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Woosnam nearly quit Ryder Cup

20/12/2006

Ian Woosnam, the 2006 Ryder Cup captain, has revealed he nearly quit his role in the weeks leading up to the tournament following Thomas Bjorn's criticism of him after the Dane was left out of the playing squad.

Woosnam says that their once-strong relationship has not fully recovered and that he even considered legal action but felt it best to concentrate on the competition rather than get involved with any controversy.

He said: "When people ask me if I'm OK with him now, I always refer to something he said in his rant against me, 'Things will never be the same between us again'. He's right. They won't be."

"I was prepared to resign. All it would have needed was for my players to show the slightest reservation about my captaincy and I would have walked. That's why I got them around a table and asked them."

The Welshman's concerns were allayed in that meeting and he went on to lead them to a resounding 18½ - 9½ victory which he described as the proudest triumph of his career.

Looking back, Woosnam said: "It was nice to prove that I was a decent captain. We had just had such a marvellous and emotional three days that it was the time to act like a man and keep my dignity."

Bjorn's comments came after Woosnam picked Darren Clarke and Lee Westwood as his two wildcard entrants rather than choosing the Dane, a decision which left Bjorn fuming.

He also claimed Woosnam had not contacted him in six months.

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