Darren Clarke’s nine leading Ryder Cup qualifiers have been confirmed at the close of the Czech Masters.

The nine, and in order of qualifying, are – Rory McIlroy, Danny Willett, Henrik Stenson, Chris Wood, Sergio Garcia, Rafa Cabrera-Bello, Andy Sullivan and Matt Fitzpatrick.

Of the nine, five will be Ryder Cup first-timers namely:  Willett, Wood, Cabrera-Bello, Sullivan and Fitzpatrick.

Sheffield’s Matt Fitzpatrick one of five rookies now confirmed in Darren Clarke’s team. (Photo – www.europeantour.com)

It will be the largest number of European Team rookies since six first-timers competed in the 2010 Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor with five qualifying automatically and with team captain, Colin Montgomerie selecting Italian Edoardo Molinari on the back of his Johnnie Walker Championship success.

But with nine days till Clarke selects his three wildcard picks the big question does he pick a sixth rookie?

It’s widely viewed Clarke will select Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer as two picks leaving a third choice between the following – Scotland’s Russell Knox, Ireland’s Shane Lowry or four-time Ryder Cup capped Graeme McDowell.

Knox would seem the likely choice given his victory in last November’s WGC – HSBC Champions didn’t count towards Hazeltine selection as he had not joined the European Tour ahead of teeing-up in Shanghai.

But then Knox went out a week later to finish a close second to McDowell in the Myakoba Championship and then last fortnight holed a brilliant par putt at the last to win the Travelers Championship.

However McDowell cannot be discounted given his strong showing this week in the Wyndham Championship.