LONDON: Europe captain Thomas Bjorn believes his frank manner of speaking will serve both him and the European team well for the 2018 Ryder Cup, he said Wednesday.
The 45-year-old Dane will endeavour to regain the biennial trophy in Paris after the United States inflicted Europe’s heaviest defeat since 1981, winning 17-11 at Hazeltine, Minnesota in September.
Bjorn infamously didn’t hold back when he failed to get the nod from Welshman Ian Woosnam in 2006 calling him “barmy” and “the most pathetic captain ever.”
“I think if you’re going to lead something you want the truth, you want people to be honest with you,” Bjorn told Britain’s Press Association Sport.
“I’ve never been one for liking having things around me where people are trying to just say yes to me. I want them to tell me the truth.
“I think if you’re going to be forthright yourself, then you want the same from everyone else.
“That’s the way I believe in things, and that’s what I expect for all the people I have around me.”
Bjorn, who played in three winning Ryder Cup teams (1997, 2002 and 2014), received the full backing of Woosnam when he was announced as Darren Clarke’s successor on Tuesday which he says is because sportsmen bury the hatchet easier.
“It’s fantastic to have his (Woosnam) support,” said Bjorn, who has won 15 times on the European Tour but never claimed a major.
“I’m grateful for all the past captains and the support I’ve had from them, and it’s nice for Ian to come out and be so supportive.
“But sportspeople have a way of probably putting things to bed a lot sooner than other people do.
“It’s a long time ago, so we go forward and we understand that this is about Europe, and the European team.
“So we go forward and we all get behind those 12 players that need to play, and that’s a good thing,” added Bjorn, twice a runner-up at The Open and once at the PGA Championship.
Bjorn banking on his frank manner of speaking as Ryder Cup captain
Bjorn banking on his frank manner of speaking as Ryder Cup captain
