We've been witnesses to a so-called golden generation of golfers on this island, what with nine major titles annexed by four different Irish players in the past decade. Now comes the reality check. With just one Irish player – Rory McIlroy – in Europe's team for the defence of the Ryder Cup at Hazeltine next month, perhaps a reconfiguration of the precious element has taken place right under our noses. How pure is the gold these days?
You have to go back to 1997 to find the last European team so devoid of Irish players. Ironically enough, on that occasion, it was Darren Clarke – this year's captain – who was the lone standard-bearer at Valderrama and, even then, his was a disgruntled role as the then captain, Seve Ballesteros, left the Northern Irishman largely unused. Clarke, a rookie, only played two matches over the three days.
Since then, however, Irish players have been a mainstay of teams with no fewer than three representatives in 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2010 (all victories) and two representatives on teams in 1999, 2008 (both defeats), 2012 and 2014 (wins). In what has been the dominant period of European success in the competition, Irish players have played key roles. They’ve been indispensable, even. Paul McGinley at The Belfry in 2002; Clarke at The K Club in 2006; G-Mac at Celtic Manor in 2010.
But now you have to wonder if the straight and narrow road will be found again.
McIlroy looks set to be a main cog in the wheel of European teams going forward but Graeme McDowell’s failure to maintain his sequence of four straight appearances would indicate his lustre is fading, and Shane Lowry’s bid to make the team was hugely disappointing in the end.
Failing to kick on from his US Open runner-up finish, his poor run of form after Oakmont seemed to carry the weight of making the Ryder Cup team; and that’s a lesson that will have to be learned if he is to make it to Paris in 2018.
Done deals
Interestingly – and despite Lowry’s decision to add extra tournaments to his itinerary in recent weeks in order to make the team, which had the additional effect of ultimately costing him any appearances in the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup playoffs – there was no mention from Clarke at the “wild card” announcements that Lowry was in the frame for a pick.
Clarke’s first two picks were done deals. Lee Westwood – whom he likened to a “general” in the team room – was always destined to get the nod, and so too Martin Kaymer who contended frequently through the summer in claiming six top-10s in his last 10 tournaments.
“Lee and Martin were obvious choices to me,” said Clarke, adding: “In Lee and Martin, I have two former number ones in the world, and they bring a wealth of experience to the team. It’s not just about the playing; it’s about the team room and the dynamics and everything that’s involved.”
The real question was who the number three pick would be, and it came down to a choice between one potential rookie and another: Thomas Pieters and Russell Knox.
In fact, Clarke made mention of four players who were in the running for that third pick. Apart from Pieters, the chosen one, and Knox, the fall guy, McDowell and Luke Donald were also considered for their “experience”. But neither McDowell nor Donald had done enough to earn a vote. “They haven’t been on top of their own games, which I’m sure they’ll readily admit,” said Clarke.
McDowell admitted to being “gutted” at failing to make the team, adding: “Sitting out will give me the drive and motivation I need to play more (Ryder Cups).”
Lowry, we now know, really had to play his way into the team and that proved beyond him.
Toughest call
Clarke described the phone call to Knox – world ranked 20th and with two wins in the past year, the HSBC Champions and more recently the Travelers championship – as the toughest he had to make.
“He’s played unbelievably well during the qualification period. Some people will say he deserves [A)]position on the team,” he said.
Yet, there was evidence too that Clarke had been swayed by those who support the PGA European Tour. Neither Westwood nor Kaymer are members of the PGA Tour and Pieters – although with aspirations of a PGA Tour card – did his work at the coalface on the European Tour in the Czech Masters (finishing runner-up) and the Made in Denmark tournament (winning) in his late charge to be the form man at the right time.
Whilst Pieters played to the wire in his bid to make the team, Knox had taken a decision to take an ill-timed break which probably put a question mark over his true desire. After being informed that he wouldn’t be getting a ‘wild card’ pick, Knox said: “I barely spoke to anyone on the European Tour. Ultimately, I had that going against me.”
So, Clarke revealed his hand, going with loyalty and experience with Westwood and Kaymer; but he has also showed a hard edge in adding Pieters, making it six rookies on his team.
And, from an Irish perspective, given us something of a reality check with just McIlroy on the 12-man team.
