Ian Woosnam has damaged his silence and reacted to the criticism of him by Denmark’s Thomas Bjorn by claiming that his European Ryder Cup squad might be energised by the cruel feedback levelled at him on Sunday night. An indignant Bjorn, who was neglected by skipper Woosnam (pictured) for a wildcard spot on the European workforce in favour of Lee Westwood and Darren Clarke, branded Woosnam’s captaincy “pathetic” and stated that he had “totally lost any respect” for Woosnam after he completed above each Clarke and Westwood within the Official Golf World Rankings and the European Ryder Cup factors checklist. Bjorn has been closely fined by the European Tour for the outburst and has since apologised, however Woosnam appears keen to make use of the inflammatory remarks as motivation for his troops after they go into battle in opposition to the USA on the Ok Membership in two weeks time. “I think Thomas’ comments will make us stronger,” he predicted on Thursday.
“It will certainly make Lee and Darren more determined to do well and justify their selection. My team are all professionals and once we get to the Ryder Cup these things will be put to bed. It’s a pity Thomas said what he did but he’s apologised and the next thing we’ve got to do is go to Ireland and win. I don’t think I have to justify my position to anyone. I’m the captain and I have done my job.” The Welshman has additionally expressed his shock that Europe’s profitable captain from the 2004 Ryder Cup, Bernhard Langer, has admitted to giving US skipper Tom Lehman some recommendation forward of the match later this month. Lehman and Langer have been shut associates for a very long time, however Woosnam hinted that he was upset that Langer had provided the US workforce assist. “It seems strange to me that Tom Lehman has asked Bernhard Langer for advice and that he has complied,” he stated. “I’ve been a vice-captain and so I know how the thing works, but I’ve also asked two former captains for some input – not from the other side though.” Langer responded by expressing his shock that Woosnam himself had not requested him for any recommendation. He admitted that he had spoken to Lehman however “had held a little back”.