Cabrera Bello desperate for second Ryder Cup appearance
Rafa Cabrera Bello will do everything in his power to make the European Ryder Cup team when he tees it up at the Northern Trust this week.
Cabrera Bello has every intention of featuring in a second successive Ryder Cup, after finishing unbeaten from three matches in his rookie appearance in 2016.
The qualifying process to the biennial event has been something of a roller-coaster journey for the Spaniard.
His last three events have seen his chances boosted – T11 at the Wyndham Championship, T10 at the PGA Championship and T17 at the WGC Bridgestone Invitational.
The four events he competed in prior to that impressive stretch were not quite as smart though – 74th at The Open Championship and missed cuts at the Scottish Open, Irish Open and French Open.
The bottom line is Cabrera Bello is yet to secure his spot on Europe’s team for Le Golf National – sitting ninth in the World Points List ahead of this week’s Northern Trust in New Jersey which is the final qualifying event for European players playing in the US.
Cabrera Bello believes that even if he doesn’t qualify automatically, he has every chance of being one of Thomas Bjorn’s Captains Picks.
“I phoned Thomas on Monday morning as I wanted the best advice from him with regards to my scheduling these next two weeks and what would be best for me in trying to qualify for the team,” said Cabrera-Bello.
“Given this is the last European team qualifying event in the States, I shared my thoughts with him and he was very understanding. All I can do is my best this week and outside of that it is beyond my control.
“It all hinges on how well I play here in New Jersey, so I can’t say at this stage whether I will go to Denmark [Made in Denmark] next week.
“If I were to win this week I may still not make the team but for sure, but if I were to win it sends the message to Thomas (Bjorn) of my determination.
“I also would like to think that my experience, and also my record from Hazeltine will help me prepare, as I am not a rookie and I know what the Ryder Cup is all about. I was a very good player when I got to Hazeltine in 2016 and I feel I am as good as a players two years on.”
Latest
-
NewsMatt Fitzpatrick relishing favourite tag as he chases first PGA Tour title
Fitzpatrick bounced back from his Ryder Cup disappointment to win the Andalucia Masters.
-
European TourLee Westwood: From winning the Race to Dubai to sitting outside the top 100 in the rankings
The Englishman needs a good end to the regular season if he is to make the DP WORLD TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP at Jumeirah in Dubai.
-
PGA TourJapanese golfing hero Hideki Matsuyama’s top five PGA Tour victories
Following his victory on home soil in the ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP we take a look at the 29-year-old’s finest PGA Tour moments.
-
European TourMallorca champion Jeff Winther nearly missed final round due to bathroom drama
Winther’s six-year-old daughter had to come to the rescue.
-
European TourJeff Winther claims maiden European Tour title with Mallorca victory
The 33-year-old Dane finished one shot clear of Sebastian Soderberg, Pep Angles and Jorge Campillo.
-
PGA TourHideki Matsuyama triumphs on home soil to take ZOZO Championship title
Matsuyama finished five shots clear of runner-up Brendan Steele.
-
PGA TourHideki Matsuyama one shot in front heading into final round of ZOZO Championship
The 29-year-old Japanese held a three-shot advantage at one stage down the back nine.
-
PGA TourMatt Wallace remains in contention at ZOZO Championship after strong finish
Wallace was two over par for his first 15 holes at Narashino Country Club but birdied the 16th, 17th and 18th to add a 69 to his opening 65.
-
PGA TourMatt Wallace two shots off the lead after first round of the ZOZO Championship
Home favourite Hiroshi Iwata led the way on seven under.
-
PGA TourCollin Morikawa looking forward to having fans back in Japan
The American is racking up the miles as he contends at the start of the PGA Tour season and the end of the European Tour campaign.