The Euro-Cup, Spilling Over

Unlike the American's, the Euros wait until August 31st to wrap up their points race.  I do believe this gives them a bit of an advantage as it accommodates players' form that much closer to the actual event.  

But let's see how things stand as of now, shall we?  As we've previously discussed, the Euros combine two points lists, the logic being to motivate those on the margin to play Euro Tour events.  This year it makes no difference, as those topping the Euro points list would as readily qualify on the World points list.  So their top nine automatic qualifiers are as follows:

1. Rory McIlroy
2. Henrik Stenson
3. Victor Dubuisson
4. Sergio Garcia
5. Justin Rose
6. Martin Kaymer
7. Thomas Bjorn
8. Jamie Donaldson
9. Graeme McDowell

Can you say stacked?  

The big change here is that McDowell has earned enough points since our last update to qualify automatically, freeing up another Captain's pick for Paul McGinley.  

If you're looking for weaknesses, the best you'll come up with are Bjorn and Donaldson, though those two can play.  Bjorn is a little suspect in closing out a stroke play event, but has enough Cup and match-play experience that we shouldn't expect too many gifts.  In fact, a Sunday singles pairing with Jim Furyk would be entirely appropriate, two grizzled vets who haven't won since the Carter Administration.  T'would be fun to see if either can get to the clubhouse with clean shoes.

Of course the fun is in the Captain's picks, and here are the next three on the World points list:

10.  Luke Donald

11.  Stephen Gallacher

12.  Ian Poulter

Poulter's play has been very disappointing, and he's done little in the last two years to warrant a selection.  But he's a mortal lock based upon what he did for their team in 2012, and Donald is probably only slightly less mortal in that sense.  

For his last pick Gallacher, a Scot, is very possible.  The other possibilities come next on the World list:

13.  The Most Interesting Man in Golf

14.  Francesco Molinari

15.  Joost Luiten

16.  Lee Westwood

Jiminez is the most interesting possibility, but is such a short hitter that I think it's dubious that he'll end up on the team.  Luiten played well early in the year, but seems to have cooled off a bit.  I'm guessing it's between Gallacher or Westwood, the former for his passport and the latter for his experience.