Here’s the team I want to see take on the Americans
ON your marks, get set, go. The race to make next year’s European Ryder Cup team in France is on.
After today’s conclusion of the Czech Open, we will have the first points list as the team starts to take shape for captain Thomas Bjorn over the next 12 months.
By then, he will have eight guaranteed players – four from the European Points list and four from the World Points list. The Dane will then choose four wildcards, which I think is too many.
For me, two is the right number to cover for injury or illness. With four, you talk more about those than you do about performance.
So it’s time to get the crystal ball out to try to predict which 12 men will line up to face a very strong American team at Le Golf National next September.
■ RORY McILROY: Bjorn will want Rory fully recovered from his injury and back to his very best.
We don’t want McIlroy as World No.4 or 5. We want him back at World No.1. That would be such a boost to the rest of the team.
■ HENRIK STENSON, JUSTIN
ROSE, SERGIO GARCIA: You can’t imagine the side without them. The trio have been quiet in recent months, but these Major winners will do enough in Europe and America to make sure they are selected.
■ ALEX NOREN: The Swede is a proven winner and he has shone on the big stage.
The way he shot 62 on the final day at Wentworth in May was the sign of a true champion.
■ JON RAHM: Having won this year on both sides of the Atlantic, Rahm is a special talent. Still only 22, the Spaniard is desperate to play in the Ryder Cup and he would be a great asset.
■ TOMMY FLEETWOOD: He leads the Race to Dubai standings and is having a fantastic year. It’s not a flash-in-the-pan and making the team will be a huge goal of his.
■ RAFA CABRERA-BELLO: The Spaniard underlined his class this summer with his win in the Scottish Open at Dundonald Links and then tied fourth at The Open.
■ THOMAS PIETERS: Like Cabrera-Bello, he impressed as a rookie at Hazeltine, despite being on a losing team.
The Belgian hasn’t quite kicked on as much this year as was expected. But there is so much more to come and it would be a big surprise if he didn’t make it.
■ FRANCESCO MOLINARI: He played in two winning teams at Celtic Manor and Medinah, but the Italian is now a better player.
Going to America has improved his putting, as he showed with a runners-up finish at the US PGA and he is also so consistent.
■ TYRRELL HATTON: It has been a hard few months trying to balance playing on two tours. But back in Europe, Hatton is good enough to produce the results he needs for a debut appearance.
■ JORDAN SMITH: For the final spot, I’m torn between Jordan, Austrian Bernd Wiesberger and Ross Fisher.
However, If we’re looking for a potential rising start to emerge, the young Englishman is the man most likely.
I was so impressed with how the 24-year-old won his maiden event in Germany in July and followed that with a top-10 in his debut Major at Quail Hollow.
These are the players I’ve gone for but there are plenty of others who will be desperate to be one of the magic dozen.
But I think we have seen the last of Lee Westwood in a playing role, and while Ian Poulter has recovered his form this summer, he will have to play even better to make the Ryder Cup.
Scotland’s Russell Knox was unlucky to miss out last time. But he must re-establish himself in America to catch Bjorn’s eye.
But my rule is that all players start with a blank sheet of paper. If you can win one of the big events, you can catapult yourself right into Ryder Cup contention.