The Ryder Cup is just weeks away now and things are hotting up in terms of media duties for both Team USA and Team Europe.
Luke Donald has named his six captain’s picks and he will now go head to head with Keegan Bradley as he looks to win on American soil and go back to back.
For Donald, there were only a few headaches really and in the main, the 12 selected caused very little surprise.
The only real tricky spot for Donald was whether he stuck with Matt Fitzpatrick or went for a wildcard option like a Matt Wallace or a Harry Hall.
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In the end, Fitzpatrick’s experience and quality won out and for Team USA, it means they know very well what’s facing them come the end of September.
Now, US Vice-captain Webb Simpson has had his say on the European squad.
Webb Simpson gives verdict on Team Europe’s Ryder Cup squad
Webb Simpson will be hoping to use his experience to help Keegan Bradley and he’ll be one of the key components in the USA team if they are to win.
Having good vice-captains is vital and Simpson will know full well he has pressures of his own on him.
Indeed, he seems to be well clued up on the Europeans already, as he gave his verdict on Luke Donald’s team on the Bible Caddie Podcast.
“No surprises here. I think the only… Matt Wallace had a pretty solid year. He barely missed out. Then there’s Harry Hall, who I think led the birdie count on the PGA Tour this year. I think he finished the year number one in strokes gained putting, so he is Europe’s stroke greatest putter,” Simpson said.
“He was right there and made it to Atlanta for his first Tour Championship. But if I was in Luke’s mind I do think it came down to Matt Fitzpatrick or Harry Hall and there is so much to weigh when it comes to experience and venue. Bethpage is a tough environment.”
“Fitzy has won a major, he has been to multiple Ryder Cups. No surprise on Ludvig, Viktor, Shane, Jon and Sepp. Sepp had a great year. I think Luke probably wanted Matty to come in having that experience and being a veteran of sorts, so they have a great team.”
Team USA know they have to be at their best to win the Ryder Cup
While Team USA have a number of fresh faces in the likes of Russell Henley and Cameron Young, for Team Europe, it’s more or less business as usual.
Captain Donald has gone with experience and quality, knowing full well the perils of Bethpage that await.
This all means that Team USA will need to be at their best to win. There will be battle scars from 2023 in Rome and the players who played that event will know the Europeans can get the better of them.
Nevertheless, the freshness of the US team and Bradley’s own infectious character and positive outlook could be a big factor too.
All in all, we’re in for quite the Ryder Cup!
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