Double Major winning Jordan Spieth has come out stronger than most declaring it would be ‘ridiculous’ if Russell Knox is denied a European Ryder Cup ‘wildcard’ pick.

Spieth played alongside the Scot for the opening two rounds of this week’s lucrative Barclays Championship at Bethpage Park on New York’s Long Island.

While Knox had battled a mystery virus he picked-up off his wife’s niece, he dug deep to fight his way to the weekend rounds of the opening event on the FedEx Cup Play-Off Series.

Spieth made his USA Team debut two years ago at Gleneagles and teaming with fellow Texan Patrick Reed to be undefeated in three matches.

Jordan Spieth virtually pointing a finger at European Ryder Cup Captain, Darren Clarke saying it wold be ‘ridiculous’ not to pick Russell Knox as a European ‘wildcard’ pick. (Photot – USGA)

And now after qualifying second among the USA leading eight Spieth is set to again play a key role in the American Team’s hope of avoiding a fourth straight defeat.

Indeed, just one of the eight, Phil Mickelson, has been on a victorious Stars and Stripes side.

But then Spieth also is smart enough to know talent where he sees it and he feels Knox deserves his place on Darren Clarke’s side.

“It would be ridiculous if Russell didn’t get one of the picks,” said the American.  “The fact that his World Golf Championship win doesn’t count is a bummer.  I think he would have been fourth on the standings is what I have heard if that win in Shanghai counted.

“So I don’t think there’s any doubt he deserves that pick”.

Spieth also paid a bigger compliment to Knox declaring:  “Russell’s a better guy than he is a player and that’s saying something.

“I asked his caddy (Brad Whittle), ‘Has Russell ever said a bad word?’   He said:  “Maybe once in a while to me, but I deserved it, I’d give myself one, too.

“So he’s just a great guy.”