Ryder Cup Team Europe Decision Time

Following today's Italian Open on the European Tour the 9 players that have automatically qualified for the European Ryder cup side have now been confirmed. 

As you can see from the image there are still 3 places up for grabs so let’s take a look at the selection headache that Captain McGinley now faces. Realistically I feel that he needs to pick 3 from a possible 4……but will he throw up a surprise?  read my thoughts below and then let me know who you would pick in the comments below.

https://twitter.com/rydercupEUROPE/status/506096465538998272/photo/1

Stephen Gallagher

Needing a 2nd place finish at the Italian Open this week Gallagher missed out by 1 shot finishing solo 3rd. This left him 1.61 points behind Graeme McDowell in the world’s points list. He's shown great consistency over a period of time and desperately unlucky to be relying on a captain’s pick.

RC Record – Rookie

Interesting Fact – Stephen, Nephew of Bernard Gallagher, recorded 2 top 10’s in majors this year, his best return to date plus he lives fairly close to Gleneagles & knows the course well having won the Johnnie Walker Championship in 2013.

Ian Poulter

Not the best of years for Mr Poulter. His best finish of 2014 was a T5th at The Volvo China Open on the European Tour. If you were going on form alone then he may miss out but we can all recall how he seems to raise his game in the Ryder Cup – especially at Medinah in 2012.

RC Record – W12 L3 H0

Interesting Fact – Ian Poulter boasts an impressive 80% win ratio in Ryder Cup matches.

Luke Donald

Similar to Ian Poulter, Donald a former World Number 1, has seemed to struggle for a period of form during the season and has been constantly battling with swing changes. A solo second place finish at The RBC Heritage on the PGA tour being his highest finish this calendar year.

RC Record – W10 L4 H1

Interesting Fact - Luke still sits 11th in strokes gained putting on the PGA tour.

Lee Westwood

Another former world number 1, Lee has slid down the rankings to 37th. Lee does have a win under his belt this year with a runaway at The Maybank Malaysian Open. 2 other tops tens including The Masters is a poor return for a man of his ability. His short game has come under some scrutiny over the years but his Ryder Cup experience over the years that he would bring to the side could turn out to be priceless.

RC Record – W18 L13 H6

Interesting Fact – Lee sits 5th on the list of all time points won in the Ryder Cup for Team Europe.  Which ranks only behind Faldo, Langer, Montgomerie and Ballesteros.

Joost Luiten

The Dutchman hasn’t managed to pick up a win this year following an impressive 2013 however 5 top 10 finishes is a model of consistency but another rookie in the team may not be the best option?

RC Record – Rookie

Interesting Fact – Joost managed a W2 L1 record in this year’s Eurasia cup forming a partnership with Frenchman and 2014 Ryder Cup Rookie Victor Dubuisson.

Francesco Molinari

Heart ruling head Molinari was the man that ensured Team Europe won the Ryder Cup in 2012 rather than just retaining it but poor form during this season has only resulted in 5 top 10 finishes. He does seem to show signs of great hope every now and then.

RC Record – W0 L4 H2

Interesting Fact – Francesco sits 6th in strokes gained tee to green on PGA tour which could play as an advantage.

What about the wild wild cards?  would any of Lowry, Jimenz or Langer get your pick ?  let us know in the comments below who you would get your 3 Captain's picks.

More Ryder Cup coverage: www.golfshake.com/news/rydercup/