Chaska, Minnesota …

Rookie Thomas Pieters was a relative unknown when he was picked by Darren Clarke to be a member of the European Ryder Cup team.

However, Pieters wrote his name into Ryder Cup history despite the disappointment on a losing European Team at Hazeltine.

Pieters became the highest-scoring European born rookie in history, and since Europe joined the Tplayers in winning four of the five matches the Belgian contested.

Belgian rookie Thomas Pieters can hold his head high after creating history to become the first European rookie to win four of five matches in a European Ryder Cup team

The 24-year stormed his way into Darren Clarke’s side as a ‘wildcard’ pick on the back of his dramatic Made in Denmark success.

Pieters made his 2016 European Team debut partnering Lee Westwood in the Friday morning Foursomes but losing 5 & 4.

However, Clarke found a winning combination when he paired Pieters with Rory McIlroy winning the afternoon Fourballs and then both sessions on day two.

Pieters then fought back from being 1 down to J B Holmes in the Singles winning 3 & 2 over his double USA team rival.

“Playing in my first Ryder Cup this week has been different compared to being out there on your own in playing regular tournaments as you don’t really have anybody to high five and all that sort of stuff,” he said.

“So to have Rory by my side to pick me up when you’re down is special.

“And today, I thought I played pretty well after being 2-down after two holes and fight my way back.  I made plenty of birdies and that’s what you need in match play.

“So after the belief that Darren showed in me to put me out as No. 3 gave me a lot of confidence.

“I’m proud of the way I came back.  I played some really good golf.  J. B. was making a lot of putts on me but then I pulled off the shots when I needed to.”

Pieters is set to return to the European Tour later this week for Thursday’s start to the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland.