Tyrrell Hatton is among five rookies in the European team for this week’s Ryder Cup.
Tommy Fleetwood, Jon Rahm, Alexander Noren and Thorbjorn Olesen are the others. He is the only player in the side without a top-10 finish at Le Golf National.
“It is a dream come true. You watch the Ryder Cup as a kid and you want to be there when you grow up so to make the team you feel very honoured – it’s a fantastic team. This week, if I can keep my head that will give me the best chance to play as well as I can and hopefully that gets rewarded with some points for Europe,” said Hatton.
European captain Thomas Bjorn paired Sergio Garcia, Henrik Stenson, FedEx Cup winner Justin Rose and Noren in the first practice group earlier this week. Rory McIlroy, Paul Casey, Olesen and Rahm followed.
An indicator of things to come or mere experimentation from Bjorn? You decide.
“I’m pretty set in my mind where I want to go with this from the beginning, and over the two days with pairings things can change a lot, but I am pretty set in my mind,” said Bjorn.
“This is very much about getting everyone out there and enjoying themselves. They are all out there and getting their bearings and getting to know what the golf course is like this week.
“It doesn’t necessarily mean they will be paired together. I don’t feel like I’ve given anything away in what is happening out on the golf course here.”
History suggests that being bold and forming new duos is the right way to go for the Europeans, even if the Americans are favourites to lift the Ryder Cup. This Betway blog by Jack Green and infographic will reveal more.
Tiger Woods has many fans singing several praises. The latest in the long line of vocal supporters is Ian Poulter.
Poulter, like Woods, has weathered a career hampered by injury. Poulter, like Woods, will make a Ryder Cup return this week.
“There were definitely question marks when I was struggling a bit – and I looked to see where he has been. It is quite inspirational to see how good he’s come back. For the Ryder Cup, it is great and it is good to have Tiger playing the type of golf he is playing, because he makes the Ryder Cup even more special,” said Poulter.
“I’m rekindling the thoughts of all the previous times I’ve played and I’m pretty excited. It’s always a special week from a team perspective. I guess when you are at the low of lows, and that wasn’t that long ago, there’s a little voice in the back of your head that kind of says, ‘You might not get back to as good as you was’.
“It was difficult being vice-captain last time knowing how I’d helped the team in the past. This time around I felt I really wanted to make the team and felt if I worked hard, restructured things, I could definitely make this Ryder Cup team – which I have.”