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
Real Madrid lose second straight and miss chance to close gap on Liga leader Barcelona
- Getafe held on to secure a historic win, its first at the Santiago Bernabeu since 2008, and a vital three points in its bid to stay in La Liga
MADRID: Real Madrid lost a second straight La Liga match when a stunning volley from Martín Satriano gave Getafe a shock 1-0 win at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on Monday.
The result prevented the capital club from cutting the four-point gap to leader Barcelona.
Getafe had lost all eight of its previous league encounters with Real Madrid and early saves from goalkeeper David Soria kept it from falling behind.
Soria turned over a shot from Arda Güler midway through the first half, not long after frustrating Vinicius Junior when he was through on goal.
Madrid had more of the ball but lacked punch up front and it paid a price for its profligacy six minutes before halftime when Getafe took the lead.
A hopeful cross from the right was headed clear but it fell to the feet of Satriano, who volleyed into the roof of the net from 20 meters out.
It was the second goal in three games for the Uruguayan, who joined on loan from Lyon during the last transfer window.
Madrid continued to dominate possession in the second half and Antonio Rüdiger and substitute Rodrygo were among those who came close to grabbing an equalizer.
But it could not find a way past Getafe’s stuffy rearguard and an in-form Soria.
Madrid’s task became even harder when Franco Mastantuono was sent off for dissent in stoppage time and although the numbers were evened up in the last minute when Getafe’s Adrian Liso was also shown a red card it came too late to make any impact.
Getafe held on to secure a historic win, its first at the Santiago Bernabeu since 2008, and a vital three points in its bid to stay in La Liga.
“Coming here is always very difficult,” Getafe defender Kiko Femenía told broadcaster DAZN. “We have to congratulate the team, we did a superb job at the back and we scored when had the chance. We might even have scored more on the counterattack.”
They jumped three league places into 11th and were eight points above the relegation zone.
