Thomas Bjørn during the BMW Winter Golf Cup 2018 - Photo: © Nathalie Vion

Before the Ryder Cup in France, from September 28 to 30 at the Golf National, Thomas Bjørn has made many trips on French soil. For official appearances, for his work of locating places, but also to soak up the culture and atmosphere of France. This in order to refine the preparation of his role as Captain of the European team. At the end of March in Val d'Isère, invited to take part in the BMW Winter Golf Cup, a golf tournament on… snow, the Dane with 15 victories on the European Tour had been able to wave the Ryder Cup trophy at the top of the Olympic track in Bellevarde! Before hitting an unprecedented drive down the legendary slope, alongside Pascal Grizot, the President of the Ryder Cup France Committee. On this occasion, between two ski runs, he spoke of his mission as Captain, as well as his vision of the Ryder Cup and of world golf in general. Interview…

Thomas Bjørn, for a year, you have been multiplying new experiences on French soil. After the drive from the Eiffel Tower with the American Captain Jim Furyk, in October 2017 during the “One Year To Go”, we saw you type a drive from the Olympic descent Face de Bellevarde in Val d'Isère. Astonishing for you?

Ah yes, it is completely extraordinary. I don't have the words to describe these two experiences that I owe to my status as Captain of a Ryder Cup team. It is a gift to experience all of this. The Eiffel Tower has already been a special moment, so special. This drive with Jim Furyk will be remembered forever. Same thing for Val d'Isère at the end of March, when I hit this drive from these snowy slopes where, until then, I used to come to ski! During this week of the BMW Winter Golf Cup in Val d'Isère, I practiced golf on snow for the first time in my life (I think I will stay on the grass, the snow is too different !). And then I was also able to enjoy the slopes and ski several times in dream conditions. All of this is truly unique. When you experience this, you tell yourself that it is really worth it.

Now that you know our country better and better, what do you think the Ryder Cup will bring to France?

What will happen in Paris will be extremely special. The Ryder Cup is the best possible vehicle for getting the word out about the game of golf around the world. We bring golf even to non-golfers. It is an event that you can follow even without being in the know. It takes you whether you are a golf player or not. It's high-level sport, it's passion. And on a site like that of the Golf National, with Paris in the background of the sports festival, it will really be something. The French can be very proud to receive this Ryder Cup in Paris.

Do you see any specificity in this 2018 Ryder Cup in France?

Yes. France is a country that has never received the Ryder Cup on its soil. This is an element that I must take into account. So I listen, I think, and I learn a lot from the conversations I have here and there. At Valderrama in 1997, it was the first time the Ryder took place in Continental Europe. Something rare for the Spaniards. And I remember people were very happy. For France, I can tell you that it is the players who are incredibly excited to go and play in Paris. I think they will have a lot of support from the spectators. Because France, beyond being a proud nation, and proud of its sport, has long taken the party to organize very large sporting events. You had the final of the Football World Cup in 1998… You have the Tour de France… You will host the Summer Olympics in 2014. This is very important. Because I believe that when we are used to receiving these great sporting moments, a whole country ends up being behind the event.

Thomas Bjørn during the BMW Winter Golf Cup 2018 - Photo: © Nathalie Vion

How would you define what is going on in these famous USA / Europe matches?

I've been able to follow some really big sporting events all over the world but the Ryder Cup is like nothing else. This is the only opportunity on the planet where an entire continent, Europe, will form a unit, beyond countries and borders, to face the United States, a very great country which is at the same time our great rival and our great friend. What there is as meaning often goes beyond what happens on the sports field of matches. The Ryder Cup is something bigger than yourself and bigger than your own country.

How do you see your role as Captain with European players during this summer of 2018, in a phase that involves both preparation and qualification?

I have to do them what they feel is good for themselves. I watch what they like, what they choose, but I have to let them build their own program. You know, the Ryder Cup is a "massive" thing. That is to say that at one point, what happens in your head as a player will be decisive. Selection to the Ryder Cup squad shouldn't be your goal this summer. And even less an individual goal. The Ryder Cup will simply be the result of the success you achieve for yourself.

What are the primary qualities of a Ryder Captain?

Comprehension ! You have to understand what the Ryder Cup is. You have to understand how Ryder Week unfolds. Finally, you have to understand your players. Besides that, you have to know how to explain yourself ... But not too much!

Has winning the Ryder Cup three times as a player made you a confident Captain?
If you've won the Ryder in the past, that doesn't help you get stronger. What can make a Captain strong is being able to count on players coming from a great season. But without being that they either arrive on the kneecaps. Because the Ryder Cup is a very hard and demanding experience for a player. This year, what I see is that the schedule between the British Open (The Open, July 19-22 in Carnoustie) and the Ryder Cup (September 28-30 in Paris is very busy. This will be an important point. to manage.

Between the Ryder Cups that you have contested as a player and that of Paris that you will live as Captain, what evolution?

Already, it is no longer around me that this is happening. I'm 47 and while I continue to love to travel and lead a life of a pro golfer, I have had my own time. There, it will be "their" moment! What I see, compared to the year 1997 when I played my first "Ryder" in Valderrama, is that we have moved to a much more modern era. Before, it was twelve players and a Captain, hardly more people. Now, with these modern players, we will find modern structures. There is the fitness coach, the swing coach, the putting coach, the nutrition coach… A Captain must understand this, take it into account. He must also know his players well. All have their own personality. They are all different.

What do you think of the performance of French players? Their chances of being part of the team at the end of September at the Golf National?

I understand that France would like there to be at least one French golfer in the European team. I myself wish there was one. But tell yourself that the Danes would like to have one too. The whole of Europe hopes to have one or more players selected for this Ryder Cup 2018! For me, nationality should not count. This will not be taken into account. Ditto for the four wild cards. Of course my choices will depend on several factors, the balance of the team, for example between young and old. But in the end, I will remember the twelve strongest players. Those who have a chance to win their matches.

What type of challenge does the Golf National de Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines represent for world-class players, whether European or American?

It is very, very hard. The course of the Albatross is a very demanding course. I had to play the French Open at the National at least ten times. What I do know is that you can quickly be on the ground. And that the weather is going to be a very important factor as well, at the end of September… What I'm sure is that playing the Albatross in match play is going to be extremely exciting!

Unlike Jim Furyk, the American Captain, you decided from the start to take your time to name your vice-captains… Why this choice to name only one very quickly, the Swede Robert Karlsson, then to wait? for the others ?

The Vice-Captains are very important, for the players and for me. There are a lot of factors that come into play. So yes, I had decided that I would name them only when the time was right. Not until I'm ready.

Already called up as vice-captain of the American team, Tiger Woods, whether he plays or not (depending on the evolution of his results this summer), is certain to be present in Paris to assist Jim Furyk. Great news for golf and the Ryder Cup in France?

Of course ! Tiger Woods is our golf superstar! He is by far the biggest star that this discipline has known. What it conveys is very important. All golfers, pros and amateurs alike, owe him so much… His presence at Golf National in September will create a magnificent focus on the competition and on golf as a whole. Tiger always brings interest to an event. When he's there, it's a bit bigger!

Tiger Woods, not only vice-captain, but also selected among the twelve players of Jim Furyk's team, does that seem possible to you given his start to the 2018 season?

What I can say is that his return had something very emotional for me. I like to see him happy. He deserves it. It was fantastic, great to see that after the hardships he went through. Few athletes could have made such a comeback. From having shared a lot of games with him, in tournaments or in training, I know he can still achieve incredible things. We will see what he will do in the summer tournaments. But if he managed to qualify among the twelve players of the US team, it would be a massive bonus for France!