The fourth pick will be made at the conclusion of the Tour Championship on September 25, 2016.
Advertisement
(AP Photo/Chris Carlson, File).
Thomas Pieters is more than just a bomber off the tee.
Martin holed the winning putt in Medinah four years ago, is the epitome of cool, calm and collected and is in excellent form.
Pieters is one of six rookies and no previous European team has won in the United States with such a callow line-up.
Clarke intentionally was paired with Pieters at last week’s Made in Denmark event, and in the opening round, the big-hitting, 24-year-old Belgian fired a 62 alongside his future captain.
“He brings a bit more of the X-factor”.
Clarke has great confidence in his group and by all means seems ready for battle with whoever the final additions to the U.S. team happen to be. “He will be a star”.
He had sleepless nights over his final selection.
Should Donald be selected ahead of Russell Knox and Pieters, it will be deemed a bold and controversial call by Clarke.
“He then went through a bit of a lull, but made his case that he could get in this team, and then made that late run, finishing fourth at the Olympics, finishing second in the Czech Republic and then absolutely played unbelievable golf to win in Denmark”.
“To get it down to those three has certainly been very hard”, said Clarke.
Spain’s Sergio Garcia adds yet more experience while rookies Rafa Cabrera Bello, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Andy Sullivan and Chris Wood also qualified.
The decision to take Ryder Cup veteran Lee Westwood and two-time Major champion Martin Kaymer was no surprise, given the requirement for experience on a team which already had five rookies. They will offer experienced voices in the team room.
Yet, there was evidence too that Clarke had been swayed by those who support the PGA European Tour.
Knox was hard-pressed to think of another European Ryder Cup player whose golfing roots are in America.
Despite his disappointment at missing out on selection for the biennial clash at Hazeltine, Minnesota, starting on 30 September, Knox was magnanimous in hailing Pieters as a future “superstar” of the game. With two victories and two runner up finishes on the PGA Tour this season, Knox seemed to be a great fit for the team.
“I’ve been on tour for a long time and I’ve seen massive talent come along”, Clarke said after finally revealing his hand. “I feel like I deserve to be on the team, but it wasn’t my call, obviously”.
“We’ve watched more golf and more stats, and how all the possible contenders were playing, and to see those first nine up there on the board makes me pleased and proud”.
But Clarke’s 12 players are now set barring an injury. “I spoke to him the day after he won the Travelers Championship and suggested to him that he might want to go and play”. However, it appears the success of Pieters at the Made in Denmark event on Sunday could sway Clarke’s thinking.
“It’s been a little bit insane”, Pieters said.
“And yeah, I know Jordan, I’ve played against him”.
Advertisement
“I hope the decision not to play Wyndham ultimately had nothing to do with it, maybe it did, but I’m sure no one will ever talk about that”, Knox added.
