Ryder Cup European Wild Cards

[Deleted member 15344]

Unless Pepperell qualifies by right I don’t think he will get a pick - it’s adding another rookie in -

 

[MendieGK]

Eddies position is largely inflated due to good performance in Scotland and the open both massive events. Other than that he has struggled this year (his win in Qatar cane from nowhere too).

I thibk Oleson getting an automatic spot stops one headache for Bjorn as Poulter was 100% going so he’ll get a pick.

I’d be shocked if Casey wasn’t playing.

 

[Steve Bamford]

More importantly will Tiger be playing?

Naturally

 

[Steve Bamford]

Intriguing situation at play here. Garcia and Stenson who you would have considered locks up until recently are both struggling. Garcia went backwards when he needed a performance last Sunday in Sedgefield. Doesn't inspire confidence. Stenson on the otherhand has this elbow injury, which he is resting this week. One of the two is sure to be selected, if not both. The other 3 spots - 1 Auto + 2 Captain Picks are pretty wide-open. Personally I expect Poulter, Olesen and a toss-up between RCB and Pieters - whoever delivers in the next couple of weeks.

 

[UlyssesSky]

No love for Russell Knox?

Not a big fan of his based on how he acted last time, but the numbers make a strong case for him: 9th on the european points list, 14th on the world points list PLUS he had a very strong finish at the Open de France (T2/-6) so he seems to like the course.
Plus he seemed to have learned his lesson and really worked to get a place on the team this time.

I generally believe a players performance in Paris earlier this year should be included in the considerations. This would give Thomas Pieters (who needs some good results the coming weeks, but isn't a Rookie and seems to get along with Rory really well, and finished T31) a slight advantage over RCB and Olesen, who both missed the cut.

 

[Grant85]

Knox is definitely an option. Solid game and very good putter.

He has been very unlucky in both of the last 2 RC periods. He had 2 massive results late 2015, one of which was winning the WGC in China. This was after the qualification period had started. He then joined the ET but these results didn't count for RC and just missed a spot. Had all his results counted, he would have made it easilly. Also given it was in the US, it seemed daft not to take him. Probably if the guys already qualified had not had so many rookies, then probably he would have gotten a pick.

Then this year, 2 of his best results have been in Europe - top 2 or 3 in France and winning in Ireland. This has put him in a reasonable position in the European list, but is actually further out on the world list.

I guess it's one of those, that his face doesn't fit because doesn't play in Europe often enough. Although he seems like a relaxed guy and I'm sure wouldn't have a problem gelling or playing with other guys.

But obviously a big result in the Fed Ex and he will be right there, albeit probably still needing a pick.

However, ultimately, he has not had enough solid results in the US tour or he'd have been much further up in the world list.

 

[Garush34]

I wouldn't say that Knox has really tired any harder than last time to get into the team. Outside of the majors and WGC's he's only played in Europe 3 times and those have been the rolex events, yeah he won one but to me it doesn't seem like he really is that bothered to get in the team, otherwise he'd have played more over here.

 

[Dan2501]

Guess it depends how much pull the other players have in selection. I'm sure Rory would love to rekindle the partnership with Pieters. I think that could definitely sway Bjorn into going that direction, and personally, I'd be more than happy to see it.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Stenson has pulled out because of the elbow injury - I think that will rule him out now but gives Garcia a certain spot if that’s the case - it also helps Casey

So will leave the last spot up to RCB or anyone who is around those spots near qualifying and has a great week/weeks

Wonder if Stenson would be involved as a Vice if he doesn’t get selected

 

[Grant85]

I wouldn't say that Knox has really tired any harder than last time to get into the team. Outside of the majors and WGC's he's only played in Europe 3 times and those have been the rolex events, yeah he won one but to me it doesn't seem like he really is that bothered to get in the team, otherwise he'd have played more over here.

I wouldn’t say that he’s not bothered, but he makes his living in the US and has to take care of his card there.

He played 4 consecutive events from French (Irish, Scottish and the Open) over here. Too many in reality and ran out of steam halfway through the Scottish.

Until he he won in Ireland he probably felt he had no chance to go for the Ryder Cup and wasn’t playing well enough to even get close.

 

[Grant85]

Stenson has pulled out because of the elbow injury - I think that will rule him out now but gives Garcia a certain spot if that’s the case - it also helps Casey

So will leave the last spot up to RCB or anyone who is around those spots near qualifying and has a great week/weeks

Wonder if Stenson would be involved as a Vice if he doesn’t get selected

i wouldn’t say it definitely rules him out. It’s not ideal, but the Ryder Cup is still over a month away.

If if he has recovered and Bjørn feels he should be in the team, then he’ll get a pick. Clearly he may only use him in foursomes and will obviously have to work out if this suits his strategy.

