• Ryder Cup

Pavin won't fix Tiger-Rory showdown

ESPN staff
September 29, 2010
The Celtic Manor crowd would love to see a singles match between Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy © Getty Images
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Corey Pavin has said he has no intention of colluding with Colin Montgomerie to set up a singles clash between Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy on Sunday.

Woods singled out McIlroy on Tuesday following the rookie's comments that Woods had lost his aura, claiming any member of the European team "would fancy their chances against him".

But Pavin insists any match-up would have to come as a result of chance, saying he would not try to second guess Montgomerie's singles order to give the Celtic Manor crowd the showdown they craved.

"I don't think there's any possibility of that," he said of a potential fixing of opponents. "I don't think it's in the spirit of what the Ryder Cup's all about and the way the pairings are supposed to happen.

"If it happens, it happens, it would be by chance, or if either of us want to guess if that's what we want to try to accomplish then we can try to do that, but I think it's more important for me to send my guys off in a way that I think is best for my team to have the best chance to win.

"I don't think it's against the rules, I just think it's against what golf stands for, I just don't think it would be the right thing to do."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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