Sam Torrance: Thomas Bjorn’s Ryder Cup decision over Matt Wallace rests on rookie factor
I find it unbelievable that a player can win three times on the European Tour this year and still not earn an automatic place on the Ryder Cup team, but that’s the case for Englishman Matt Wallace.
Wallace was magnificent at the weekend to win the final tournament of the qualifying process in Denmark – and present European captain Thomas Bjorn with a selection quandary.
With five rookies already assured of a spot in the side to face the United States later this month in France, Bjorn’s decision – to be announced on Wednesday – hinges on whether he feels ready to select another debutant in Wallace or a more experienced player.
Read more: Sam Torrance: Day of reckoning is looming for Thomas Bjorn
I know what it’s like to be on the fringes of the team and Wallace has put himself in that position, at the very least, with the best season of his career.
His play-off victory at the Made In Denmark event followed wins earlier in the year at the BMW International Open and the Hero Indian Open, making him the most prolific man on the European Tour in 2018.
The 28-year-old, who won six times on the Alps Tour in 2016 on his way to reaching the top tier in Europe, would clearly be a great asset for the team.
Despite that success, he hasn’t cracked the top 50 in the world rankings yet, which means he doesn’t play some of the big events and therefore his competition against the very best players has been limited. That’s the next step in his development and that will come.
I’m certain Wallace will represent Europe in the Ryder Cup – the only question is whether it happens this year or in 2020.
Bjorn (centre) is due to name his four captain's picks on Wednesday (Source: Getty)
Bjorn is widely expected to name the experienced trio of Ian Poulter, Henrik Stenson and Paul Casey as three of his four captain’s picks – leaving one place up for grabs for Wallace or someone else.
The difficulty with picking Wallace is that he would be a sixth debutant in the 12-man team, along with Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hatton, Jon Rahm, Alex Noren and Thorbjorn Olesen.
It can be tough being a rookie at the Ryder Cup: you have no idea what to expect from this massive occasion and that can leave a player like a rabbit in the headlights.
That is even tougher if you’re a captain’s pick. After all, that means you didn’t do enough to qualify automatically – however harsh that may seem on Wallace – so you have to be very strong mentally to cope with questions about your selection.
Garcia is one of the more experienced candidates for a captain's pick (Source: Getty)
Bjorn is a very intelligent man. I’ve always liked what he has had to say in team rooms at previous Ryder Cups, I think he’ll consider everything, and I’m sure that he’ll come up with the best team to win the trophy back from the Americans.
Vying with Wallace for his favour are fellow Englishmen Matt Fitzpatrick and Eddie Pepperell, and the likes of Sergio Garcia, Rafa Cabrera Bello and Thomas Pieters.
Fitzpatrick isn’t a rookie but didn’t take his chance to win in Denmark and replace Olesen in the side. As for Pepperell, I don’t think you could make him a sixth debutant ahead of Wallace.
In situations like this, I think it’s really helpful to ask your star players who they would choose. They know the guys best because they’re up close and personal with them going down the stretch.
Personally, I’d give the last spot to Garcia. The Spaniard may not be in great form but he’s a world class golfer, he loves the Ryder Cup and the competition is in his blood.