Team Europe captain Luke Donald believes next year's Ryder Cup can "unify" the world of golf amid the ongoing saga surrounding the LIV series. The sport is in the midst of a civil war, with LIV and both the PGA and DP World Tour on opposite sides.
Ryder Cup skipper Donald though is hopeful the famous team event will bring golf back together following its recent split. The former world No. 1 said: "The Ryder Cup is bigger than any individual player and it's a great way to unify everyone.
"I think it will continue to do that. What's so great about the Ryder Cup is that it does garner an interest in a new generation of players and fans to this game."
The Ryder Cup itself is embroiled in the controversy, with LIV golfers set to play no part in the event following their dramatic switches. This will have big implications on both teams when Donald and Team USA captain Zach Johnson select their players.
On the European side, stalwarts Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood and Sergio Garcia will are set to be unavailable due to their LIV allegiances, with Donald himself only in the role due to Henrik Stenson being stripped of the job after he made the decision to join the Saudi-backed series earlier this year.
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In the American camp, three members of their 2021 winning team Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau and Dustin Johnson have all made the Saudi switch, as well as marquee names Phil Mickelson and Patrick Reed. One man who is set to play some role for the Americans though is Tiger Woods.
Woods' golf career is very much a part-time one now, following the effects of the injuries he sustained in a high-speed car accident in February 2021.
Whilst the 15-time major winner may not be at the level to compete as a player any more, captain Johnson confirmed he will play some part in the locker room.
Johnson commented: "Given who he [Woods] is and what he's all about, I can't tell you right now: I don't know if he will be here next year, but he will be a part of this team in some capacity. He already is, frankly.
"I can't put this mildly: He loves the Ryder Cup. He has made it a priority. He wants to be a part of it as best he can. He's gone through some things as of late that make it difficult, whether it's travel or what-have-you.
"He and I will be in constant communication. I will welcome that. He has great ideas. Has great encouragement. He's always positive, and you know, the beauty of where we are as Team USA is we have got some really great youth that are participating now at a high level.”
