Justin Thomas has suggested that he would love to see St Andrews host a Ryder Cup, though he has admitted that it is almost certainly never going to happen.
The Ryder Cup has become the biggest event in the game of golf. Few tournaments create better drama or stir up stronger emotions.
Who is the best iron player?
Justin Thomas has arguably put a lot of his American teammates to shame with how he has embraced the Ryder Cup over the last eight years. Thomas could certainly not be accused of not caring despite the trope that Team USA are not as passionate about the event as the Europeans.
And Thomas has now suggested that he would love to see a Ryder Cup hosted at The Home of Golf.
Justin Thomas would love to see a Ryder Cup at St Andrews
Thomas was asked on The Smylie Show to put together a medal podium of the courses that have hosted the Walker Cup – the 32-year-old played in the event in 2013 – and he was full of praise for The Old Course.
“St Andrews, I think, is gold. I would love, I just don’t see how it’s physically possible, but somehow, someway, for a Ryder Cup at St Andrews. There’s no way that could happen, but could you just imagine how sick that would be, and matches somehow coming down the Road Hole and coming down to 18? It would be epic, just so epic,” he said.
“So I’m going St Andrews. I’m probably going to say Cypress. It’s just so beautiful, never gets old. And the golf course I think is really, really fun, and good. This is tough. I’m going to be biased, I’m going National Golf Links because I was there.
“And I think a factor you have to add in there is your Walker Cup experience, the golf courses you can play around it. I’m probably going to go play Shinnecock, go play Sebonack, go play Southampton, Friar’s Head, there’s a lot of good options.”
When St Andrews most recently bid to host the Ryder Cup
The Ryder Cup has only developed into the animal we see today over the last two decades. It is striking to look back on the size of the grandstand at The K Club in 2006 when you compare that with the likes of Le Golf National in 2018 or Bethpage Black last September.
With that, it is slightly surprising that St Andrews never hosted the Ryder Cup in the 20th century.
There was a bid to host what was set to be the 2009 Ryder Cup. However, as reported by the Irish Examiner, St Andrews withdrew from the running to increase the likelihood of the event returning to Scotland, with four other courses in the mix.
What do you think about Luke Donald’s appointment?
Of course, Celtic Manor would end up being awarded Wales’ first Ryder Cup when the event was played in 2010.
Scotland, meanwhile, would have to wait until 2014 when Gleneagles hosted the event.
Given the infrastructure required to host a Ryder Cup, it does seem unlikely that The Old Course will host the event in the future.
However, it is hard to disagree with Thomas’ view that it would be an incredible spectacle.
Receive exclusive golf news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
