Westwood and Kaymer, both former top-ranked players, were widely expected selections and provide experience to a European team that contained five Ryder Cup rookies among its automatic qualifiers.
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Westwood has not won a tournament since April 2015, but he came joint-second behind compatriot Danny Willett – one of Clarke’s automatic picks – at this year’s Masters.
Kaymer’s most recent win came when he claimed his second major title in the 2014 US Open, but six top-10s in his last 12 events – including sixth in the final event in Denmark – is coupled with experience of Europe’s last three Ryder Cup wins, including securing the point which retained the trophy at Medinah. His win at a WGC event in Shanghai a year ago didn’t count toward Ryder Cup qualification because he wasn’t a member of the European Tour at that stage.
“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 wonderful golf to win in Denmark”.
Knox said Clarke and Ian Poulter called and urged him to play the Wyndham Championship, his last chance to earn world points. He was duly impressed as the Belgian produced a super 62 in round one and went on to win the tournament.
“This is a team that I’m massively proud of”, Clarke said.
“This will be his 10th appearance. “(The American) team is shaping up very strongly, but my players are world class in their own right.
Luke Donald and Russell Knox were the other contenders to be given the nod alongside heavy favourites Westwood and Kaymer but Clarke instead opted for Pieters following his win over the weekend at the Made in Denmark.
“The last pick was very hard”.
“In Lee Westwood I have one of most experienced Ryder Cuppers of all time – it’s his 10th appearance”.
Emphasizing the importance of adding veteran experience to a team already packed with rookies, Clarke chose to pick Ryder Cup veterans and former world no.1’s Martin Kaymer and Lee Westwood to add a little bit of know-how to the roster. I had a few different people in my mind.
The choice comes as the expense of other worthy competitors, but none more notable than Russell Knox.
Clarke admitted that leaving Knox out of the three-day event starting on September 30 in Hazeltine “was probably one of the toughest calls” he had to make. “He’s played unbelievably well during the qualification period”.
The Inverness exile is now focussing his energies on an all out assault on the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup over the next three weeks. FILE – In this Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016 file photo, Thomas Pieters of Belgium hits the ball on the 16th green during the first round of the men’s golf event at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He becomes the second Belgian to play in The Ryder Cup after Nicolas Colsaerts in 2012.
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“It’s certainly motivated me for the next three weeks, that’s for sure”, said the 31-year-old, who added that he respects Clarke’s decision. The US side is going to be very strong, but I think we’re equally as strong.
