European Ryder Team Finalized
Colin Montgomerie has finally chosen Padraig Harrington, Luke Donald and Edoardo Molinari as his three final wildcards, with the highly anticipated and prestigious Ryder cup fast approaching and scheduled to be held from October 1st to 3rd at Celtic Manor in Wales.
The Italian, Molinari was able to influence Montgomerie after his victory at the Johnnie Walker championship and hence preceded Paul Casey and Justin Rose. He will play in partnership with his brother Francesco. After Molinari, Peter Hanson and Migel Angel Jimenez finished at the last two sufficing places. Lee Westwood, Rory McIlroy, Martin Kaymer, Graeme McDowell, Ian Poulter, Ross Fisher and Francesco Molinari possessed the top seven spots in the Ryder cup rankings and hence qualified as a matter of course.
Five of the players chosen will be playing Ryder cup for their first time. They include McIlroy, Kaymer, Fisher, Hanson and both Molinaris. According to Monty, Edoardo Molinari didn’t have to win in order to be chosen for the Ryder cup. He had already been elevated enough subsequent to his win at the 2009 World cup when he birdied the last three holes and remarkably won against the Australian Brett Rumford. "In my time as a player on the European Tour, I don't think I've seen a finish of that quality under pressure by anyone anywhere," said Montgomerie about Molinari.
The Molinari brothers, who were also successful at the world cup in China, will be the first brothers to participate in the Ryder cup after Bernard and Geoff Hunt had represented Britain in 1963. After Montgomerie told Edoardo how proud he was of him, Eduardo thanked him and showed his enthusiasm by saying he can’t wait to be in Wales. Also, he got very sentimental while mentioning that it would be something very special to be playing side by side with his brother.
Adding Edoardo in the team meant a bummer for the British players Paul Casey and Justin Rose, who are playing in the final round of the Barclays. Montgomerie said that he had already told Rose, who has won the US tour this season two times, about who he was going to pick for the Ryder cup. However, Rose would still be in Monty’s mind since he will be playing if Westwood doesn’t recover from his calf injury. Rose doesn’t blame anyone but himself for missing the cut. He told the media that he had an awesome three out of four record and a remarkable natural partner-Ian Poulter.
On the other hand, the European captain didn’t personally inform Casey who found out the bad news during his round in New Jersey. Reacting to it, Casey said that he needs to take time and accept this fact, he tried his hardest but he can’t really do anything about it now. Meanwhile, Harrington said in his comments, "It was an odd occasion. On one hand, I'm happy for myself, but I did genuinely feel sorry for Paul." Even Montgomerie said that he doesn’t feel too pleasant about not picking Casey and Rose. His reason for picking Harrington was that he triumphant in his three majors during the last two years.
Another wildcard pick, Luke Donald is someone who can finish in foursomes and four ball golf. He has participated in seven Ryder games and only lost once. In 2008, he couldn’t make the cut due to a wrist injury discovered. Also in Ryder cup is not a very fit Spanish golfer- Sergio Garcia, he has participated in all the Ryder cups since 1999 as Monty’s fourth vice captain.
So now the European team is finalized and all eyes are on the other Captain Corey Pavin to announce his American team which he will on September 7th.
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