Colin Montgomery has picked his team for the Ryder Cup and there are a lot of first timers involved, all winning their places through playing good golf. There are no favourites chosen, in that respect Monty has been ruthless, leaving out the likes of Paul Casey and Justin Rose. This I’m a fan of, but the lack of experience in the team is a worry, it must be.
There are no less than six debutants in the team, all but one qualifying automatically after good seasons on the tour, the other, Edoardo Molinari joining his brother Francesco (another debutant) via wildcard after winning the Johnnie Walker Championship. The rest include Martin Kaymer of Germany, Ross Fisher of England, Peter Hanson from Sweden and the outstandingly talented Rory McIlroy from Northern Ireland.
All have had great seasons and deserve their place ahead of more established and experienced stars – Monty has picked on form, not reputation. With one exception; Lee Westwood.
Westwood, who has six Ryder Cups under his belt, is currently recovering from a calf injury and may not make it but Monty obviously feels his experience is needed in a team of rookies. I agree. Despite the fact he won’t play any serious golf between now and October, he’ll be a fantastic boost to the team. Should he not, Justin Rose, with two PGA tour titles to his name this season, will step in.
The other two wildcards were given to the equally experienced Major winner Padraig Harrington and England’s Luke Donald. Strong picks again, though Harrington appears to be the only one NOT picked on form, but for his Major titles. Plus, he hasn’t won a Ryder Cup match since 2004, so the pressure will be on him.
Despite the relative inexperience of half the team, this looks a side with a good balance and underlines the strength of European golf at the moment. The fact that the likes of Paul Casey and Sergio Garcia (playing at least), for example, aren’t included shouldn’t be a cause for concern, but a statement of strength to the Americans.
It’s a risk, yes, but a calculated one on Monty’s part and the presence of Miguel Angel Jiminez alongside Westwood and Harrington should calm any debut nerves. Graeme McDowell, too, has one Ryder Cup on his CV and will be an important part of the team.
Monty’s real strength and advantage over his counterpart Corey Pavin, however, is the team he has assembled to work behind the scenes and in the dressing room.
Working as his vice captains and monitoring the play as it unfolds across Celtic Manor will be Thomas Bjorn, Darren Clarke and Paul McGinley.
Bjorn brings passion, McGinley tactical know-how and Clarke…well, Clarke is just huge in personality and influence. Like the playing team, the backroom staff is well balanced and will serve Monty well.
When announcing his final line-up, Monty also added Sergio Garcia to his vice captains, purely on the fact Garcia ASKED to be included somehow. This, according to Monty, “shows what the Ryder Cup means to him and he is going to be a great asset to us” – can’t argue with that, frankly.
I really can’t remember a stronger dressing room in recent Ryder Cup history, certainly not when Nick Faldo lost two years ago. Perhaps when Ian Woosnam led Europe to victory at the K Club in 2006 with a record equalling points total.
The inclusion of Clarke I particularly like as I’ve always been a big, big fan of his. The only shame is that it means Jose Maria Olazabal has to stay home, with long standing injury problems given as the reason. Seems a weak excuse to me, but as I said, Monty is being ruthless, such is his desire to beat America.
Back to the playing staff, though, and who I’ll be watching closely. Definitely the Molinari brothers playing together (the first time brothers have done so since 1963) but it’s McIlroy that really excites me. Just 21 this kid seems to have it all and I can’t wait to find out how he’ll fair in the pressure cooker that is the Ryder Cup. I really hope he puts on a show.
Nothing will please me more than to see Monty lift the Cup on October 3rd in Wales. Despite the fact he can be a right moody bugger you can’t question his passion for the game or the Ryder Cup and what he has available in talent and support is unsurpassed. The Americans, I don’t think, have the answer to this team.
Full European Ryder Cup Team
Captain: Colin Montgomerie
Vice Captains: Darren Clarke, Sergio Garcia, Thomas Bjorn, Paul McGinley
- Lee Westwood (Eng) Age 37; Previous Ryder Cups 6
- Martin Kaymer (Ger) 25; Debut
- Rory McIlroy (NI) 21; Debut
- Graeme McDowell (NI) 31; RC 1
- Ian Poulter (Eng) 34; RC 2
- Ross Fisher (Eng) 29; Debut
- Francesco Molinari (Ita) 27; Debut
- M A Jimenez (Spa) 46; RC 3
- Peter Hanson (Swe) 32; Debut
- Padraig Harrington (Ire) 38; RC 5
- Luke Donald (Eng) 32; RC 2
- Edoardo Molinari (Ita) 29; Debut
2010 Ryder Cup, October 1-3, The Celtic Manor Resort, Newport, Wales
The 2010 Ryder Cup will be shown live on Sky Sports and in 3D for the first time on Sky 3D, the first residential 3D channel in Europe, launching on October 1st.
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