Paul McGinley ‘very disappointed’ at Casey’s Ryder Cup snub

• Paul McGinley says Paul Casey will ‘regret’ Ryder Cup snub
• Casey opted not to take up European Tour membership
• “I’m very disappointed,” McGinley told bunkered.co.uk

Paul McGinley said he was ‘very disappointed’ to hear about Paul Casey’s decision to make himself ineligible for the 2016 Ryder Cup and believes the Englishman will live to regret his choice.

Casey, 38, turned down the opportunity to regain membership of the European Tour for 2016 following an excellent PGA Tour season which saw him rise from No.75 to No.22 in the world – the seventh highest-ranked European.

And McGinley, who played alongside Casey in the Ryder Cup wins of 2004 and 2006, is fully aware of the Englishman’s quality which why he was less than impressed when he heard the news.

“I think, one day, Paul will regret it” – Paul McGinley

“I’m very disappointed to see it,” Paul McGinley told bunkered.co.uk. “I think it’s a real shame and I think, one day, Paul will regret it as it’s a chance to play in one of the biggest events in the world.

“Paul has been a very valued member of the European Tour in the past and played a big part in Ryder Cups. I’ve played alongside him and in the Seve Trophy team that I captained, he played a huge role so ultimately he was a big voice in terms of me being a Ryder Cup captain.

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“As a result, I feel a huge sense of loyalty towards him and also regret that he’s not going to be a part of this team because I’ve seen what he does – his record in matchplay and team events is phenomenal. It’s a big disappointment for the European Tour but we must move on and we’re still going to have 12 very strong players. However, I hope that in the future, Paul reconsiders and becomes part of the European Tour and is available for Ryder Cup selection again.”

McGinley, who was in Glasgow on his 49th birthday as guest speaker at the Scottish PGA lunch, also had his say on the 2022 Ryder Cup, which was awarded to Marco Simone Country Club just outside Rome.

“It came as a surprise,” he said. “A lot of people were predicting that it’d be in either Germany or Spain but obviously Italy put together a very strong bid and I think Rome, as one of the most beautiful cities in the world, will represent the Ryder Cup very well.

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“In 2026, I’d expect it to come back to Great Britain and Ireland and who knows after that, it may rotate from Continental Europe then back to Britain and Ireland. Although Dubai is a big part of the European Tour now, if the Ryder Cup was to go there I think it would be a step too far – certainly at this moment in time – so I’d be in support of the Ryder Cup staying within the borders of Europe.

“However, things evolve over time and who know how people’s views may change down the road. But, for the next decade or two, I’d be very surprised if it moved outwith Europe.”

Paul McGinley :: Disappointed at Casey snub

Do you agree with Paul McGinley’s comments about Paul Casey turning his back on the 2016 Ryder Cup and his will for the match to stay within Europe? Leave your thoughts in the ‘Comments’ section below.