Mark O'Meara believes the absence of his close friend Tiger Woods at this year's Ryder Cup could well inspire America to victory.Woods has been part of the US team that has been defeated by Europe in each of the last three events, but his absence is still seen as a major blow for skipper Paul Azinger.
However, O'Meara, who played in five Ryder Cups, says that may not be the case at all and it could be a scenario that works in the USA's favour by galvanising the other members into a team - something they are widely thought to have lacked in recent previous meetings.
"I hope the US team can foster a win this year just to bring back that rivalry as opposed to one team dominating," O'Meara told Sky Sports. "It was America for many, many years, now it's Europe dominating.
"Tiger not being there I know he's going to miss it, but in a roundabout way I think it's going to maybe help Paul Azinger as US captain.
"He gets four picks and I think it's going to tell Anthony Kim and some of the other young guys to step up and really play well."
