Stacy Lewis backs calls for mixed-gender Ryder Cup
World number one Stacy Lewis thinks a mixed-gender Ryder Cup would be a ‘great thing’ – particularly for raising the profile of the women’s game.
The 29-year-old American, who won the Women’s British Open at St Andrews last year, admits she would loved to be paired with the likes of Rickie Fowler and Jordan Spieth in a Europe v USA contest.
“It would be a great thing,” Lewis told BBC Sport.
“Anything like that would help sell our sport. I’d be a huge fan. I’d be all over it and love to play.”
“If I was to pick someone to play with in the fourballs or foursomes it would be Rickie Fowler or Jordan Spieth. They are both good putters under pressure.”
It’s getting better. There are still forces which are a little bit more strict with women. However, Lewis believes finding a lost in the busy golfing calendar, with the Solheim Cup already taking place on alternate years, could be the biggest problem.
“The scheduling will be the hardest part and if anybody would get it started it’d be the PGA,
“We have a Women’s PGA championship (formerly the LPGA Championship) beginning next year, so we’re establishing a relationship with the men’s game – maybe that could lead to something.”
PGA chief Pete Bevacqua insists the idea of a mixed matchplay event is not yet “on the radar” but hasn’t ruled it out.
He said: “As the women’s game continues to develop and grow then maybe that is something that is down the road.
Lewis added how a mixed event could really boost the profile and participation rates for the women’s game especially after the positive vote for female members at St Andrews
She added: “The more we can do mixed events, the better it will be for the game. Anything we can do to make golf more attractive and compelling is something we should be looking at.
“It’s getting better. There are still forces which are a little bit more strict with women.
“But in general you look at that vote – it’s 85%. They seem to be over it. The times are changing so who knows what it leads to down the road.”
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