Ballesteros wants Ryder changes

by Michelle Fortune , 09 February 2011

Seve Ballesteros wants to see a change to the Ryder Cup format, including extending the event from three to four days.


Normally the biennial competition starts on Friday with fourball and foursomes taking place on the first two days before all players take to the course for Sunday's singles.

However, weather conditions at Celtic Manor resulted in a number of changes to the 2010 Ryder Cup with the event going into the Monday.

Indeed, the changes meant that all 24 players were in action on the Saturday, a situation that pleased both spectator and competitor alike.

Ballesteros, a veteran of eight Ryder Cups, believes change can be a good thing and he has called for the event to be altered to allow every team member to play on the opening day of the competition.

"Everything in life can improve and sometimes changes can be beneficial," Ballesteros told Reuters.

"The event could go to four competition days. I think this would be good for everyone.

"From the players' point of view because being at a venue from the Monday and waiting four days to play (on the Friday) it is sometimes very long in my opinion. You really want to play and start the competition.

"For the audience it is also very good because they see more golf, and also for the sponsors and television. I think that would be a positive change."

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