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Woods and O'Meara (R)

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Live coverage Sep 19-21

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Mark O'Meara feels the absence of close friend Tiger Woods could end up helping America in their battle to reclaim the Ryder Cup.

Woods will sit out this year's contest between Europe and the United States at Valhalla due to injury.

The world number one is taking an extended break as he overcomes knee surgery and a double stress fracture in his left tibia.

Although Woods has been on the American sides that have lost in each of the last three matches against Europe, his loss has still been perceived as a major blow for US captain Paul Azinger and his team.

However, O'Meara, who featured in five Ryder Cup matches, believes it could end up working in America's favour by galvanising the other team members - especially the younger players.

The 51-year-old certainly hopes so, admitting Europe's recent domination has perhaps removed a little of the traditional rivalry.

"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 News. "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."