Video: Ryder Cup Captain Paul McGinley Visits Gleneagles

New European Ryder Cup Captain Paul McGinley has insisted there has never been a better venue for the Ryder Cup than Gleneagles.

The Irishman will lead his team against the US at the Scottish venue in September 2014 and he claims being involved in a Ryder Cup in the Home of Golf will make it all the more special thanks to the great history of golf in Scotland.

McGinley said: “It’s a big deal to be honest to be Ryder Cup captain no matter where it is but particularly in the Scotland, the Home of Golf, and it doesn’t get much better than that. I’m obviously thrilled.

“Being in Scotland will bring a high level of interest from around the world, there’s no doubt about that but I think also having Tom Watson, who has a real synergy with the Scottish people, that’s going to be important as well.

“The venue, you look at the hotel here and it’s just wow, it’s amazing. I’ve been involved in a lot of Ryder Cups and there’s no setting like this one. This is really, really special. The history of it and the history of the hotel, it’s going to be great.”

McGinley insists that having such a knowledgeable golf crowd will help set the 2014 event apart from the rest, while he also expects a strong Irish contingent to make the journey to support him and his team.

He added: “There’s a feel when you come to Scotland. It’s part of your DNA as a Scots person. You are born with an understanding and a feel for the game of golf and that’s what makes it so special up here.

“They understand the game. You hit a wedge shot to 30ft and they give you a very small spattering of applause but if in a strong wind and you hit the same shot to the same distance you get big applause because they understand it is a difficult shot in difficult conditions so they understand the game and that’s very important.

“No doubt I’d like to see a very noisy atmosphere here. Once we don’t cross the line, which I’m sure nobody will, it’s going to be a very exciting Ryder Cup. That first tee, I want to make that as noisy and as loud as possible.

“And absolutely, there will be a very strong Irish contingent no doubt. It’s not that far by boat and by plane, but particularly by boat and a lot of people will be driving over and driving up from Stranraer. I think we are in for a great Ryder Cup.”

The Irishman, who played in his home country in the 2006 Ryder Cup, laid down a challenge to Scottish players to play their way into his team for 2014 while also insisting he will keep his promise of a Scottish and a Seve theme during the week of the event.

He said: “The more Scottish players the better, the more home advantage the better. I’ve been very fortunate to play a Ryder Cup in my home country and it should be a great goal for all the Scottish players and I’d love to see as many of them on the team as possible.

“There will be a Scottish element of course and there will be a Seve element too, something during the week.  I don’t want to give too many secrets away but I’ll hold my word on that.”

For more information on golf in Scotland visit www.visitscotland.com/golf