If the Coronavirus hadn’t wreaked havoc on the sporting calendar, last weekend would have seen the Ryder Cup taking place at Whistling Straits.
Packed out crowds would have filtered to Wisconsin for the 43rd edition of the biennial tournament, a stirring affair between Europe and the USA.
Defending champions Europe will go in as underdogs in 2021, a side in transition, against a strong American team that everyone expects to win.
Twelve months is a long time in golf, but what will the respective teams look like?
EUROPE
How the qualifying process differs: Europe’s points process was frozen in July until January. Points earned up until that point remain valid. Nevertheless, Padraig Harrington has a far easier task on his hand than Steve Stricker, selecting three players to fill 12 spots. The other nine will come from four in the European points standings and the next five highest-ranking players on the world points list.
Tommy Fleetwood
An absolute talisman at the 2018 Ryder Cup, winning all four matches with Francesco Molinari. Played solid golf from end of 2019 right through to the pandemic. Finished second at the Scottish Open last weekend and is sure to rediscover that consistent magical form come next September.
Jon Rahm
A major force in the sport, holding the world number one spot briefly this summer. With two wins and an array of top-10s to his name this year, the Spaniard is certain to cement his status as a superstar on the Ryder Cup stage like compatriots Seve Ballesteros and Sergio Garcia.
Rory McIlroy
A veteran of four-winning Ryder Cup teams, the 31-year-old will be central to Europe’s exploits on US soil. One of the star players before lockdown, he was slow to relight that flying form since June. However, a top-10 at the US Open suggests he is edging his way to excellence again.
Tyrrell Hatton
With five top-10s this year, including a victory at the Arnold Palmer and the BMW Championship, the 27-year-old has every chance to be selected for Harrington’s team. Has tasted Ryder Cup action before, winning one point from three matches. Has the tools in his armoury to shine at Whistling Straits.
Viktor Hovland
The world number 29 is considered the best European player to join the professional ranks since Rahm. At 23, the Norwegian is still so young, yet already a winner on the PGA Tour. Is certainly on the right path to selection with his strong driving and consistent approach game.
Matthew Fitzpatrick
The Sheffield man will be desperate to atone his omission from the 2018 squad. His consistency is key and that will be central to his form carried into next season. With four top-10s and three missed cuts in his last eight starts, Fitzpatrick needs to iron out those small errors that are costing formidable results. Plays exceptionally tough courses well.
Justin Rose
Has struggled for form this season with eight missed cuts from 15 starts, including five of his last eight starts. The former world number one was Europe’s most dangerous player going into the 2018 Ryder Cup. Will surely bounce back over the coming months.
Lee Westwood
The Englishman played in 10 successive Ryder Cups from 1997 to 2016, ending on the winning side on seven occasions. A future captain, he will be one of Harrington’s picks if he does not finish in the nine qualifying positions. Has not finished outside the top-20 in his last five starts.
Bernd Wiesberger
Won three times on the European Tour in 2019 and looked in sharp form ahead of the Race to Dubai finale last November, in which he finished second. At 35, the Austrian is yet to play in the Ryder Cup, a goal he is desperate to achieve.
Captain’s picks?
It will be interesting to see who Harrington opts for in his side. The best golf is behind the likes of Sergio Garcia (40), Paul Casey (43), Henrik Stenson (44) and Ian Poulter (44) but they are sure to add vital experience and leadership.
Could there be one more Ryder Cup in these ageing warriors?
The team feels very much in transition and the next generation are yet to fully establish themselves. Shane Lowry, Matt Wallace and Rasmus Hojgaard are others who could excel over the next 12 months.
If there were three picks to be made today, it is likely the Irishman would go for Lowry, Garcia and Casey.
AMERICA
How the qualification process differs: For the home side, all points recorded between 2019 and the 2021 BMW Championship next August will count towards selection. The top six will quality automatically, with Stricker selecting six captain’s picks.
Dustin Johnson
Has been the marquee player since the season resumed in June, winning the lucrative FedEX Cup for his 23rd PGA Tour title. Is the most bullet-proof golfer around, able to dust himself off after a litany of disappointments. Always bounces back in tough times.
Bryson Dechambeau
The US Open champion was the only player in the 61-man field to break par on the final day at Winged Foot last month, a testament to the levels of creativity he showed to manage the course to perfection. Is able to match strength with precision and potentially secure important points with his putter.
Colin Morikawa
An incredible season for the 23-year-old who enjoyed his first major victory at the PGA Championship in August. Now sixth in the world, if the Los Angeles man can maintain his promising form he is sure to be a Ryder Cup rookie.
Brooks Koepka
On his day, the four-time major champion is unbeatable. Working his way back from hip and knee injuries, the Florida native is destined to be firing on all cylinders come the prestigious event next year. Only American player not in form at present and that’s because of injury.
Justin Thomas
One of the best in the game, Thomas will be a menace as America bid to regain the trophy. Earned four points on debut in 2018 and was easily the top American at Le Golf National. Has more wins than any other player under the age of 30.
Webb Simpson
Has made three Ryder Cup appearance and looks on course to make it a fourth. Was one of the few Americans to make the fairways and putts in Paris two years ago. Ranked seventh in the world and with a couple of wins to his name in 2020, Simpson looks certain to be a lock on the team.
Likely captain’s picks?
The one year delay may have hurt Europe more than the US as the young guns have established themselves on the global stage. With six picks, it is likely Stricker will select Patrick Reed, Patrick Cantlay, Matthew Wolff, Xander Schauffele, Daniel Berger and Tony Finau. Reed’s talent is undoubted and although he may not be popular in the team dressing room, he will still win you points. Cantlay is a calming force and you could pair him with anyone. Schaufelle was in the mix at the Tour Championship and played great at the US Open. Wolff is a Tour winner and is only going to improve. Berger, meanwhile, has been incredible since June.
