Pieters sends strong message to Ryder Cup captain

THOMAS Pieters produced a brilliant finish to win his third European Tour title at the Made in Denmark and send a message to Ryder Cup captain Darren Clarke.

Pieters arrived at Himmerland Golf & Spa Resort as the form man on Tour with top-five finishes in his last two events, but knowing that automatic qualification for the European team to go to Hazeltine in September was out of his reach.

He played the first two rounds with Clarke and opened with a course record-equalling 62 before giving a masterclass in scrambling in a level par 71 on Friday.

Yesterday, he showed incredible cool under pressure, shrugging off the distraction of a four-hour-and-15-minute weather delay to almost make a hole-in-one on the 16th and put his approaches on the 17th and 18th to close range for three closing birdies and a 17-under-par total.

That gave him a 65 and a one-shot win over Bradley Dredge, and will also give Clarke some food for thought before making his three captain’s picks tomorrow.

“I really needed a good finish,” said Pieters. “I saw I was one back walking to the green on 16 and I hit a great shot there, but I knew I needed to make at least one more. To finish with two more birdies was pretty cool.

“It’s all about winning tournaments. I’m really happy with this one. That was one of my goals, to just have one every year, just so you know you’re improving and you can win. That’s very important. I’m very, very happy.

“He (Clarke) has got plenty of good players to pick from, so if he doesn’t pick me, then so be it and I’ll work my butt off to get there in the next one. But I’ve done all I can now and I’m just pleased with this win, to be honest.” – EuropeanTour