01:11 PM BST
Robert MacIntyre on the prospect of playing in his first Ryder Cup
I am so excited. It’s been a tough qualifying campaign, but I am pleased with the way I have dealt with the challenge and to have earned one of the six automatic spots.
I’ve worked hard to play in the Ryder Cup, but now it’s important that we go on and win it.
MacIntyre is an aggressive birdie-chaser, if a little prone to errancy off the tee. I suspect we will see the Scot in the fourballs where he can play his natural game.
01:01 PM BST
A reminder of Zach Johnson’s picks
Sam Burns
Rickie Fowler
Brooks Koepka
Collin Morikawa
Jordan Spieth
Justin Thomas
They join Scottie Scheffler, Wyndham Clark, Brian Harman, Patrick Cantlay, Max Homa and Xander Schauffele in the American side. It is widely accepted that Johnson has prioritised popularity and chemistry within the teamroom over recent performances. Justin Thomas has been horribly out of nick this summer, but Johnson will hope a reprisal of his partnership with close friend Jordan Spieth can spark a revival.
12:55 PM BST
Inside the mind of Donald
Giving a player the bad news that they have not made the Ryder Cup team is a difficult job, and Donald knows all about the disappointment having been overlooked by captain Paul McGinley in 2014. As James Corrigan writes here, Donald may seem affable but has a ruthless streak which should serve him well as Europe’s skipper in Rome.
They hugged and they drank and they vowed to defend their crown 12 months later in the Algarve. Then Donald dropped Casey.
12:46 PM BST
Richard Bland is not happy with Donald’s (rumoured) picks
The Englishman, who plies his trade with LIV Golf now, wrote on Instagram that Adrian Meronk deserves a pick from Donald instead of Lowry.
Bland said: “Hearing Adrian Meronk not getting picked.
“Wins Italian Open at the Ryder Cup course. Third in DP World Tour rankings!
“Deserves a pick over an out of form Shane Lowry in my opinion.”
12:39 PM BST
Will Donald select man in form Ludvig Aberg?
Good afternoon and welcome to our live coverage of Europe’s Ryder Cup team announcement as Luke Donald names his six captain’s picks for Rome.
The question on everyone’s lips is whether Swedish youngster Ludvig Aberg will get the nod following his victory at the European Masters at Crans. The 23-year-old would be one of the most inexperienced rookies to be picked for the Ryder Cup, only turning professional in May this year. Aberg looks a stellar talent though, and has three top-20 finishes as well as a win in nine tournament starts.
Aberg ranks 60th and 58th in the European Points and World Points list respectively, so his selection could be controversial given it would come at the expense of a player who has featured more prominently in the standings throughout the qualification process. The likes of Yannik Paul or Adrian Meronk could be vulnerable. Aberg is the man in form though, and his excellent driving could be an important asset at the Marco Simone Country Club.
“I figured a win would put me in a good position (for the Ryder Cup) but honestly I’ve been doing a pretty good job of not thinking about it too much,” Aberg said after his win in Switzerland on Sunday.
Tommy Fleetwood and Shane Lowry are certainties to join Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Robert MacIntyre, Viktor Hovland, Tyrrell Hatton and Matt Fitzpatrick on Europe’s team. Justin Rose and Sepp Straka are also in the frame for a pick from Donald, who has considerable power to shape his team. Previous renewals of the Ryder Cup gave the team captains just two picks to add to 10 automatic starters, now Donald and USA captain Zach Johnson have six each.
Europe’s team has a stronger look than many were predicting a year ago, as they look to avoid a repeat of their 2021 drubbing at Whistling Straits. The Americans have not won a Ryder Cup on European soil since 1993 at the Belfry.
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