CHANGE THE SYSTEM
Sergio Garcia would be in Europe’s Ryder Cup top 10 if a simple switch to the qualifying system was made.
Sergio Garcia, seventh in the world, and Open runner-up Ian Poulter would be in Europe’s Ryder Cup top 10 if a simple switch to the qualifying system had been made.
Both are in need of a wild card as things stand because only five automatic selections come off a world points list and the next five off European Tour earnings.
The 10 who are in at the moment are Padraig Harrington, Lee Westwood, Henrik Stenson, Robert Karlsson, Miguel Angel Jimenez, Graeme McDowell, Soren Hansen, Oliver Wilson, Martin Kaymer and Justin Rose.
If the European list took preference the 10 would be Westwood, Karlsson, Jimenez, McDowell, Harrington, Stenson, Garcia, Poulter, Rose and Kaymer.
The qualifying race still has more than a month to run, but captain Nick Faldo has only two wild cards and at the moment Garcia, Poulter, Paul Casey, Colin Montgomerie and Luke Donald – currently out injured – are among those requiring a pick.
Who among these five would you leave out, bearing in mind their current form and their proven abilities as Ryder Cup players?
It’s not an easy one, though Luke Donald’s on-going wrist injury might be a good reason to rule him out for starters.
Latest
-
PGA ChampionshipGraeme Storm recalls ‘surreal’ US PGA adventure after battle with Rory McIlroy
His famous victory over McIlroy came on the third extra hole in the 2017 South African Open in Johannesburg
-
PGA TourLee Kyoung-Hoon shoots his lowest round on the tour to retain Texas title
Dallas-born Jordan Spieth went close with a chip for eagle on the 18th which would have forced a play-off.
-
European TourSam Horsfield ‘so happy’ after winning Soudal Open to secure another title
Horsfield overcame overnight leader Ryan Fox in a thrilling final-round battle.
-
PGA ChampionshipJustin Rose still has drive to succeed as ‘exciting challenge’ of US PGA arrives
Rose won the US Open in 2013 and Olympic gold in Rio three years later, but has not tasted victory since February 2019.
-
PGA ChampionshipTiger Woods will expect to do better at US PGA Championship – Curtis Strange
Woods returned to top-level action after a long injury absence with a 47th-placed finished at the Masters.
-
PGA ChampionshipDefending champion Phil Mickelson withdraws from US PGA Championship
The six-time major winner has been taking a break from golf.
-
PGA TourEnglish rookie David Skinns shares lead in Texas
The 40-year-old from Lincoln shot a second-round 63 in the AT&T Byron Nelson.
-
PGA ChampionshipJordan Spieth looking for career grand slam at US PGA Championship
The presence or absence of defending champion Phil Mickelson which will dominate the conversation at Southern Hills.
-
PGA Championship5 contenders to win the US PGA Championship
Tiger Woods could contend for victory in Tulsa.
-
NewsWe’ve got your back – Greg Norman promises to defend players on breakaway tour
Phil Mickelson and Lee Westwood are among the professionals to have asked for the required release to play the first event at Centurion Club.