Michael Lorenzo-Vera does not expect a strong turnout for the Ryder Cup in September.GETTY IMAGES
French golfer Michael Lorenzo-Vera "delivered a withering attack on the sport in his country," saying that it is a game "only for rich people and spoiled kids," according to James Corrigan of the London TELEGRAPH. He declared that "nobody knows there will be a Ryder Cup here in September." Lorenzo-Vera is a "dark horse" for Thomas Bjørn’s Europe team, but claims he is "on the shortlist" and a victory at the France Open, which began on Wednesday, "would cast him into giddying contention." But the 33-year-old from Biarritz, who finished third in last year's France Open, is "plainly not prepared to read from the PR statements." He said, "People here don’t care about the Ryder Cup. Honestly, nobody knows there’s going to be a Ryder Cup in France. Only the golfers know. That’s it. There won’t be many French here … there will so many more from England." Up to 80,000 are expected each day and a "central part" of the French Federation’s bid "was to reach out to the masses." Lorenzo-Vera, however, "fears the mission will fall woefully short." He said, "Golf is not a good thing here. It’s for rich people and spoiled kids. Golf is a very private thing for people in France. Private courses for only rich families or rich people -- that's it" (TELEGRAPH, 6/27).
