Former world No 1 Brooks Koepka says there is ‘no point’ in staging this year’s Ryder Cup behind closed doors due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The coronavirus has people biting their nails on whether fans will be permitted to attend Whistling Straits when the action gets under way in September.
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Speaking on Golf Central on Tuesday, Koepka said the presence of loud and hostile spectators are pretty much apart of the hype surrounding the Ryder Cup, adding the prestigious event will lose its trademark if it goes ahead with empty galleries.
‘I personally don’t want to play if there’s no fans. I don’t see a point in playing it,’ Koepka said.
‘I get representing your country is an honour and it’s something that’s so much fun, but at the same time, the fans make that event. That’s what we get nervous on the first tee. You hear the chants. You hear everything that’s going on – the U-S-A! [chant], all that stuff. That’s what makes it fun.’
Team Europe stars Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm even suggested that the event be postponed to next year in order to accommodate fans without the risk of further spreading of the coronavirus.
Their captain, Padraig Harrington, though, wants his players to compromise and approach the Ryder Cup as they normally would, even if it is staged behind closed doors.
Team USA will be bargaining on support from their home fans to win back the cup after an impressive victory by Thomas Bjorn’s men back in 2018.
