BABY STEPS WILL ALL ADD UP

BY CRAIG SWAN their Rome thumping two years ago proved a huge error.

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The Open and US PGA champion said: “When I look at my experience for the last few team events, it's weird to have such a long break after the season ends to one of our biggest events being either the Presidents Cup or Ryder Cup.

“Those are huge for us as Americans and something that we take a lot of pride in, so staying sharp is always important to me.

“It was something we had discussed. We had floated the idea of doing a scouting trip to Bethpage or coming here and playing this event.

felt it would be more valuable to get all the guys together and play tournament golf.

“There's just a difference between practising and getting under the gun in a tournament, especially going into a team event where you play formats youre not totally used to.