Daz picks old hands

DARREN CLARKE is banking on Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer to spearhead Europe’s Ryder Cup defence.

Europe’s captain yesterday finalised his 12-man team to take on United States next month by selecting experienced pair Westwood and Kaymer, and new boy Thomas Pieters, as his three wildcard picks.

With five rookies filling the nine automatic qualifying places, Clarke wanted to balance the team with some old heads at Hazeltine, Minnesota.

And you don’t get much more experienced than 43-year-old Westwood – making his 10th consecutive appearance at the biennial event – and two-time Major winner Kaymer, 31.

Clarke said: “Lee is one of the most experienced Ryder Cup players of all time and Martin is also a Ryder Cup stalwart.

“Narrowing it down to those three wildcards has been a very difficult process. But I said I was going to look to experience ® and with Lee and Martin, I had two former world No.1s.

“The way Thomas has played over the last four weeks has impressed me so much I found it impossible to leave him out.”

In-form Pieters’ inclusion comes at the expense of Scot Russell Knox, who finished 10th in qualifying.

Ian Poulter is sidelined with a foot injury while Graeme McDowell and Luke Donald were among those overlooked.

Clarke added: “It’s a big task. The American team is shaping up strongly, but my players are world class in their own right.

“The talent they possess, I have no worries at all.”

Masters champion Danny Willett, Rafael Cabrera-Bello, English trio Chris Wood, Andy Sullivan and Matt Fitzpatrick, and Pieters will be new to the tournament.

The other automatic selections teeing off on September 30 will be Rory McIlroy, Henrik Stenson, Sergio Garcia and Olympic champion Justin Rose.