McGinley reveals Ryder Cup Team
European Ryder Cup team Captain Paul McGinley announced his Ryder cup team to take on the United Sates at Gleneagles later this month.
Former world number one Lee Westwood, 12 time European Tour winner Ian Poulter and Scotland’s Stephen Gallacher were picked as Wild cards by McGinley.
“I think we have three players that will add a lot to the nine already qualified and make the European team as strong as it needs to be to take on the might of America,” said the Irishmen.
“I’m delighted with those players who have earned their way in. It’s a who’s who of European golf and all credit to the guys. It’s a phenomenal standard of performance we’ve seen.
“If you’re a European fan you’ve got to be excited with that team, it’s a wonderful team going into battle against what will be a strong American team. I know they’ve had some issues over there but I’m under no illusions how difficult this task is going to be. They’ll be well led by Tom Watson and they have a lot of players who have shown a lot of form.”
Those who miss out on selection include another former world number one Luke Donald and Italy’s Francesco Molinari. McGinley’s decision to omit Donald from the team is a big one, as the Englishman has a great Ryder Cup record, earning a possible 10.5 out of 15 points.
Someone who has made the team almost purely on his Ryder Cup record is Poulter. The snappy dresser has had a poor year earning just two top ten finishes. However, he was been a part of three winning Ryder Cup teams and boasts an impressiveb 80% win rate at the event.
Meanwhile, Jamie Donaldson, Victor Dubuisson and 39-year-old Gallacher are the debutantes for the iconic event.
US team captain Tom Watson will announce his team later on Tuesday.
2014 European Ryder Cup Team
Rory McIlroy
Henrik Stenson
Martin Kaymer
Sergio Garcia
Justin Rose
Victor Dubuisson
Thomas Bjorn
Graeme McDowell
Jamie Donaldson
Ian Poulter
Lee Westwood
Stephen Gallacher
Latest
-
European TourI’m on the right path – Rory McIlroy excited about road to next majors challenge
McIlroy is now a combined 148 under par in the £6.6million season-ending DP World Tour Championship.
-
European TourOpen champion Collin Morikawa determined to take chances in Race to Dubai bid
Morikawa had the chance to top the Order of Merit by winning last year’s DP World Tour Championship.
-
European TourRory McIlroy unlikely to change schedule despite new-look European Tour
The European Tour will be known as the DP World Tour from the 2022 season but Florida-based McIlroy will continue to focus on the PGA Tour.
-
European TourPunter’s pointers at the DP World Tour Championship: Course and desert specialists to the fore
It’s the final week of the 2021 European Tour season and the best 50 players of the season are convening at Jumeirah’s Earth Course.
-
European TourJB Hansen wins AVIV Dubai Championship to claim second European Tour title
The Dane finished a shot clear of Italy’s Francesco Laporta and Austria’s Bernd Wiesberger.
-
European TourHalfway leader Antoine Rozner vows to ‘stay aggressive’ at Dubai Championship
The Frenchman is on 15 under par, one shot ahead of JB Hansen and Francesco Laporta.
-
European TourTommy Fleetwood happy with ‘good round’ in Dubai
Fleetwood carded eight birdies and two bogeys in a six-under-par 66.
-
European TourEuropean Tour rebrand ‘such a positive boost’ for golf, says Stephen Gallacher
The European Tour will be known as the DP World Tour from next season.
-
European TourEuropean Tour rebrand hailed as ‘momentous’ and ‘a new era in global golf’
The European Tour will be known as the DP World Tour from the 2022 and will have record prize money.
-
European TourSnakes and ladders: AVIV Dubai Championship is the last regular European Tour event of 2021 season
The Fire Course at Jumeirah hosts a week that will provide joy for a few and disappointment for many.