – a remark he claims was misquoted – and was subjected to abuse on the PGA Tour.
But James believes he is on the way back despite his latest problems.
He said: “Paul has come through a difficult 18 months with his comments, which were misquoted and a little misunderstood.
“He shouldn’t have maybe made them but he is starting to play well again.
“I expect to see him up there again in the next few months and force himself into the team.
“What happened yesterday is one of those things. He took a bit of a risk that didn’t come off but these young players are very attacking players.
“You can’t stop them doing things like that and doing things like that is what wins tournaments.
“Next time he may think twice about doing that, but, next time, he will do the same and win by three shots.
“These young lads are great and play shots, which, 20 years ago, we wouldn’t have dreamt of going for.”
Darren Clarke, whose wife has been ill, is also down the pecking order in the Ryder Cup points.
But, even if the Irishman fails to recoup points, James is backing him to land a wild card.
Clarke also fell out of contention at the Belfry going into the final round well placed.
James said: “He’s been playing under very difficult circumstances.
“He is an amazing player and year on year is one of the most consistent players we’ve ever had in Europe.
“Week-to-week, he is not consistent but, every year, he is amazing and, in the Ryder Cup, he always performs so he will be there no matter what.
“Woosy will be looking to give him a wild card even if he doesn’t get the points. It’s been tough but he will be there.
“Sometimes you get on a run like that and finish second a lot and then suddenly it stops.
“He is going through that period. It happened to Tom Watson where he couldn’t seem to win and then got over it to win everything so this is just one of those spells.”
James was speaking at the launch of GolfersConnect.com, a new golf networking website, which gives access to courses worldwide for a membership price of £25.
