Ryder Cup skipper Darren Clarke buzzing as Henrik Stenson joins Danny Willett on this year’s list of Europe’s Major champ
Northern Irishman believes it could get even better for his men before the eagerly-awaited September showpiece against USA
DARREN CLARKE is buzzing at fielding two Major champions in September’s Ryder Cup — and believes it could get even better.
Europe’s captain welcomed newly-crowned Open champion Henrik Stenson to golf’s most exclusive club after his stunning three-shot win over Phil Mickelson.
The Swede, 40, is now guaranteed a place in the team for Hazeltine along with Masters champion Danny Willett.
And Clarke is delighted at the way things are shaping up.
He said: “Henrik’s win means Europe will head to the Ryder Cup with at least two current Major winners — and after next week’s USPGA I won’t be surprised if it’s three.
“Henrik and others showed at Royal Troon just how strong European golf is.
“That was one of the most incredible duels ever seen and one of the most amazing rounds ever by Henrik.
“I couldn’t be more pleased for him. To pull off all those amazing shots under pressure was simply unbelievable.”
The USPGA at Baltursol is the last chance for Europeans to make a big move before qualifying ends on August 28.
There are only a few minor European Tour events, offering precious few qualifying points, either side of the final Major of the year.
Sergio Garcia is another near-certainty to make the team, while fellow Spaniard Rafa Cabrera-Bello and world No 11 Justin Rose also look safe.
That leaves the English trio of Chris Wood, Andy Sullivan and Matt Fitzpatrick — all rookies — looking most vulnerable.
Soren Kjeldsen, Victor Dubuisson, Lee Westwood and Thorbjorn Olesen would either need to finish in the top three next week or mop up a lesser qualifying tournament to make it.
Clarke, 47, is expected to lean heavily on experience when he names his three wild cards next month.
Westwood is a shoo-in for a tenth European outing and not just because he is one of Clarke’s biggest pals.
Martin Kaymer, who holed the winning putt to complete the Miracle at Medinah in 2012, is another who has hit form at the right time.
But experienced campaigners such as Graeme McDowell and Luke Donald have not exactly been pulling up trees and Ian Poulter is out injured.
Even though the European captain would be reluctant to pick a sixth rookie, he could gamble on US-based Scotsman Russell Knox, who won a World Golf Championship in October.