The Friday Cut: Donald’s changing of the guard, Meronk and the rise of Aberg
Luke Donald, Captain of Team Europe poses for a photo during the Luke Donald Ryder Cup Wildcard Announcement at Sky Sports Studios on September 04, 2023 in Isleworth, England. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
Welcome to ‘The Friday Cut’, your weekly round-up of the top stories across the professional tours.
Well, there you have it. Luke Donald has named his captains picks, and we now have confirmed line-ups for both the Ryder Cup and the Solheim Cup. In a week where some will feel disappointed, some will feel very lucky and a certain Northern Irishman is still feeling his back, here are the headlines that have made the cut.
Captain Donald rallies the troops
Despite waiting patiently by the phone, Luke never called. No longer in my prime, I am convinced my Ryder Cup dream may now be over - but man am I excited to see this European Team. The buzz created by Donald’s selections, with a clear changing of the guard and some top young players, was palpable on social media as we desperately try to find a way to beat a strong USA side.
You could be forgiven for assuming that the European Team is split into elite talent and rising stars, but that just isn’t the case. There is depth in this team. Major champions Matt Fitzpatrick, Shane Lowry and the returning Justin Rose bring invaluable experience, while Tommy Fleetwood and Tyrrell Hatton can also hold their own against anyone in the world.
Sepp Straka is rightly rewarded with selection for his PGA Tour performances this season, while Nicolai Højgaard and Ludvig Aberg have the feel of real wildcard picks with so much potential. The rise of Bob MacIntyre over recent years has been wonderful to watch, and I can see him taking over the ‘Poulter’ mantle - rallying the crowds at clutch moments in the event. Bring on the Scottish chest-thumping roar!
Adrian Meronk - the unlucky 13th man
Enter the unluckiest man in golf.
Adrian Meronk arrived to defend his Irish Open title this week, one of three wins in the last 15 months, feeling “shocked, sad and angry” after not making the European Ryder Cup team. Despite winning the Italian Open at the Marco Simone Golf Club, this year’s host venue for the Ryder Cup, Meronk narrowly missed out on automatic qualification and did not receive a captain’s pick from Luke Donald.
With Donald also teeing it up at the K Club this week, I am sure there won’t be any awkwardness on the range. Early prediction, Meronk wins the Irish Open.
Beware the injured McIlroy
The last thing Team Europe needs before facing an incredibly strong US opposition is their poster-boy Rory McIlroy arriving in Rome with an injury. But despite his on-going struggles with a back problem, the Northern Irishman has calmed the nerves of fans by suggesting he will be “absolutely fine” as he prepares for the Ryder Cup.
Preparing for the Irish Open, McIlroy stated “it’s 90 per cent, 95 per cent. It’s not a hundred percent better”. With the BMW PGA Championship still to come before Rome, McIlroy has plenty of time to test himself, and I already worry for any calibre of opposition should he creep closer to full fitness.
A brace of maiden wins
Maiden wins are like buses… well you know the rest. A first DP World Tour win for Ludvig Aberg at the Omega European Masters last week helped him to secure his Ryder Cup spot, and confirm the hype that has been building around him for some time. Four birdies in the closing five holes was enough for the Swedish Star, holding off compatriot Alexander Bjork and new Ryder Cup team-mate Matt Fitzpatrick.
On the LPGA Tour, an impressive 26-under-par win for Thailand’s Chanettee Wannasaen obliterated the tournament scoring record. Oh, and by the way, she is a 19-year-old Monday Qualifier - becoming just the third qualifier to win on tour. A closing nine-under-par 63 was enough for the 367th ranked player to secure a four shot victory over Xiyu Lin in her rookie season.
Really puts my ‘NR’ in last week’s Saturday Medal into perspective.
Coming up this weekend…
The DP World Tour rolls on to the Irish Open this week, at the K Club, with a stellar field including Ryder Cup stars Rory McIlroy and Tyrrell Hatton at the top of the market.
On the LPGA Tour, we head to the Kroger Queen City Championship. After a record-breaking week in Portland, this is sure to be another cracker, with a strong field teeing it up at Kenwood Country Club.
