While the vast majority of Luke Donald’s Ryder Cup six wildcard selections picked themselves, Europe’s skipper has ensured he will lead a balanced team in the quest to win back the trophy in Italy.
The youthful verve of 23-year-old Swedish sensation Ludvig Aberg and Denmark’s Nicolai Hojgaard, 22, is counterbalanced by the canny knowhow of Justin Rose and Shane Lowry.
Tommy Fleetwood was always going to be in the side and likewise Sepp Straka after the Austrian’s runner-up finish at The Open last July. They complement powerhouse figures such as 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 cuts at the US and Scottish Opens as well as The Open at Hoylake.
The Englishman said he has proved he is Ryder Cup ready but knows he needs to be “Ryder Cup-winning ready” for what will be his sixth appearance.
“It’s really the start of the mission,” Rose said. “I’ve always really tried to, and enjoyed, the process of trying to prepare for major championships, trying to peak at the right time and that’s my challenge now.
“As a player, it’s just what can I do over the course of the next three weeks to be winning point ready. Just to go out and put myself with the best opportunity to win a point, which is why you’re on the team.”
Happily, from a European point of view, Rose usually delivers when wearing European colours. He boasts an enviable record of 13 wins, eight defeats and two halves in his five appearances to date.
He has been particularly impressive in fourball play and, after being left out of the 2021 defeat, could prove a valuable foil for one of the four rookies included in the European team when play gets under way on 29 September at the Marco Simone Country Club near Rome.
Lowry’s Ryder Cup experience is more limited. He made a passionate debut at Whistling Straits two years ago but posted only one point out of a possible three as the United States romped to their record 19-9 victory.
The 36-year-old has struggled on the greens for much of this year, but sometimes matchplay – where often there is less concern over a potential follow-up putt – can unlock a freer and more effective stroke.
Donald insists that Wisconsin defeat means his team should be considered underdogs, never mind that they are unbeaten at home for the past three decades.
And in Aberg he has what he describes as a “generational talent” at his disposal. A prodigious hitter, the Swede seems to have that X-factor of being able to seize the moment when most needed.