Ryder Cup veterans debate over scoring system in Rome

Three of Team Europe's veterans have had their say over the much-debated scoring system ahead of 44th Ryder Cup held at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club.

Much of the discussion on Wednesday morning was surrounding ties in team events after Team Europe retained the Solheim Cup last week following a 14 - 14 draw against the U.S. Team in Malaga.

The U.S. Ryder Cup Team have not won on foreign soil since 1993, but a tie would be enough for them to hold on to the trophy after the record-breaking 19 - 9 victory at Whistling Straits two years ago.

Crucially, the European Ryder Cup Team, captained by Luke Donald, will need 14½ points to extend their unbeaten home run and make it eight victories in the 11 editions since the turn of the century.

Justin Rose said: "History is history. History is so important, I think. It's quite nice to wrestle it back fair and square. You have to win it to get the Cup back.

"I think the Ashes in cricket, retaining the Ashes is a big thing. In cricket, you can have rain that can interrupt and cause draws and things.

"But retaining it, not letting the other team have the trophy I think can be a win, so therefore, sometimes the tie is still relevant in my mind. I guess basically I'm saying, I just keep loyal to the history of it."

World Number Two Rory McIlroy, who will make his seventh appearance at the Ryder Cup, is keen to keep some of the tradition surrounding the biennial event.

McIlroy said: "I love them whenever we won the last one! I think it's part of history and tradition. You know, I was watching the Solheim Cup last week, and obviously there was huge celebrations when Europe got to 14 and retained the Cup.

"I think retaining it means something, and there's certainly a historical and traditional element to it. I don't know. I do like traditions of the game, and this competition has been around since 1927, and that's the way they have always done it.

"Does that mean that's the way they always have to do it? Probably not. But it's nice to keep some of the tradition around the event."

Tyrrell Hatton, on the other hand, made some suggestions on how to eradicate ties in a way which would still be entertaining for the fans.

"I would say tying is probably not ideal. I think it would be quite interesting if there was a way of putting in like a play-off, if that was to happen," Hatton said.

"I think it would be pretty exciting for fans, and it would certainly create a pretty epic atmosphere. Playing in front of home fans is always special, anyway, but yeah, I think that would add something to it.

"I don't know, a nine-hole better-ball, two players best-ball sort of play-off format?"