Ryder Cup Countdown - Players Form

Post by Sports Writer Derek Clements

WITH the Ryder Cup countdown now well and truly under way, it is worth looking at the form of all 24 players who will be heading for Gleneagles.

And the first thing to note is that the players who finished first and second in the FedEx Cup standings (Billy Horschel and Chris Kirk) won't even be there.

On the face of it, there is plenty of good news for Tom Watson. Jim Furyk was fourth, Bubba Watson fifth, Hunter Mahan sixth, Jimmy Walker seventh, Matt Kuchar eighth and Rickie Fowler was ninth. So six of his team made the top nine.

The only European to get into the mix was Rory McIlroy, who finished third, but will know full well that he blew a couple of very good chances to seal the deal and was outplayed by Horschel during the final two rounds of the Tour Championship.

Jordan Spieth was 15th, but the 21-year-old is currently playing the worst golf of his professional career. Justin Rose (11th) and Sergio Garcia were the only other Europeans to finish in the top 15, and both will head to Scotland happy with their form.

Zach Johnson (18th) and Patrick Reed (21st) and Webb Simpson (25th) owe their finishes to their early-season form, as does Martin Kaymer (16th). Keegan Bradley (33rd) and Phil Mickelson (a miserable 68th) didn't even make it to the Tour Championship. It is the first time in his long and illustrious career that Mickelson hasn't made it to the Tour Championship. The left-hander only secured automatic selection with his performance at the US PGA championship in August and, whisper it, he is probably the weak link in Watson's team.

As for the other Europeans who mainly ply their trade on the PGA Tour, there was little to celebrate. Henrik Stenson won the FedEx Cup last year, but this time he finished 52nd, while Graeme McDowell (56th), Ian Poulter (78th) and Lee Westwood (107th) were all also-rans.

After making such a heroic effort to gain a wild card pick, Stephen Gallacher failed to make the cut at the Wales Open, and looked exhausted and out of sorts. Thomas Bjorn struggled in the same tournament, while Jamie Donaldson maintained his good form in front of his home fans. Victor Dubuisson took the week off and will arrive fresh and raring to go.

On the face of it then, there an awful lot of players out of touch as they face three of the biggest days of their careers. For the rookies, there is the ordeal to come of hitting their opening shots - they have all played in major championship but will not have experienced pressure like this before.

Expect Jimmy Walker to thrive. He has no weaknesses and possesses a wonderful temperament. Bubba Watson, Keegan Bradley and Rickie Fowler will wear their hearts on their sleeves and will probably each be required to play five times.

A huge, passionate and noisy crowd will test the nerve of all 24 players. Some will emerge as heroes, others will want the ground to open and swallow them whole.

Derek Clements is a sports journalist with a particular passion for golf with over 12 years of experience covering golf and other sports including Chief Sub-Editor on the sports desk of The Sunday Times. To contact Derek email direct via [email protected]