Sports Then and Now

Could Justin Rose be left off the European Ryder Cup team?

Regardless of the fact that he is a two-time US Tour winner, Justin Rose is a serious doubt for the European Ryder Cup team having chosen to defy team captain Colin Montgomerie’s request that all players take part in the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles next month.

Having endured a highly disappointing Irish Open, where he finished 44th, Rose has left himself with a lot of ground to make up if he wants to be included in the team, something that has been questioned after a recent lack of enthusiasm when asked about his intentions.

These reports have intensified since Rose’s statement that “the Ryder Cup is important to me, but I’m third in the FedEx Cup standings and that’s where my focus is going to be.”

With competition for places in the European team intense, especially given Ross Fisher’s victory in the Irish Open, Monty will be looking to pick players truly dedicated to the cause as Europe look to regain the trophy lost back in 2008.

Should Europe fail to achieve this, European fans may not be forgiving of Rose’s decision to ignore his potential captain’s demand. However, given their current status as overwhelming favourites with Ryder Cup betting and the US team potentially having to cope without World Number One Tiger Woods, who has been enduring a torrid time both at the clubhouse and in his personal life, it would seemingly be unwise to go against a European team motivated by revenge.

With players such as Sergio Garcia desperate to make the team even as a wild-card, should Rose fall short in qualifying automatically, he may find himself joining an expected worldwide television audience of 1 billion watching events unfold in Wales.

Meanwhile, if you plan on placing a bet on US PGA 2010 events, it is worth keeping a close eye on those in Ryder Cup contention. Points are everything now for those who want to make it to Celtic Manor and with under two months to go, every tournament is extra important.