'It would be interesting to see what would happen if it actually took place'
Friday 28 September 2018 12:34, UK
With the Ryder Cup this week's hot topic, we asked Wayne Mardle and Rod Studd to pick their teams for a mythical Ryder Cup of Darts.
We've tweaked the format as the USA might struggle to field a competitive team this early but it's a sign of the strength in depth in the sport that a Great Britain & Ireland v Rest of the World would make for an attractive spectacle.
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With the World Cup spreading its wings all over the globe in 10 years time a similar conversation would include the Far East, Brazil - the list is endless.
As the Ryder Cup will reach its thrilling conclusion just moments before the World Grand Prix gets underway on Sunday, we decided to combine the sports for the opening edition of our new podcast.
We charged Mardle with picking a GB & I team and handed Rod the reins for the Rest of the World squad for a 10 v 10 contest that would include doubles and singles play.
It's all in the name of fun as we look ahead to both the Ryder Cup and the Grand Prix with the Sky Sports experts but with both teams looking strong, Wayne and Rod feel it underlines the growing talent in the game and would build on the growing success of the World Cup of Darts that has captured the imagination.
"Back in the day it was England and Scotland and only the occasional Dutchman representing Europe - but the darting landscape is very different today," Mardle said.
"Darts is in a really good place and this would actually be a really good competition - but my team would win easily!"
The team lists, and non-playing captains are below but to hear how the two guys came to their selections you'll have to download episode number one.
Seven days of coverage of the World Grand Prix from the Citywest Hotel gets underway on Sky Sports Arena from 7pm on Sunday.
Get the dedicated Sky Sports Golf channel to watch every minute of the Ryder Cup. Find out more.
