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Tommy Fleetwood believes the Ryder Cup should follow the lead of the Olympic Games and football’s European Championships, and postpone until 2021.

The Englishman told The Times that the decision should be taken in order to preserve the integrity of qualifying for the match.

At present, this year’s edition of the biennial clash between Europe and the USA is still scheduled to take place at Whistling Straits from September 25-28.

However, with several tournaments – including two major championships – having been postponed as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, Fleetwood believes that the right thing to do is to put the match off until next year.

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“It would be a shame and feel weird to have to wait for so long after the last Ryder Cup, but you just have to take whatever comes,” said Fleetwood. “And it would be fairer in qualification terms for it to be pushed back.”

The 29-year-old was one of the heroes of the 2018 match at Le Golf National, scoring four points from five on his debut as Europe regained the trophy.

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Graeme McDowell echoed Fleetwood’s call, saying that salvaging this year’s major championships should be the sport’s biggest concern.

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“If we could be back to playing golf around June time, you could argue that would give us four solid months for the qualifying process,” the former US Open champion told Sky Sports. “If you could pick two teams of 12 that could re-inject some adrenaline back into golf, then I’d be fully supportive of it.

“But, to me, the major championships take priority over the Ryder Cup. It’s only going to be a viable opportunity if we feel good about the qualifying process and we feel the teams are legitimate.”

Your thoughts? Should the Ryder Cup be postponed?

Do you think that this year’s Ryder Cup should be put off by a year because of the coronavirus pandemic? Or do you think it should go ahead as scheduled if that’s possible? Leave your thoughts in our Comments section below.


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Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor

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