Stenson also misses the Scottish and then made the cut at the Open without really having a practice round. Wild a Card system very much for this type of situation where a big player has missed a few tournaments and is down the list.

 

[Garush34]

I wouldn’t say that he’s not bothered, but he makes his living in the US and has to take care of his card there.

He played 4 consecutive events from French (Irish, Scottish and the Open) over here. Too many in reality and ran out of steam halfway through the Scottish.

Until he he won in Ireland he probably felt he had no chance to go for the Ryder Cup and wasn’t playing well enough to even get close.

He's exempt through to 2020 curtesy of his WGC win on the PGA tour and has played around 24 events on the PGA tour this year, so he could have played a couple more events on the European tour if he really wanted in the team. A lot of Americans play some of the far east events at the start of the year so it's not like those that play on the PGA tour don't come over.

I'd have though after coming close in 2016, and been told by Darren Clarke that he needed to play more to justify a pick tjis time round he'd try getting there on merit and try and ensure a top 8 place.

 

[Jacko_G]

He's exempt through to 2020 curtesy of his WGC win on the PGA tour and has played around 24 events on the PGA tour this year, so he could have played a couple more events on the European tour if he really wanted in the team. A lot of Americans play some of the far east events at the start of the year so it's not like those that play on the PGA tour don't come over.

I'd have though after coming close in 2016, and been told by Darren Clarke that he needed to play more to justify a pick tjis time round he'd try getting there on merit and try and ensure a top 8 place.

It's not as simple as that as the American tournaments in general hold more world ranking points. I suspect that having played through the American College system and subsequently out on to tour that Knox believed he had a higher percentage chance of making the team through the world rankings.

 

[Grant85]

He's exempt through to 2020 curtesy of his WGC win on the PGA tour and has played around 24 events on the PGA tour this year, so he could have played a couple more events on the European tour if he really wanted in the team. A lot of Americans play some of the far east events at the start of the year so it's not like those that play on the PGA tour don't come over.

I'd have though after coming close in 2016, and been told by Darren Clarke that he needed to play more to justify a pick tjis time round he'd try getting there on merit and try and ensure a top 8 place.

Fair enough, and obviously it is much tougher to qualify on the world list. However, given his form last year I don't really think he would have been thinking about the Ryder Cup until Ireland. Which is pretty late in the qualification period and there isn't any room on the schedule after that.

If he had been in better form, he would possibly have played some of the middle east events at the start of the year.

However, a T2 in France at the Ryder Cup venue means he shouldn't be ignored again.

 

[Garush34]

It's not as simple as that as the American tournaments in general hold more world ranking points. I suspect that having played through the American College system and subsequently out on to tour that Knox believed he had a higher percentage chance of making the team through the world rankings.

But if he really thought about making the team surely he would try to qualify via both European points and world ranking points. He's just over a million off qualifying on European points, so he could have added some early season events, and I'm only talking 1 or 2 and see how he fared. I think it would give more weight to the argument of picking him, whereas right now I don't think he's as good an argument as others. Other than the French and the Irish he hasn't done much, whereas Olsen has been consistent all year long, same as Poulter.

 

[Jacko_G]

But if he really thought about making the team surely he would try to qualify via both European points and world ranking points. He's just over a million off qualifying on European points, so he could have added some early season events, and I'm only talking 1 or 2 and see how he fared. I think it would give more weight to the argument of picking him, whereas right now I don't think he's as good an argument as others. Other than the French and the Irish he hasn't done much, whereas Olsen has been consistent all year long, same as Poulter.

Golfers work to schedules. You could accuse both Stenson and Garcia of doing the same, Casey too. If Sergio doesn't now commit to playing a couple of the European events then I wouldn't be considering him if I was in Bjorn's shoes.

 

[Garush34]

Eddie marking a strong start to this week.

Just herd on sky that this week is the last week for world ranking points to count, so next week its all down to the European points list, works in some guys favour for next week.

 

[Spuddy]

Eddie marking a strong start to this week.

Just herd on sky that this week is the last week for world ranking points to count, so next week its all down to the European points list, works in some guys favour for next week.

Not quite... the world point’s list concludes after the Made in Denmark as well but points gained in the Fed Ex cup tournament won’t count. E.g. Olesen can increase his world points by playing Denmark but Poulter etc can’t by playing in the US.

 

[Dan2501]

Excellent start for Thomas Pieters, really hope he has a good few weeks and gets into the team. We're stronger with him.

Also - positive for the US. John Daly making a late push for a wildcard pick. Has a putt to get to -8 through 12 at the Czech Masters. Get him in Jim :thup:

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Casey placed well at -4