The role of Ryder Cup experience will forever be debated after players are selected by Captain's because of strong event pedigree. In the most recent case by Thomas Bjorn in selecting Paul Casey, Ian Poulter, Henrik Stenson and Sergio Garcia for the 2018 Ryder Cup team, the struggles at Hazeltine of Darren Clarke's rookies may have played a role.
As Ryan Lavner points out in this commentary on the overrated nature of experience, that was a road game. Furthermore, as Lavner notes with recent records, younger nerves have come through under recent (and intense) Ryder Cup pressure.
The Bjorn pick stands out most is Garcia's selection in the midst of a poor year by his consistently-high standards.
Rafa Cabrera Bello, 29th in the world and heating up again after seemingly a team lock early in the year, was passed over despite still having an outside shot to win the FedExCup, as Zac Elkin writes. He was undefeated as a Ryder Cup rookie, has a impressive 15-7-1 match play record and is one of Europe's top 10 players based on world rankings.
As Alistair Tait points out, three-time European Tour winner Matt Wallace also has reason to be upset at his omission, writing that "Bjorn has taken a huge gamble on Garcia, one that could hinder Europe’s chances of winning the Ryder Cup."
Garcia, and to a lesser extent Stenson, will ultimately determine the wisdom of Bjorn's strategy. (Casey and Poulter seem to be unanimously well received selections.)
The greater concern for Europe should be what this says to younger players and those attempting to be loyal to the European Tour.
Rafa logged 9 starts on the tour in 2018, not including World Golf Champioships and majors.
Another contender for the team, Matthew Fitpatrick, made 7 European Tour non-major/WGC starts but is leaving for the PGA Tour.
Wallace has made 18 non-major/WGC European Tour starts in 2018. Despite three wins, he was 13th on the European Tour points list. Perhaps his inconsistency this year, coupled with an MC at the French Open proved fatal. But he also birdied 7 of the last 8 holes in front of Bjorn at the Made in Denmark event, then won a four-man playoff in a last minute bid.
Meanwhile, Garcia has posted just 3 non-major/WGC European Tour starts in 2018 and several other numbers are not helping his cause.
While the Ryder Cup team should not be filled out by those loyal to the European Tour, the Bjorn decision could have ramifications into the future.
Given the 2018 European team's emphasis on PGA Tour-based members and the strange point totals not benefitting European Tour play, the deck looks more stacked than ever against those loyal to Europe. Bjorn's pick could provide one more reason a European packs their bag and makes a go of things in America. Or, at the very least, give players a case to chase World Ranking points and money over loyalty to their home tour. Because it's clear Ryder Cup brownie points were not earned this year for showing loyalty to the European Tour.
