While Graeme McDowell has the enormous excitement tomorrow (MON) of becoming a father for the first time, he’s shown true sportsmanship in wishing Stephen Gallacher well in qualifying for the European Ryder Cup team.
The European Tour confirmed late today (SUN) Gallacher needs to finish top-two in this week’s Italian Open, and the final European Team qualifying event, and if successful the current 11th place Scot will overtake the present ninth-ranked McDowell to earn a first European team cap.
McDowell could have slammed the Gleneagles door shut on Gallacher with a strong showing in the PGA Tour’s Barclays Championship, and the final qualifying event for the many European-born players competing in the States.
Graeme McDowell shows true sportsmanship in wishing Stephen Gallacher well in this week’s Italian Open. (Photo – www.golffile.ie)
However McDowell’s final round 72 for an eventual share of 40th place in Paramus, New Jersey has presented Gallacher with the opportunity to now qualify automatically for Paul McGinley’s side.
But if Gallacher should not finish top-two in Turin and miss out on being inside the leading nine, then most observers believe the player who lives the closest to Gleneagles will be overlooked for a ‘wildcard’ pick in favour of Luke Donald, Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood.
“I hope Stevie goes to Italy and does the job as that will throw the cat among the pigeons but then he’s had a great year,” said McDowell.
“And with the Ryder Cup being in Scotland I certainly would not begrudge him a spot in the team so whatever happens, happens.
“I’ve not put enough World Ranking points on the board this week but it’s been a good summer, and I’ve done my part and I’m sure Paul is aware of that but that’s my Ryder Cup qualifying run over.
“I will be flying to Colorado for the Barclays Championship when Paul announces his three picks and while I am hoping to be a part of a fourth Ryder Cup team, I wish Stephen Gallacher well this week in Italy.
“I hope he gives it a shot and he would be a great edition to the team in Scotland, but then as I said it would certainly make the picks a little more interesting.”
Russell Knox was particularly hard on himself in bogeying his closing two holes on the final day of the Barclays having been as high as six under par after two rounds of the first of four Play-Off Series events but slumping to post weekend rounds of 74 and 71 for a three under par tally.
“I played really well the first two days but over the weekend I was average, and today really I was shocking as I was all over the place,” he said.
“The only thing that saved me today was my short game, and it was a sad way to end the week with two bogeys so really I didn’t deserve much better than a 71.
“But then I’ve got to improve. I’m not good enough yet, and when you finish the way I did out there, you just feel you’re pathetic at this game.”
Knox and his new wife, Andrea intending spending today (MON) at the opening round of the US Open tennis at nearby Flushing Meadow across the Hudson River in New York.
He will then travel north and begin preparations for Friday’s starting $US 8m Deutsche Bank Championship at TPC Boston, and also like the Barclays, his maiden appearance in the 120-player field event.
