Darren Clarke finalized the European Ryder Cup team by naming veterans Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer to the biennial matches, as well as US first-timer Thomas Pieters.
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Last, but certainly not least, Lee Westwood, who is set to make his 10th Ryder Cup appearance moving just one behind Nick Faldo’s record of 11 European appearances, spoke via video too.
There was no joy for Ireland’s Graeme McDowell and Shane Lowry while England’s Luke Donald and Scotland’s Russell Knox were others under consideration.
“I have always been a huge Thomas Pieters fan”, Clarke said, “But the manner in which he has played, 4th at the Olympics, beaten by a birdie at the last at the Czech Open and birdying the last three to win last week, I found it impossible to leave him out of team”. Thomas Pieters impresses me in the same league as those guys.
Westwood, 43, has played in every Ryder Cup since 1997 and has won 23 points in the process.
“The talent that they all possess, I have no worries at all about the strength of that team”.
“Darren’s got some great vice captains that he can fall back on”. The US is going to be very strong but we are equally as strong – it’s a good mix of experience of youth. It’s a bold move and Clarke can expect severe criticism for going with experience ahead form if Europe lose. Kaymer became an obvious pick once the five rookies made the team because of his experience (he sank the winning putt in 2012 at Medinah).
The two-time major victor made his debut in the competition in 2010 and is already relishing another opportunity to lead Europe to glory. He’s played well this year, he was runner-up at Augusta and week in, week out he has been very solid. “I joined the European Tour and I was 100% committed to making the Ryder Cup team”. Had a celebrated amateur college career in America, where he overcame Major victor Jordan Spieth and former world amateur number one Patrick Cantlay to win the NCAA Division I Golf Championship in his sophomore year at the University of IL. I simply have not put up the numbers. It was a bit of a relief to get the phone call from Darren. “But I’ve done all I can now and I’m just really pleased with this win to be honest”. It’s nearly the end of the year but it’s a massive highlight. He got a lot of guys he wanted and has the luxury of picking players who are hot and veterans.
The other automatic selections, Rory McIlroy, Henrik Stenson, Sergio Garcia and Justin Rose, have all experienced the Ryder Cup before.
Masters champions Danny Willett, Chris Wood, Rafa Cabrera-Bello, Andy Sullivan and Matt Fitzpatrick also will sample golf’s biggest team event for the first time.
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Europe will be seeking a fourth consecutive Ryder Cup victory over the United States when the teams face off at Hazeltine in Minnesota from September 30 to October 2. He won the Northern Trust Open, but since the Players his average finish has been around 35th.
