Ryder Cup European Wild Cards

Lord Tyrion

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The last Ryder Cup also taught us that taking out of form older players based on past performances doesn't work either. A chance will have to be taken somewhere along the line.
 
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The last Ryder Cup also taught us that taking out of form older players based on past performances doesn't work either. A chance will have to be taken somewhere along the line.
Already have 5 rookies which is a lot , taking one more makes it half the team of rookies - even more so when it’s not exactly a rookie who is setting the golf world alight , would be mad to take Pepperell- nice guy no doubt but just not at that top level unlike the rest. The one player who is “older and out of form” that is on the edge is Garcia

The others - Poulter , RCB , Stenson all have had good seasons and Pieters is showing good form and certainly is a step above Pepperell. I would rather the captain take a risk on Garcia than Pepperell
 

Jacko_G

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Pieters has to go after the way he played in the last one for me. Rory got the headlines but Pieters got 4 points from 5 matches. He showed some very promising form at the PGA. He makes my team.

Pieters carried Rory I agree but has done sod all since.

He's not done enough this time round and isn't as accomplished or experienced as RCB who I would have ahead of him.
 

Imurg

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This Rookies thing is being overplayed.
Rookies last time were Willet, Wood, Sullivan, Fitz, Rafa and Pieters.
Pieters and Rafa justified their place, the others didn't
This year's rookies are Fleetwood, Rahm, Hatton and Noren.
These 4 are streets ahead of the class of 2016 in terms of quality and experience of playing at the highest level
Although they are, technically, Rookies they really aren't.....
 

Grant85

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This Rookies thing is being overplayed.
Rookies last time were Willet, Wood, Sullivan, Fitz, Rafa and Pieters.
Pieters and Rafa justified their place, the others didn't
This year's rookies are Fleetwood, Rahm, Hatton and Noren.
These 4 are streets ahead of the class of 2016 in terms of quality and experience of playing at the highest level
Although they are, technically, Rookies they really aren't.....

I agree with this.

And there is room for another rookie this time, which there wasn't really last time hence Kaymer and Westwood getting picks ahead of Knox, and unfortunately neither justifying their selection. Although at the time I agreed with both picks, given the rest of the team.

I think Knox is possibly playing himself into contention. Has had a good start in America and had a T2 round Paris National. He would be extremely unlucky to just miss out on 2 Ryder Cups.
I don't think Bjorn is particularly sentimental like that, and I'm sure won't know Knox well - but the guy is 9th on the European Points list and 8th on the Race 2 Dubai with only playing 3 European tour events (plus majors & WGCs).

Also, pretty sure that Europe have never won the Ryder Cup without a Scotsman in the team (incl. Captain). 2008 and 2016 there were no Scots - both heavy defeats.
 

Dan2501

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Pieters carried Rory I agree but has done sod all since.

He's not done enough this time round and isn't as accomplished or experienced as RCB who I would have ahead of him.

Last 4 comps he's played in he's finished T6, T28, T6, T9. Two of those are Majors, the two in the middle. Hasn't missed a cut since May, he's 22nd on the R2D, not bad for someone that's done "sod all". He's in some very good form right now, was our best player at the last RC and is a no-brainer pick for me.
 

Grant85

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Pieters is a tricky one.

A few weeks ago, I'd have picked him. But having got into a decent position at the PGA and obviously being in decent form, I expected to see him do a bit more. He's been competitive and had a few good rounds, but hasn't really come close to winning, in events with modest fields.

Plus there are a LOT of players ahead of him in the rankings. And a lot of players who have played very few European Tour events, compared with Pieters.

Assuming Olessen qualifies automatically, I would be looking at Poulter, Stenson, RCB and Knox.
Leaves out Casey, Pieters, Garcia.

Casey is the only one who could be seriously pissed off with that. Garcia hasn't played well, and didn't show enough intent to demonstrate any form after missing out on the Fed Ex playoffs. I think it would be a crazy gamble to take him and I actually think Garcia doesn't expect or really want a pick.

In saying that, I'd still be surprised if Casey doesn't make it.
 
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Well Fitzpatrick had a great run today , a win for him would really put the cat amongst the pigeons , Pieters was flat and Pepperells Race is run - Olesen still there at the moment.

How about Westy - great round today and showing to form going into the RC :giggle:
 

USER1999

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Good to see Hatton finding some form, and Rose, and Rafa. Noren, Casey and Knox doing ok too. Not seeing Poults up there on the board.
 

Imurg

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I can't get my head around how anyone can think Garcia can get picked over any of the others..
His form since April has been poor - and that's being kind.
Why do people think he's suddenly going to come good for one weekend at the end of September?
On current form, Westwood should be in front of Garcia in the queue.
Poulter is making it harder to pick him. Great up until a few weeks ago and now he's dropped off in form.
I think either Oleson will do enough to qualify or Fitz won't win so my picks would be..
Stenson
Poulter
Casey
Cabrera-Bello

Pieters and Fitz to just miss out.
Pepperell and Knox not close enough this time.
 
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Well the top 8 confirmed

Rose
Molinari
Fleetwood
Rahm
Rory
Hatton
Noren
Olesen

So that’s 5 guys who haven’t played R
For me all four wildcards will be guys who have played

Poulter imo is a guarantee same with RCB

Stenson I think will get in

So it leaves one spot imo between

Garcia , Casey and Pieters
 

JohnnyDee

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Not a bad shout Phil. Fitzpatrick seemed resigned to have missed the boat speaking on Sky just now.

I’d go with Sergio for experience and team spirit because as Poulter has done in the past I think Sergio will raise his game. He feels the Seve legacy and think he’ll feed off it.
 

Grant85

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Bjørn on sky was pressed into saying that he is pretty sure on 3 of them and the other one he’s not.

I’d assume the 3 he’s sure of will be Poulter, Casey & Stenson. So leaves a place for maybe RCB, Knox, Fitzpatrick or an other.

My guess would be Rafa.
 
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Bjørn on sky was pressed into saying that he is pretty sure on 3 of them and the other one he’s not.

I’d assume the 3 he’s sure of will be Poulter, Casey & Stenson. So leaves a place for maybe RCB, Knox, Fitzpatrick or an other.

My guess would be Rafa.
I don’t think Casey is one of the definates - if looking at recent form can only be RCB

I think Casey will miss out - his form isn’t really justifying being picked the same with Garcia but if going for expirence then Garcia over Casey

But if Wallace wins this it does show how something isn’t right when someone wins twice on the ET in one year and be nowhere near

He is the guy on form so maybe he will be someone Bjorn looks at

Make that three wins in one year
 
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