Like America, Harrington’s team also have some big names missing from their automatic spots, no more so than of Europe’s – and the Ryder Cup’s – greatest ever players Ian Poulter.
Following a strong tied-10th finish in Memphis Poulter finds himself just one place behind Shane Lowry who occupies the final automatic place, and the Englishman is determined to qualify as a top-ranking player rather than a wildcard pick.
He said: “I know with a big week this week that would help massively. I saw a stat yesterday that if I finish second this week [in Memphis I’m pretty much in the team, or very close to it. A big week this week would help Paddy out and obviously two weeks after that would be a good finish to try and put myself in the team.”
As well as Poulter, one other hugely experienced name who is yet to cement a place is Europe’s all-time leading point scorer Sergio Garcia, who will more than likely have to rely on captain’s pick to ensure he makes the trip to Wisconsin.
As well as the two stalwarts, a number of rookies will also have their eyes on a spot in Harrington’s final nine, with Robert MacIntyre, Bernd Wiesberger and Victor Perez all just outside the qualification places across both points lists.
