OLDEST SWINGERS IN TOWN!

WHEN europe won the Ryder Cup for the first time on American soil in 1987, the oldest player in the team was eamonn Darcy, who had just turned 35. When they won at Oakland hills, Detroit, in 2004, only Colin Montgomerie and Miguel Angel Jimenez had tip-toed over the age of 40.

What a difference this time. It might be five months before this year’s teams are finalised but it’s shaping up for europe to field their oldest Ryder Cup side of all time.

Following a fabulous three months for those of a grey-flecked persuasion, as many as six of the team could be in their forties. There will certainly be a vivid contrast with the American line-up.

With Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson gone, the oldest player in the top 15 in the US automatic standings is world No1 Dustin Johnson, at the ripe old age of 36.

Of the rest of the top nine, seven are aged 30 or younger while Tony Finau is 31. It’s feasible this American team will have an average age that’s six or seven years younger than their opponents.

We thought this Ryder Cup would see a similar evolution for europe but, right now, the old boys are earning the right to play on.

Three of the european veterans are playing so well that they look stitched-on already for a place in the team. There’s Lee Westwood (top), who’s showing his best form for a decade or so on the cusp of his 48th birthday.

he will surely be joined by Paul Casey, who will be 44, and Sergio Garcia, 41, europe’s record points scorer who still looked the best ball-striker in the field at the World Match Play last week.

There’s Ian Poulter (above), now 45, but, as he showed in Austin, still one of europe’s top dozen when it comes to the wiles and strategy of 18 holes of matchplay.

That’s before we come to the Ryder Cup partnership that has been a rock for europe. Can we really envisage skipper Padraig harrington not picking Justin Rose, once he overcomes his back injury and if he starts showing some form over the summer? Then there’s henrik Stenson, toiling to keep the ball on the planet right now, admittedly, but he’s been wild before and put it behind him. It’s not a massive stretch to imagine them all making the team, is it? Well, five of them anyway. helping their cause is the fact that the rest of the team will provide a necessary counterbalance.

The oldest is likely to be Rory McIlroy, who will be 32 by September, with two debutants in Viktor hovland from Norway and Victor Perez from France. Add Jon Rahm, Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrrell hatton and Matt Fitzpatrick, and you’ve got an intriguing blend.

It’s also a side that, at 34 years and eight months, would have an average age higher than the age of 11 members of Tony Jacklin’s team at Muirfield Village in 1987.

Back then, they danced on tables with the fans and partied all night. Triumph this time, and they might be asking the fans to keep the noise down.