It's Never Too Early To Panic

Now that I've staked out valuable golf blogging real estate, every Tom, Dick and Harry is getting into the game... The latest entrant is Ulsterman Graeme McDowell, who will be posting once-a-month via the BBC.

Given our love of Ireland, friends in Portrush (GMac's home town) and the bride's Irish roots, it's no surprise that we're terribly fond of Mr. McDoowel, just to give you a sense of how the name should be pronounced.  And that doesn't even account for the rain suit, the background of which can be found in the initial post from my Ballyliffin blog.

But as the old joke goes, business is business and the competition must be crushed.  GMac's post is guaranteed to not offend, which seems its primary purpose, dealing with non-controversial subjects such as his schedule, training and the like.  But he does mention his focus on making the Ryder Cup team, noting the following:

Looking at the numbers, there are three or four players who already seem locked in to the team - the likes of Henrik Stenson, Victor Dubuisson, Thomas Bjorn and Jamie Donaldson.

Henrik of course, but are the other three really a lock for the Euro team?  My initial reaction is if only....but shall we take an early look at how the rosters shake out as of now?

Europe:  The Euro qualification process requires some explanation, as two separate lists are maintained.  The first qualification is a European Point List, which awards points only for play in European Tour events and is used to encourage play in Europe.  It's a gift to the Yanks in that there's always one or two who so qualify that aren't quite up to the standard of the rest of the team, since the best European players are all PGA Tour members at this point.   So, here's how the Euros look at the moment: 

Euro Points:

1. Thomas Bjorn
2. Victor Dubuisson
3. Ian Poulter
4. Henrik Stenson
5. Jamie Donaldson
6. Joost Luiten
7. Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano
8. Sergio Garcia
9. Fernando Molinari
10. David Howell

  World Points:

1. Henrik Stenson
2. Sergio Garcia
3. Thomas Bjorn
4. Ian Poulter
5. Victor Dubuisson 
6. Rory McIlroy
7. Jamie Donaldson
8. Joost Luiten
9. Stephen Gallacher 
10. Justin Rose

So the nine automatic slots would be:

1. Bjorn
2. Dubuisson
3. Poulter
4. Stenson
5. Sergio
6. Rory
7. Donaldson
8. Luiten
9. Gallacher

Paul McGinley would have three captain's picks, with obvious candidates including Justin Rose, GMac, Martin Kaymer, Luke Donald and Lee Westwood.  Of course it's awfully early, but GMac has a point about Bjorn and Dubuisson, though I don't see Donaldson in anywhere near as strong a position.  And if we see Joost Luiten at Gleneagles, the beers are on me.

Americans:  Much simpler.  Current standings, and this will take you by surprise:

1. Jimmy Walker
2. Phil Mickelson
3. Jason Dufner
4. Zach Johnson
5. Harris English
6. Dustin Johnson
7. Ryan Moore
8. Webb Simpson
9. Chris Kirk

Notice anyone missing?  Yup, the Striped One is sitting in 29th place....I always thought it was a two-year points race, but obviously his five 2013 wins aren't included.  Also on the outside looking in are Kuchar, Mahan, Snedeker, Bradley, Spieth and Haas...basically the entire team.  Obviously there is a lot of water yet to go over the bridge (or is it under the dam?), but even adding three of the above, that's not a terribly impressive looking team for an away game.