Brexit – Does it have an impact on the Ryder Cup ?

There shall not be any adverse impact of the Brexit vote on the Ryder Cup

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Europe's Ryder Cup team will face America at Hazeltine in September with the EU flag emblazoned on their kit. That means British players such as Danny Willett, Justin Rose and Chris Wood, if they are confirmed as members, will appear to be associated with the European Union, as will captain Darren Clarke and vice captains Ian Poulter and Paul Lawrie. EDITOR'S PICKS British sports stars react to Brexit British sports stars past and present including Rory McIlroy, Gary Lineker and Maro Itoje have their say on social media after Britain votes to leave the European Union. Brexit and F1 Kate Walker explores the impact Thursday's referendum result could have on Formula One -- a sport that is largely based in the UK, but one with strong connections to the rest of Europe. Others players in contention for the team, such as Lee Westwood and Andy Sullivan, are also from the UK. The European Tour has been unmoved by the referendum vote in favour of Britain exiting the European Union and the team's branding and identity will remain unchanged. A Tour spokesman said: "In terms of the flag flown to represent the European Ryder Cup team, we consider that the blue and gold flag of Europe represents the continent of Europe and, as a broad symbol of Europe as a whole, we therefore plan to continue to use it." The Tour has confirmed that it plans to have the EU's ring of stars on a blue background as a key part of the badge on team kit as it has before. With the details of how Brexit will work still to become clear, the Tour doesn't see the need for any other immediate changes. Northern Irishman Darren Clarke will fly the EU flag for Europe's Ryder Cup team this year as captain. Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images However, its days being based at Wentworth in Surrey may be numbered. "Like all global companies whose main headquarters are in the UK, we are now in the process of assessing the implications for our business following the result of the referendum vote on June 23," the spokesman said. "In terms of tournaments appearing on the European Tour international schedule, including those in the UK, we do not believe that the result will have any impact. "The UK remains a geographical part of Europe, even though it will no longer be part of the political or economic structure of the European Union. "The criteria for being European in Ryder Cup terms is a geographical one -- from countries who make up the continent of Europe -- not a political or economic one (countries who make up the EU). Therefore the result of the UK referendum has no bearing in Ryder Cup qualification terms."

Anand Datla

June 26, 2016: In an era of globalisation one sneeze somewhere around the world is enough to induce cold and fever to the rest of the world. The Brexit referendum in the United Kingdom where people elected to leave the European Union has sent ripples of discomforting cold across the oceans. In a Ryder Cup season, the question on golfing minds is whether the move can impact the team from Europe.

First up, the Ryder Cup came into being in 1927, long before the germination of the European Union idea, which came about only midway through the last century. The European Tour has already confirmed that the team in Hazeltine will play with the EU flag emblazoned on their kit.

The Europe team has several British stars including its captain Darren Clarke and vice captains Ian Poulter and Paul Lawrie. Rory McIlroy, Danny Willett, Chris Wood and Justin Rose are also from the UK.

The UK has always had a strong presence on the European team for the Ryder Cup. Historically too, the evolution of the Ryder Cup started as a competition between USA and UK before it expanded to the larger continent later on.

“In terms of the flag flown to represent the European Ryder Cup team, we consider that the blue and gold flag of Europe represents the continent of Europe and, as a broad symbol of Europe as a whole, we therefore plan to continue to use it,” read a statement issued by the European Tour.

The one thing that could change though is the location of the European Tour’s headquarters in Wentworth. “Like all global companies whose main headquarters are in the UK, we are now in the process of assessing the implications for our business following the result of the referendum vote on June 23,” said the Tour about their Surrey offices.

“In terms of tournaments appearing on the European Tour international schedule, including those in the UK, we do not believe that the result will have any impact. The UK remains a geographical part of Europe, even though it will no longer be part of the political or economic structure of the European Union.”

“The criteria for being European in Ryder Cup terms is a geographical one, from countries who make up the continent of Europe, not a political or economic one (countries who make up the EU). Therefore the result of the UK referendum has no bearing in Ryder Cup qualification terms.”

But Team Europe can expect some needling from USA when they reach Hazeltine in September. Golfers are known for their dry wit and there will more than a fair share of ribbing that will happen around the course with the Americans trying to drive a wedge into their European opponents.

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