European Ryder Cup captain Darren Clarke has named his three captain’s picks for the team event against USA, with Lee Westwood, Martin Kaymer and Thomas Pieters getting the nod.
Ryder Cup veteran Westwood will be making his 10th appearance in the biennial event, after making his debut at Valderrama Golf Club in 1997.
Clarke, who played alongside the Englishman at five Ryder Cups, believes his former team-mate’s experience could prove crucial at Hazeltine National Golf Club, when the action gets underway on September 30.
“Westwood is one of the most experienced Ryder Cuppers of all-time. He has played well this year and week in, week out has been very, very solid,” Clarke said.
Two-time major winner Kaymer will also add experience to the group and he has never been on a losing side at a Ryder Cup, forming part of the victorious teams in 2010, 2012 and 2014.
The German has also returned to form at the right time, securing six top-10 finishes in his last 12 events, and Clarke had no hesitation in including him in the team.
Clarke continued: “Martin Kaymer has had six top-10s in his recent events and is somewhat of a Ryder Cup stalwart.”
Belgian rookie Pieters will be playing at his first Ryder Cup, but he has been rewarded for some superb form on the European Tour, finishing in the top four at his last three events, including a victory at last weekend’s Made In Denmark, his third Tour win in little over 12 months.
The skipper continued: “Last week I played with him, as I’ve done many times over the qualification period. When he teed off on Thursday morning he knew exactly why I was playing with him.
“Prior to that there were a few other contenders, but Thomas went out and played unbelievably.”
The trio will join Rory McIlroy, Danny Willett, Henrik Stenson, Chris Wood, Sergio Garcia, Rafael Cabrera-Bello, Justin Rose, Andy Sullivan and Matthew Fitzpatrick in Europe’s side to take on the USA in the prestigious event.
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