It’s so very easy to identify the best player on Paddy Harrington’s European Ryder Cup team.
Two words — Jon Rahm — or three if you want to be totally correct — Jon Rahm Rodriguez — world’s No. 1.
Now that Steve Stricker has made his captain’s picks and the well-stocked, incredibly powerful American team has been assembled, it’s time to take a looksee at how the rest of Captain Harrington’s team will play out.
In Europe, the selection process is a bit different but things are starting to take shape and with this week’s BMW International underway at iconic Wentworth Golf Club, players are making their last-second gasp to impress Harrington — hoping to play well enough to get his attention.
Before we get into the BMW International, let’s take a quick look at how Harrington’s European team is shaping up.
World’s No. 1 Jon Rahm (Rodriguez) is the cornerstone, the rock, the one-man ass-kicking machine. Tommy Fleetwood, who haunted the U.S. last go-round with Francesco Molinari (Moli-Wood) is on the team, Molinari is not (yet). Rory McIlroy and Tyrrell Hatton have high expectations. First-timer Viktor Hovland will be an integral part, same for Matt Fitzpatrick. That’s six solid players.
Next it’s highly probable that Paul Casey, Lee Westwood and former Open champion Shane Lowry will be members of the Harrington squad. That makes a Nifty Nine.
Things get a little difficult to predict after that and it’s why this Flagship event of the European Tour holds a lot of importance this week.
Only thing Justin Rose won this year was the Payne Stewart award. Ian Poulter has been a thorn in America’s side, same for Sergio Garcia. Alex Noren has shown a lot of grit and talent. Long shots may be Bernd Wiesberger, Victor Perez and young Scot Robert MacIntyre.
Meanwhile, back at Wentworth, portly Kiradech Aphibarnrat set the opening day tone with an eight-under par 64 along with South African Christiaan Bezuidenhout. But that’s meaningless to Harrington — they’re candidates for the next International squad (Presidents Cup). Adam Scott shot 65, he’s an International guy.
Now Rose enters the picture with a day one 67. Hasn’t been a great year on the course for Rosey but he’s got a lot of Ryder Cup experience.
Molinari had a simply miserable year on the PGA Tour but he shot 69. You’d think he’d have to win it all on Sunday just to get Harrington’s attention. Things look grim for the “Moli” in “Moli-Wood.”
Westwood and Lowry shot 70s. Not great, not bad and Poulter made his way around Wentworth in even par 72.
The good news for Harrington is that he has no Patrick Reed to toil over mentally. Captain Stricksie (aka Steve Stricker) says he lost sleep over not picking Reed. At least that’s his story and he’s sticking to it.
No, Paddy has the likes of Sergio, Rose and Poulter to mull over — and those are pretty good lads when it comes to the “mulling-over” aspect of the captain’s duties.
To help out, Paddy’s got Martin Kaymer, Graeme McDowell, Luke Donald and Robert Karlsson as his vice captains.
Captain Stricksie has his Dirty Dozen at Whistling Straits this week, hoping to out-prepare the Euros.
Preparation is one thing — performance is another.
Can’t wait to see who finalizes Harrington’s squad.
That’ll happen next week.
10 Comments
Golfnutt
Here’s an idea for Ryder Cup teams — If they live here (Austin, TX or anywhere in Florida), are married to an American, have a US state license plate on their car, they should play for us.
Tom Edrington
A LOT of European players live in the US, many over in Jupiter, some at Lake Nona and Islesworth; Abraham Ancer has dual citizenship and I thought that the U.S. should claim him, would LOVE him on the US Ryder Cup team!!
baxter cepeda
We probably would leave him out like Na for someone bigger whom will come up small on the greens.
Andrew Finlayson
Every year (metaphorically speaking) the Euro Ryder Cup team is described as ‘underdogs’. The American team is always full of Major Champions, of stars, of the elite of the golfing crop.
And each time, a team of decent players seems to beat a loose gaggle of ‘superstars’.
Will be interesting to see what happens this time around.
Tom Edrington
Great thoughts there Andrew, perfect description of what transpired in France in 2018.
baxter cepeda
Most likely much of the same.
Go USA !
baxter cepeda
If I know the euros Ryder cup organizational greatness by now it will be an easy decision for them:
Rose, Poulter and Sergio to go with the likely names Tom mentioned.
It’s kinda sad not having Molly-wood but it’s possible fleetwood won’t play much himself due to form.
Tom Edrington
Fleetwood hits it like a star, putts like a pig.
baxter cepeda
He has a lot of company in men’s golf in that regard, which is why I feel the women putt better overall.
Tom Edrington
You only see the top women on TV, overall, down the line, men putt better