WATCH - Best moments of Europe's Ryder Cup team

Sport360 staff 01:52 31/08/2016
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  • The 2016 European Ryder Cup team was announced in full on Tuesday with captain Darren Clarke selecting Lee Westwood, Martin Kaymer and Thomas Pieters as his three wildcards for next month’s defence of the trophy at Hazeltine.

    Here, we take a look at some of the best moments featuring each of the 12 members of the European team.

    RORY MCILROY (NORTHERN IRELAND)

    World Ranking: 5

    Ryder Cup Record (overall score): 6-4-4

    Rory McIlroy may have underperformed in 2016 but he has Ryder Cup pedigree. The Northern Irishman teamed up with compatriot Graeme McDowell to take the first point of the 2012 Ryder Cup at Medina Country Club in Chicago, IL. One chip that he had on four really stood out and capped off a solid morning round for the two Europeans.

    DANNY WILLETT (ENGLAND)

    World Ranking: 11

    Ryder Cup Record (overall score): N/A

    It’s been a great year for Danny Willett, who followed up his Dubai Desert Classic win in January with victory at The Masters to claim his first Major. At Augusta this year, the Ryder Cup rookie saw his excellent form come to fruition.

    HENRIK STENSON (SWEDEN)

    World Ranking: 4

    Ryder Cup Record (overall score): 5-4-2

    A three-time winner in Dubai (once at the Desert Classic and twice at the DP World Championship), Stenson sunk the winning putt for Team Europe on his debut in the 2006 Ryder Cup. It doesn’t get much better than that.

    CHRIS WOOD (ENGLAND)

    World Ranking: 28

    Ryder Cup Record (overall score):N/A

    Chris Wood rose to prominence in the 2008 Open while still an amateur and has come a long way since. His Ryder Cup place was no doubt secured by his triumph in the BMW PGA Championship in May where he hit a hole-in-one on hole 14 on Day Four.

    ANDY SULLIVAN (ENGLAND)

    World Ranking: 42

    Ryder Cup Record (overall score): N/A

    Having been a part of the triumphant Walker Cup team in 2011, Sullivan won his first two European titles before Ryder Cup qualifying started, but then added the Portugal Masters in October last year and pushed McIlroy all the way at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.

    Sullivan’s walk-off eagle on the 18th hole at the 100th Open de France was a real high point given that the 471-yard hole was named the toughest on Tour in 2015, outside of the Majors.

    MATTHEW FITZPATRICK (ENGLAND)

    World Ranking: 48

    Ryder Cup Record (overall score): N/A

    Fitzpatrick won his maiden European title in the British Masters last October but suffered a loss of form after winning the Nordea Masters in June. He shot a four-under-par 68 to take a five-stroke lead into the final round of the Nordea Masters in Sweden.

    RAFA CABRERA BELLO (SPAIN)

    World Ranking: 27

    Ryder Cup Record (overall score): N/A

    A highly consistent season which included back-to-back runners-ups at Qatar and Dubai probably secured his place. In the second round of the 2016 World Golf Championships – Dell Match Play, Rafa Cabrera Bello won his match with a 72-foot birdie putt from the fringe on the par-4 15th hole.

    SERGIO GARCIA (SPAIN)

    World Ranking: 12

    Ryder Cup Record (overall score): 18-9-5

    With seven caps to his name, Sergio Garcia has plenty of Ryder Cup pedigree. One of his best moments in the competition came two years ago. Rory McIlroy holed a 45 foot putt to keep the match alive before Sergio hit a wonder shot out of the rough on the 18th.

    JUSTIN ROSE (ENGLAND)

    World Ranking: 10

    Ryder Cup Record (overall score): 9-3-2

    Justin Rose played all five matches at Medinah in 2012 and again in 2014, finishing unbeaten and as Europe’s top scorer. He claimed gold in the Olympics in Rio as well after a thrilling battle with Stenson. One of his best moments in the competition came on the final day of the 2014 Ryder Cup at the 13th hole.

    LEE WESTWOOD (ENGLAND)

    World Ranking: 46

    Ryder Cup Record (overall score): 20-15-6

    Boasts vast experience and always expected to be selected by good friend Darren Clarke if he failed to qualify. Did need to show some form to justify his place and was second in the Masters. In the second round of the 2014 CIMB Classic, Lee Westwood aced the par-3 11th hole.

    THOMAS PIETERS (BELGIUM)

    World Ranking: 41

    Ryder Cup Record (overall score): N/A

    Discovered his best form at the right time by finishing fourth in the Olympics, second in his defence of the Czech Masters and then winning the final qualifying event in Denmark. The Belgian’s big hitting will be an advantage at Hazeltine. He produced a brilliant finish to claim his third European Tour title in the Made in Denmark event earlier this year.

    MARTIN KAYMER (GERMANY)

    World Ranking: 50

    Ryder Cup Record (overall score): 4-3-3

    Admitted his form was so poor he would not have picked himself in 2012, but qualified automatically and ended up securing the winning point. Won both the Players and US Open by leading from start to finish in 2014. Here’s that famous putt to retain the Ryder Cup for Europe in 2012.

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