After many golf writers declared Darren Clarke a lock for this year's Ryder Cup, captain Nick Faldo caught many off guard by selecting both Ian Poulter and Paul Casey as captain's picks. Both Englishmen missed the cut this week at the Deutsche Bank Championship and haven't won a tournament this year. Clarke, on the other hand, has been on a tear, winning twice. More as it comes later tonight...
With Darren Clarke's win earlier today at the Dutch Open, several golf writers are already predicting that he is a sure thing for Nick Faldo's Ryder Cup team. Tim Rosaforte of Golf World said on Sunday night's edition of Golf Central that he is a "virtual lock at this point." And James Corrigan writes in tomorrow's Independent:
As one of the finest ball-strikers in the game, the timing of Darren Clarke has never been in doubt. And after yesterday's emphatic win at the Dutch Open it will go on being unquestioned for some time. Almost certainly by a Mr Faldo.
The Europe Ryder Cup captain could not have failed to be impressed by the Ulsterman's return to the winner's enclosure, just one week before he is due to announce his two wild cards for the match in Kentucky next month. While it is still possible for Clarke to move into the automatic qualifying positions with victory at the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles this week, he has probably earned his place anyway.
According to Reuters, "Darren Clarke has condemned the decision to stage the 2014 Ryder Cup on the Centenary course at Gleneagles, the venue for this week's Johnnie Walker Championship." Clarke played the Jack Nicklaus designed course on Thursday and called it an "American-style" course. Clarke told Reuters, "I think it is unbelievable they [the Ryder Cup committee] have chosen this course to stage the 2014 match." Clarke said he still supports Gleneagles hosting the match, but only if it is played at one of the other courses.
