An Olympic Gold medal and a couple of bucks will get you a cup of coffee at the 2016 Ryder Cup matches.
That’s basically the case for your Gold Medal winner in the golf competition.
Right now, with the PGA Tour playoffs starting, Justin Rose is on the outside looking in at the European Ryder Cup points standings.
Euro Captain Darren Clarke has a dilemma, so to speak.
Right now there are a lot of familiar names ready to claim spots on his team: Chris Wood, Andy Sullivan, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Soren Kjeldsen and Tyrrell Hatton. Those aren’t household names and certainly won’t strike much fear into the American side.
For the American fans, unless they follow the European Tour in a big way, it’s a “who are those guys?” moment.
Along with Rose, guys like Martin Kaymer, Lee Westwood, Shane Lowry and Sergio Garcia are all struggling to become captain’s picks for the European side.
These playoffs are pretty important to all of them. A good showing will make Rose a “must pick” by Clarke, despite the fact that he’s No. 26 on their points list.
Number 26 on the USA rankings, Webb Simpson, would be a Ryder Cup afterthought.
Webb doesn’t have an Olympic Gold medal.
Rose does.
Rose was impressive in Rio and the guy he beat — Henrik Stenson — is certainly the world’s hottest player.
Which brings us back to Rose.
It’s gonna be hard for Clarke NOT to pick him.
