Bjorn making Olazabal take notice for Ryder Cup
- By Ryan Ballengee
- Jun 4, 2012 11:59 AM ET

European Ryder Cup captain Jose Maria Olazabal will pull 10 automatic qualifiers from two separate points lists. The top 5 players on the European Points List after the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles will make the team (Click to view U.S. Ryder Cup standings).
Top 5 after the ISPS Handa Wales Open (points in parentheses):
1. Rory McIlroy (2,584,843.51)
2. Paul Lawrie (1,933,398.60)
3. Justin Rose (1,921,969.23)
4. Martin Kaymer (1,683,932.41)
5. Peter Hanson (1,665,798.93)
The five players are unchanged this week.
The next five players will be the highest five on the World Points List not already on the team. Currently, that handful of players would consist of the following in order of their position on the list (points in parentheses):
2. Luke Donald (324.26)
4. Lee Westwood (238.22)
5. Graeme McDowell (169.49)
9. Sergio Garcia (142.49)
10. Nicolas Colsaerts (121.94)
The list is unchanged from last week.
Olazabal will finalize his team by making two picks. Here are some players not currently inside the top five of either points list who deserve consideration:
Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano: The Spaniard was part of a four-way tie for second place in Wales.
Michael Hoey: The Ulsterman missed the cut in difficult conditions at the Wales Open. His chances are slipping.
Ian Poulter: Poulter took the week off after a T-10 at the BMW PGA Championship.
Thomas Bjorn: Bjorn posted a T-2 finish at Celtic Manor, the last site of the Ryder Cup. That's a good omen.
Joost Luiten: A first mention for him on our watch list this year, but the Dutchman was part of the runner-up group in Wales and is 17th in European points.
-
Tags: Ryder Cup, Thomas Bjorn, José Maria Olazabal
Related Articles
WGC-World Cup heading to Royal Melbourne
by Ryan Lavner | May 11, 2013 9:42 AM ETThis year's World Cup competition will be played this November at famed Royal Melbourne in Australia. Read More
Cal's Kim, 3 'Bama players lead U.S. Palmer Cup team
by Ryan Lavner | Apr 22, 2013 8:56 AM ETThe top-ranked teams in the country will be well-represented at this year's Palmer Cup, to be played in June. Read More
McGinley finalizing Ryder cup qualifying process
by Ryan Lavner | Mar 26, 2013 5:03 PM ETThis May, Paul McGinley will make his recommendation for the Ryder Cup qualifying process to the European Tournament Committee, with a public announcement to be made in June. Read More
Ballengee is a GolfChannel.com contributor who writes for GTC and Fantasy Insider.
Latest News
- USGA, R&A ban anchored stroke | Explanation
- Infographic: What's legal, illegal | Timeline
- Statements: PGA Tour, PGA of America | USGA
- Manufacturer on anchor ban: 'Golf lost today'
- Tiger: Clear air? 'No' | Sergio: 'Not afraid'
- Euro captain McGinley adds third Ryder Cup pick
- Lefty to play Memphis for 1st time since '09
- G-Mac wins Match Play | OWGR No. 7 | Scores
- Bae wins Byron Nelson | At a glance | Scores
- Venturi dies at 82 | Twitter reaction | Photos
- Open qualifying: Men's local | Women's sectional
- Instruction: Stay stable in high winds like Bae








