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Lee Westwood believes Europe's six rookies ready for Ryder Cup

By Ali Stafford

Wednesday 31 August 2016 13:13, UK

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Lee Westwood has been selected for a tenth consecutive European Ryder Cup appearance

Lee Westwood expects a tough test for Europe's Ryder Cup side at Hazeltine, but is confident the young team will be ready for anything as they look for a fourth consecutive victory.

Europe's line-up contains six rookies for the first time since Celtic Manor in 2010 and the most for an away tie since seven played at Brookline in 1999, after Darren Clarke named Thomas Pieters alongside Westwood and Martin Kaymer as his captain's picks on Tuesday. 

Image: Westwood and Kaymer were given wildcards by Clarke

Five of the newcomers came through automatic qualifying, with Pieters added to the list after following a string of impressive of results by winning the Made In Denmark.

Although half of the European team lack any kind of Ryder Cup experience, Westwood, making a 10th consecutive appearance, has no concerns about the strength of Clarke's team.

"Let's make no bones about it, I think it will be tough," Westwood said. "It's difficult to be a rookie on home soil when you have the crowd cheering for you, but to be a rookie in the States and be up against it, the crowd as well as the team, it's a little extra.

28 Sep 1997: European team members Lee Westwood and Darren Clarke celebrate with the trophy after victory over the USA in the Johnnie Walker Ryder Cup at
Image: Clarke (R) was also a rookie when Westwood made his first Ryder Cup appearance in 1997

"But I look at our rookies and I see them not as rookies. There's a lot of experience there and I look at a lot of the players' characters and I think they can take it, they can take a fight and a bit of stick.

"So I'm still very positive. I think we've got some world-class players."

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Masters champion Danny Willett and three-time European Tour winner Andy Sullivan will also make maiden appearances, with BMW PGA winner Chris Wood, former US Amateur champion Matt Fitzpatrick and Spain's Rafa Cabrera Bello completing the set of first-timers.

PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 30: Matthew Fitzpatrick of England and Andy Sullivan of England looks on during day one of the 100th Open de France at Le Golf Natio
Image: Matt Fitzpatrick (L) and Andy Sullivan were the last two automatic qualifiers

The hosts are favourites to lift the trophy for the first time since victory at Valhalla in 2008, but Westwood feels the European side can pose the USA problems.

"I think it's going to be a very close contest," Westwood added. "Obviously the crowd will be on their (American) side but we've come up against that before.

"I think we're, you know, ready to give our all, and like Darren said, he's got a very strong side and he's got a lot of options for partnerships."

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