While most of Luke Donald’s Ryder Cup six wildcard selections have chosen themselves, the European captain has ensured he will lead a balanced team in the bid to reclaim the trophy in Italy.
Tommy Fleetwood is always in the side and so is Sepp Straka after the Austrian’s runner-up finish at The Open in July. They added powerhouse figures like Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm and Viktor Hovland.
But the recent form of Lowry and Rose is a concern. The Irishman has not posted a top 10 since finishing fifth at the Honda Classic in February while Rose missed the cuts at the US and Scottish Opens as well as The Open at Hoylake.
The Englishman said he had proved he was ready for the Ryder Cup but knew he had to be “ready to win the Ryder Cup” for his sixth appearance.
“This is really the start of the mission,” Rose said. “I’ve always tried, and enjoyed, the process of trying to prepare for big championships, trying to peak at the right time and that’s my challenge now.
“As a player, what I can do in the next three weeks to prepare for victory. .”
Fortunately, from a European perspective, Rose usually delivers when wearing European colors. He boasts an impressive record of 13 wins, eight losses and two draws in his five appearances so far.
He was particularly impressive in fourball play and, after missing out on the 2021 defeat, could prove to be a valuable foil for one of the four rookies included in the European team when play begins on 29 September at the Marco Simone Country Club near Rome.
Lowry’s Ryder Cup experience is more limited. He made a spirited debut at Whistling Straits two years ago but posted just one point from a possible three as the United States cruised to a record 19-9 victory.
The 36-year-old has struggled on the greens for the most part this year, but sometimes the matchplay – where there is often little concern over a potential follow-up putt – can open up a freer and more effective stroke.
Donald insists that losing to Wisconsin means his team should be considered underdogs, never mind that they are undefeated at home in the last three decades.
And in Aberg he has what he describes as a “generational talent” at his disposal. An exceptional hitter, the Swede seems to have the X-factor to be able to seize the opportunity when needed.
His surge of victory at the European Masters on Sunday snatched his place in the team in a ruthless way. Stepping up to the Ryder Cup level after turning professional is an incredible level.
“He turned pro in June and it felt like we started talking about the Ryder Cup in July,” Rose said.
“So the fact that he has played almost 75% of his professional career with the pressure of trying to make a Ryder Cup team is very impressive.
“And then on the last day of the campaign, he made it a bit of a no-brainer for the captain.”
Aberg is the first player to play in the Ryder Cup with zero major experience. But everything about his career so far suggests he will be inspired rather than stifled by the gladiatorial cauldron of this biennial dust-up.
“These are events you want to be a part of,” Aberg said. “You want to get that shot; you want to get that putt to get a point.
“And I’m lucky to be part of these team events with amateur events, which are at a completely different level, and I understand that. I’m very excited to go to Rome.”
The golfing world should be equally thrilled to see such an amazing talent on the biggest stage for the first time. Aberg’s fellow rookies are Hojgaard, Straka and Bob MacIntyre.
The left-handed Scot came home on the qualifying table at the expense of Poland’s Adrian Meronk, who should have plenty of sympathy. Being so close to one of just six automatic spots and ultimately not playing the course where he won the Italian Open in May was a bitter pill to swallow.
MacIntyre brings infectious enthusiasm and attitude to the European team room and has the potential to make a great debut. He is popular among his teammates and many will welcome him as a fourball partner.
But in the end, a lot will depend on how the big guns perform. Rahm, McIlroy and Hovland are the leaders and 2022 US Open winner Matt Fitzpatrick will be looking to break his duck which has not been used much in his two appearances so far.
The bookmakers have the US as slight favorites but skipper Zach Johnson, who also has four rookies in his 12-man team, also wants to make use of the underdog status.
He will look for his side to follow the spike marks of the country’s amateurs, who staged a good comeback victory to retain the Walker Cup against Great Britain and Ireland at St Andrews last Sunday.
For the Ryder Cup, both teams look balanced and evenly matched. It could be a very close contest, something we haven’t seen since Europe’s one-point victory in the ‘Miracle of Medinah’ more than a decade ago.
