Tuesday 29 September 2015 08:12, UK
As the year-long qualification process to reach Europe's next Ryder Cup squad gets underway at this week's Russian Open, Nick Dougherty reveals the 12 players he predicts could feature in Darren Clarke's side at Hazeltine.
Justin Rose – He's been so consistent over the past few years and is always there or thereabouts in tournaments, so I think it's only a matter of time before he adds more majors to his belt. There's no doubt it my mind that he's going to make the team and will be one of the leading players.
Paul Casey – A resurgence in form has seen him perform extremely well and have two play-off losses on the PGA Tour. He's not coming back to Europe so will have to do it off the World Points List, but the way he's playing, he will. If he doesn't qualify, I think there's a good chance he could be a captain's pick as I just can't seem him missing out.
Rory McIlroy – This is a given as he will probably be world No 1 or thereabouts. Even if he's not in form, he's always going to be good enough to make the team. In the last one he went in as the main man, so it might be a good thing and shift a little bit of the pressure to the other side with Spieth so close.
Martin Kaymer – The fact he will be playing more over here in Europe this year will be good, as when he comes home you feel like he has a chance to win every time he tees it off. He has won majors in America but hasn't really seemed to gel week in, week out on the PGA Tour, so not having to focus on that should see him cruise in to the team.
"It would be nice to see some younger players feature and there might be someone not even on our radar that's going to light it up."
Henrik Stenson – He's another player in great form at the moment, and with such a big golf game he's just going to be in contention too many times to miss out. I've selected these five first because I just can't see any of them missing out – they're all too consistent. Whether they've had a good season or a bad season by their standards, they will still be on that team.
Danny Willett – I think he's going to push McIlroy all the way in the Race to Dubai after really breaking through this year. He'll still have work to do to make the team, but I feel that he will enjoy that challenge and probably raise his game to make the side without the need of a pick. He will be a brilliant Ryder Cup player as he has the emotion and the spirit that will fit well in the team.
Jamie Donaldson – I don't think the States necessarily agrees with him and he's more comfortable in Europe, where he will be back playing having lost his PGA Tour card. He hasn't achieved that much this year, but he's arguably one of the top few forces on the European Tour in recent years so I'm sure he'll make the team. Another potential captain's pick.
Shane Lowry – He's going to go from strength to strength after his breakthrough win at the Bridgestone and there's the potential for a great partnership between him and McIlroy. If he focuses on playing in Europe then I think he 100% makes the team because he's great in matchplay and likes being the underdog.
Lee Westwood – Because of his friendship with Darren Clarke and what he contributes to a team, I think he may be a pick. He is a strong head in the team room, a dominant figure that makes you feel secure and someone who knows what it's like to beat the USA. It's a big shout for him to qualify with how his form seems to be carrying, but he'd make a real contribution to the team.
Sergio Garcia – His game is still good enough to play in the Ryder Cup and he's fairly outspoken about what it means to beat the Americans, although he's going to have to show some real form again to get in through ranking. It's going to be a tough one for him as I'm not sure if he'd get a captain's pick, but he could still make a big contribution to the team.
Max Kieffer – He's just turning up and delivering performances, so will keep accumulating cash and doing everything well. Obviously he's an outsider, but if you put him in a team to play tomorrow then he would contribute. If you continue to put yourself in the mix like he and Tommy do time after time, they're going to make the side.
Tommy Fleetwood – What I like about him - as I do with Kieffer - is that you see them at the top end of the leaderboard nearly every single time they play. He needs to continue performing well, which is what he's doing on the European Tour. If he could go and get another win to go alongside his one at Gleneagles from a couple of years ago, the confidence boost will carry him through to the team.
Those who miss out…
Ian Poulter – What he has achieved in the Ryder Cup is nothing short of remarkable, so it blows me away how he raises his game for it. I have nothing but respect for him, but I don't think you can pick a man that's not in form. It didn't really work at Gleneagles, where he had some moments of magic, but I don't think it will happen again.
Graeme McDowell – His form isn't fantastic at the minute, but if he can turn that around then he'll more than likely make the team. I can only go on what I'm seeing now, where there doesn't seem to be any immediate sign of his current form changing right now. That could change though.
Bernd Wiesberger – I didn't really think too much about him when I picked my 12, but he's a really good player and someone who could make the team. He would have to make it through the points list though, as I shouldn't think he would get a captain's pick.
I think Lowry, Fleetwood, Willett and Kieffer could all light it up at the Ryder Cup and make just as much of an impact as the big names there. The ball doesn't know you're a rookie, so I think they all have the right mindset and don't fear it.
There are a lot of names that are possible and there's every chance that none of the ones that I think will come through will be there; you just don't know. Right now, where they're at and the place they're at in their careers, they look great chances.
Tyrrell Hatton looks great and there are lots other good ones coming through. It would be nice to see some younger players feature and there might be someone not even on our radar that's going to light it up. It could be someone that wins the Russian Open, then all of a sudden wins plays well or wins one of the Final Series that we're talking about.
Nick Dougherty is part of this week's coverage of the Russian Open – live throughout the weekend on Sky Sports 4 – your home of golf
