Tiger Woods' exit from the HSBC World Match Play Championship at Wentworth will have disappointed those who bought tickets for this weekend.

 

Losing golf's undisputed number-one talent on day one is not what the sponsors really wanted either, of course.

 

But it should have brought a big smile to the face of European Ryder Cup captain Ian Woosnam.

 

Even though it was another American, Shaun Micheel, who claimed the biggest scalp going yesterday, every member of Woosnam's side facing Woods in Dublin next week ought to feel more confident now.

 

Most firms now have Europe marginal favourites to secure the Ryder Cup at a shade under evens.