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Europe skip Clarke adds to Ryder Cup team

Europe captain Darren Clarke has added to his Ryder Cup team, with Thomas Pieters, Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer announced as wildcard picks.

Belgian rookie Thomas Pieters and experienced duo Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer were named by Europe captain Darren Clarke as wildcard picks on Tuesday to complete his Ryder Cup team.

Clarke opted for the powerful 24-year-old Pieters over Scotland's Russell Knox and England's Luke Donald, bringing to six the number of rookies in the 12-man team who will defend the trophy against the United States in Hazeltine, Minnesota.

Englishman Westwood, the former world No.1, first played in the biennial team event in 1997 and will be representing Europe for the 10th successive time.

Twice major winner Kaymer of Germany has featured in the past three Ryder Cups, all won by Europe.

Belgium's Pieters has produced excellent form this month. He won the Made In Denmark event, was runner-up at the Czech Masters and finished fourth in the Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

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Europe's nine automatic picks were confirmed earlier this month.

Danny Willett, Chris Wood, Rafael Cabrera-Bello, Andy Sullivan and Matt Fitzpatrick will also be new to the tournament. The other automatic selections, Rory McIlroy, Henrik Stenson, Sergio Garcia and Justin Rose, have all experienced the Ryder Cup before.

Europe are out to win the Ryder Cup for the ninth time in 11 editions, when the competition starts at Hazeltine National Golf Club on September 30.

American captain Davis Love will name three of his wildcard selections a week on Sunday, with his final pick not being announced until five days before the tournament begins.


2 min read

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Source: AAP



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