Darren Clarke - Definately a captains pick?

[medwayjon]

After winning the KLM open, what do we reckon?

For me it is an emphatic YES!

2 tour wins this year show that he still has the game, no doubt about it and I really do think that he would be an absolute asset to the european ryder cup team next month.

Hopefully he will continue his strong partnership with Westwood.

I for one was delighted to see him claim victory yesterday, a great guy who deserves every bit of success he gets.

 

[madandra]

I remember when Westwood was struggling with his game and he partnered Sergio and El nino really lifted his confidence. I can see Westwood doing the same with Clarke. I just can't seem to like Clarke at the moment. He hasn't got any hunger in him.

 

[theeaglehunter]

I agree Clarke is definitely worth a pick, and I feel if Faldo did show that confidence in him it will only improve his form and take him into the Ryder Cup on a mental high ensuring that he will be playing some of his best golf. At the moment my other pick would be Paul Casey, he has shown a little bit of form in the states and I believe his attitude and mentality are just what you want from a player competing in the Ryder cup.

 

[John_Findlay]

I wasn't convinced until this weekend but probably am now. By all accounts Valhalla is a monster and you're gonna need to drive the ball long. That's Darren's strength and he would certainly be an asset to any foursome team.

 

[andiritchie]

nick is going to have a tough decision with his 2 picks we going to have maybe one of our strongest on form teams ever,

how about el nino being top of the putting stats in last weeks barclays thats unheard of

 

[Junior]

I think the picks are easy now, it has to be Casey ( T4 at the Barclays) and Clarke, both in-form and experienced. Sorry Monty, you may get a call to be a vice captain.

 

[andiritchie]

yeah casey and clarke are both on form i would liked to have seen poulter on the team think he has more passion than the likes of rose

 

[StuartD]

It has to be between Clarke Casey and Poulter. very tough to choose at the moment

Can't help thinking that Faldo will pick his golden boy Dougherty though

 

[medwayjon]

As for the other spot, Poulter for me.

Dougherty's form this season doesnt warrant a place although as you say, he is faldo's pet so that may come into it.

Casey has shown some glimpses of form and his performance this weekend was splendid. However I think poulter is the better player at the moment, he has shown good form this season and he is an excellent match-play golfer.

The stats dont lie, based on stats alone poulter deserves the place. On the european points list it is poulter 8th, casey 16th. On the world list, Poulter 11th, Casey 16th.

 

[RGuk]

It's a toughie.....

Most am' players/fans like Darren a great deal....including me.

He and Lee always had a magic, but I wouldn't place a bet on it returning. Both are very up and down (it seems to me) and unless Faldo is 100% sure, the safer bet could be to go with ranking places.

As much as it pains me, Poulter and Casey should be ideal Matchplay choices......the odd duff hole (or shank...Ian, or hook...Paul) is not going to penalise in the same way as 72 hole Medal. ????

Dougherty is NOT in a good place with his game a.t.m. I can't see NF choosing him

 

[Junior]

One name that hasn't been mentioned yet is Paul McGinlay, he's leading the European tour in stroke avg at the min and is up there in the rankings. If he gets a win at Gleneagles it could give Faldo a bit of a headache!

 

[Cernunnos]

Ithink Darren Clarke is now a safe bet as a pick for Nick Faldo And really the main two choices for the second pick will be McGinley or Poulter. Though I wouldn't discount a place for the young German Martin Kaymer yet. Though there is already a lot of new blood in the team & Nick Faldo may well want some Ryder Cup experienced players. I really don't think Monty Stands a chance of getting in unless he can win at Gleneagles next weekend. Same goes for Casey, who really isn't yet back to full form, though If he can finish ahead of McGinley then Casey may get in. Assuming he's playing at Gleneagles.

I believe Poulter is playing in America & if he gets a good finish over there then a team place maybe his.

Darren really should be an abvious & automatic pick as he's been playing very well this year, though he's generally been a bit unlucky as he's been trying too hard. Its interesting to note that Darren playes at his best when he's relaxed & why he's now won twice this year & two wins in a season of a Ryder cup year deserves an automatic pick.

 

[vig]

i think a lot depends on who finishes in the automatics. If the last places go to newbies I can see him going for experience.
I think Kaymer has the game for maatch play. I also like the look of Ross Fisher for this format.

Clarke will be a pick if the automatic places are as they stand now.
I think it would be suicide to pick Monty (even though he has excelled in RC's).
I don't think Doughety or Casey will be his pick.

 

[rgs]

After this weekend Clarke has to be a pick provided he plays solidly next week. Problem for Clarke for years is that if he has no chance of winning the tournament on Sunday he plays like its a knockabout on the local muni. So i think he needs to play well for all four rounds.

The other pick is between Casey and Poulter-Interestingly Faldo names his picks on Sunday after Gleneagles while the Fed Ex event in Boston does not finish until Monday.

 

[thecraw]

Think Clarke has played his way onto a flight to Uncle Sam. Also believe that Faldo will be thinking along the lines of another hopefully successful Westwood/Clarke partnership, one that will scare the Yanks given their close friendship and decent record together.

Faldo almost said Casey was in during last nights coverage in the states and had to hold back a yelp of joy when he holed the putt on the last.

I would rather Casey played his way in and omitted Wilson or Hanson which is harsh on these lads but the Ryder Cup is a be all and end all for me. Even the wife knows not to disturb me for that whole weekend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[viscount17]

I think we shall be seeing a change of the guard - the 'old boys' will go out and the new(er) come in.
Fisher, I think needs one more decent finish
Poulter just needs to maintain some level of consistency
Casey has some work to do
Kaymer should make it unless something disasterous happens
Rose I would drop (I would like to think with his current form that he would 'opt out' but ego (and sponsors) wouldn't let him)

 

[USER1999]

I don't think you can drop anyone, so Rose is in. Kaymer has dropped out of contention, and I don't think Faldo wil risk picking him.

I don't think DC is putting well down the stretch. He looks a bit nervy (don't pair him with Garcia for heavens sake, there will be no gimmes).

 

[thecraw]

I would rather have Rose than Poulter anyday. Also believe the majority of the team would also have Rose over a big mouthed blow hard who shanks under pressure!

 

[Imurg]

Reckon Poulter has got the nod from Faldo that he's a pick. Why else would he go to USA and skip the last qualifying event? Sure a good finish should play him into a pick but a good finish at the Euro event would get him in by right wouldn't it?

he's gone to USA to get some acclimatising done before it starts.

 

[thecraw]

Poulter is chasing the buck, realised he aint making the team on his own merit and hoping to save face. If Poulter is a pick I will eat my shorts as per Bart Simpson!