PIETERS, WESTWOOD, KAYMER PUT ON EURO TEAM

Darren Clarke set up a WhatsApp messaging group with his Ryder Cup assistants to discuss which European golfers looked the best leading up to the deadline for his three captain’s picks. The name of Thomas Pieters popped up more than any other. The 24- year- old Belgian was selected Tuesday as one of Europe’s three wild cards for next month’s showdown with the USA at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minn. Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer were “very obvious” choices as two of the captain’s picks, Clarke said. The final selection boiled down to Pieters and Russell Knox, players who won events this month. Pieters got the nod on the back of this hot run: fourth place in the Rio Olympics, second in the Czech Masters and then a victory in the Made in Denmark tournament where he birdied the last three holes Sunday.