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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It means there is no place for Scotland’s world No20 Russell Knox, who finished 10th in qualifying, 0.04 points ahead of Pieters.
Former World Number Ones Kaymer and Westwood have 12 previous Ryder Cup appearances between them and will add a wealth of experience to the nine already-confirmed automatic qualifiers, while Pieters’ stunning recent form, which culminated in his impressive victory at last week’s Made in Denmark, is rewarded with a rookie appearance in Minnesota next month.
Westwood is set to take part in his 10 Ryder Cup, while Kaymer will be making his sixth appearance at Hazeltine.
When naming Pieters above him at Wentworth, Clarke revealed that he had asked Knox to play the Wyndham Championship two weeks ago, the last qualifying event in the European race to be held in America, but that he refused.
The 31-year-old was overlooked for a wild card by European skipper Clarke in favour of Belgian youngster Thomas Pieters as the Scot’s hopes of a debut in the transatlantic tussle at Hazeltine next month were dashed.
“Martin Kaymer is somewhat of a Ryder Cup stalwart and a man I have enormous trust in”.
“Having to phone Russell yesterday and give him the information was probably one of the toughest phone calls I’ve ever had to make”. He was joint runner-up at the Masters, and he’s played fairly well in 2016 on the European Tour.
Knox added: “Thomas has played some incredible stuff over the last three weeks. We’re only going to tell the player what he needs to know, so that way it’s easier for him to go out and play”.
“Well, general is above captain, so I’m not sure I feel like that”.
Dredge held a one-shot advantage at the end of his third round, but the Welshman paid the price for a double-bogey at the second and needed a long birdie putt at the last to take second place on his own.
According to Clarke, he is “massively proud” of his team and they are all “hungry for success”.
Westwood and Kaymer’s inclusions are not a surprise, but it was the selection of Pieters that seemed to cause Clarke the most problems. “He’s played unbelievably well during the qualification period. We can say, ‘Hey, we ran the numbers and dissected the course and together you guys are unbeatable.’ Knowing why you’re playing with a guy can do so much to boost confidence”.
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Pieters is a big-hitting Belgian who played college golf at IL and won the NCAA individual title in 2012 at Riviera. “I’m old. He’s gifted and amusing, and I’m delighted to have him part of team”. The US is going to be very strong but we are equally as strong – it’s a good mix of experience of youth.
