The thrilling 14-14 tie between Europe and the United States in the Solheim Cup at Finca Cortesin raised a simple question: should the contest be decided via a playoff if the teams can’t be separated at the end of the Sunday singles?
When Carlota Ciganda produced two incredible birdies on 16 and 17 to defeat Nelly Korda 2&1, it sparked wild scenes of celebration on the Costa del Sol for what was, essentially, a draw.
It was the first draw in Solheim Cup history and it led to claims from some players and pundits that the rule dictating the holders retain the Cup in the event of a tie had become outdated.
Naturally, the same question was posed to several players ahead of the Ryder Cup at Marco Simone. Specifically, a few members of Team Europe weighed into the debate on Wednesday morning with some contrasting opinions.
Tyrrell Hatton seemed a little caught off guard before conceding that a match-deciding playoff for the Ryder Cup would make for a “pretty epic atmosphere.”
“That’s some question for 8.25 in the morning,” Hatton said, grinning. “I would say tying is probably not ideal. I think it would be quite interesting if there was a way of putting in like a playoff, if that was to happen. I think it would be pretty exciting for fans, and it would certainly create a pretty epic atmosphere.
“Playing in front of home fans is always special, anyway, but yeah, I think that would add something to it. I think you probably have the time to do it because singles you start fairly late in the day compared to fourballs and foursomes, but yeah, maybe just having the tee times starting a bit earlier on Sunday would allow for, I don’t know, a nine-hole better-ball, two players best-ball sort of playoff format.
“I don’t know, I’m just like sort of thinking as I speak kind of thing.”
Rose: ‘History is history’
Hatton’s teammate and compatriot Justin Rose was next under the microscope, admitting the climax to the Solheim Cup had created an “interesting debate”.
Asked if he watched the drama unfold in Spain, he said: “Yeah, a little bit. I was sort of packing on Sunday and packing with the TV on and strung out the packing because the golf got exciting.
“It was awesome…
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