Ryder Cup Picks...

The Ryder Cup wildcard debate has been stirring for weeks and in typical Nick Faldo style his choice caused uproar within golfing circles. I personally think given Nick's status in the game his decision should be universally accepted. He's a six-time Major winner and the greatest golfer ever to emerge from the British Isles, you would hope this impressive CV would spare him questions on his judgment. Although the European team lacks experience with rookie's in the shape of Rose, Hansen, McDowell and Wilson its safe to say the backbone of Garcia, Harrington, Westwood and Jimenez are more than capable of carrying European hopes and expectations on their shoulders. A point should be made as well that despite the youth of Rose, Hansen, McDowell and Wilson their past experience will stand them in fantastic stead. Rose for example is blooming (sorry - couldn't resist it) into one of Europe's major players with impressive finishes throughout 2007 and 2008, plus playing in the Walker Cup in America as a 17 year old is as good breeding ground for Ryder Cup experience. Hansen is one of Europe's most consistent performers with a steady if unspectacular game which will be very useful in grinding out points in foursomes and fourball matches. McDowell has become a serial winner on the European Tour, although his "purple patch" of form including his win in the Scottish Open was in July, his performances have been amongst the best of any European in 2008. I actually have great expectation for Oliver Wilson, a relative unknown on the US Tour who was once ranked as number 1 US Collegiate golfer during his time at Augusta State, his stand-out Amateur career which is a combination of match-play and strokeplay should ensure he performs beyond his years for this his first ever Ryder Cup.