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Ryder Cup boss claims Woods' antics are good for golf

Tiger Woods 'has got more publicity than ever before' © Getty Images

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Tiger Woods' affairs away from the golf course have done wonders for the sport according to the 2010 Ryder Cup boss, Sir Terry Matthews, who is adamant the world No. 1 will play in the October showpiece.

Matthews is the owner of Celtic Manor, which plays host to this year's Ryder Cup, and he is willing to argue with anybody who believes Woods' personal indiscretions have harmed the game of golf.

Augusta National chairman, Billy Payne, recently stated that Woods had 'forgotten that with fame and fortune comes responsibility', insisting 'he disappointed all of us, and more importantly our kids and grandkids'. Matthews only speaks positively of the situation though, claiming Woods has won golf a new army of fans.

"It will be great for the Ryder Cup," Matthews told the Daily Mirror. "He has got more publicity now than he has ever had. He is worth more now than he was before. He has been on the front page more than ever before.

"Sometimes coverage and publicity can be for very bad people but it makes them world famous. Those people who didn't know about him before, know about him now. And more people will want to see him play golf. It is better to have coverage, whatever it is for, than no coverage.

"Look at Bill Clinton. Waving his finger and saying: 'I did not have sex with that young girl'. It was covered all around the world. He was lying through his teeth. And guess what? His ratings went to 75 per cent. People said he was lying but he was in the newspapers and on TV."

And Matthews confirms there is no doubt that Woods will compete when the Ryder Cup comes along in October.

"The US wants to win the Ryder Cup - of course he will be here," he said. "I don't think there is any doubt about that at all. Even if he didn't play enough to qualify, would they leave him out? The objective is to win. The US likes to win - whatever it takes."

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