Bjorn: Three-day format suits Ryder Cup

Thomas Bjorn is adamant that the Ryder Cup resists falling in line with other team competitions and should stay a three-day match.

Bjorn is captain of Continental Europe this week at the four-day Vivendi Trophy in Paris, where Paul McGinley’s Britain and Ireland side led 6-4 overnight.

Only five points were up for grabs in Thursday’s fourballs and it was the same yesterday.

It was more like the Ryder Cup today with morning and afternoon sessions, but Bjorn does not want to see this format copied when Europe face America.

“I think it should stay at three days – and the reason I say that is I think the first two days here are a bit too boring,” he said.

“There’s not enough going on. I think they are not important enough – there are not enough points being put on the board for it to be exciting.

“I think it’s much better that you stay at three days and keep it the way it is.”

Next month’s Presidents Cup match between the United States and the International side (rest of the world minus Europe) is conducted on similar lines to the Vivendi Trophy – six foursomes day one, six fourballs day two, foursomes and fourballs Saturday, then singles Sunday.

The Americans defend the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor in Wales next year – on October 1-3 when any weather delays could mean darkness arrives before play can be completed.

McGinley, who like Bjorn might well be a future Ryder Cup captain, stated: “I think there’s only one valid reason to go to four days and that is light in the British Isles at that time of year.

“Other than that I don’t think it needs to be changed in my opinion.”

The Ryder Cup has not been held in October since 1983, but that was Florida.

The 1947, 1951, 1955 and 1959 matches were in November believe it or not, but all in the States again.

The latest it has been held on this side of the Atlantic was at Royal Birkdale in Southport in 1965 – October 7-9. Two sessions a day were managed then, plus 16 singles on the last day rather than the current 12.

Interestingly, Colin Montgomerie made out the case last year for a switch to four days – but he did not argue for it on becoming captain this January.

Speaking after fog held up the start of the 2008 Wales Open on the cup course he said then: “There could be delays here. We risked it in Ireland and we just got away with it.

“I think it’s almost got to that stage where two rounds a day we all seem to be rushing around, packing it in, for what reason really?

“I’ve been running around changing rooms in Ryder Cup and trying to get new clothes and stuff and shoes and socks after I’ve been soaked in the morning and having to do it again in the afternoon.

“For what reason? I think the Seve Trophy (what is now the Vivendi Trophy) could show us a thing or two and it would also give more opportunity for more players to play.

“I think the days have come where to get people around twice in a day is very hard work, especially round places as vast as these are.

“So the Ryder Cup over four days I think everybody benefits.”