Ryder Cup 2016: Darren Clarke rates wildcard Thomas Pieters as a potential world-beater in the class of Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy
Europe skipper tips Belgian to win host of Majors after picking him with experienced stars Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer
DARREN CLARKE says Thomas Pieters deserves to be ranked alongside Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy as a potential world-beater.
Clarke handed Pieters his third wild card for Hazeltine in thirty days’ time – after also selecting the experienced duo of Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer - and said the sky is the limit for the big-hitting Belgian.
The European captain explained: “I've been a huge Thomas Pieters fan for a number of years, and I've said that all along.
“In my opinion he is a future world No 1, and a multiple Major winner.
“I've been on Tour for a long time and I've seen massive talent come along. I played with Tiger when he was an amateur at the Open in Lytham in 1996 and I've seen Rory up close since he's been a very, very young kid.
“Thomas Pieters impresses me in the same league as those guys. He has that amount of talent, and he brings something special to the team.
“I said all along that I would not pick a rookie, or that I would be reticent to do so. But he just brings something else to the mix. He hits it so far, and his short game, as you can all see, is just fantastic.”
Clarke was told by his long-time coach, Pete Cowen – who has nurtured Pieters since he was eight – that the young Belgian could prove the next European superstar.
The 2011 Open champion quickly saw what Cowen meant when Pieters turned pro after an all-conquering stint as a college player in the USA, where he put Jordan Spieth in his place to win the NCAA Division One Championship.
He also hoovered up the prestigious Jack Nicklaus Invitational as well as the Big Ten Championship, and impressed the hell out of Clarke with his third professional victory at last week’s Made in Denmark event.
Clarke asked to be paired with Pieters, 24, to see what he was made of. His playing partner shot a stunning 62 in the first round, and rattled off a hat-trick of birdies on the final day to secure a one shot win.
Clarke added: “When I partnered him last Thursday, he knew why I was playing with him. And for him to go out and perform in the way that he did was pretty eye-catching.
“I didn't go over and talk with him after he finished, but he obviously impressed me,just as he had done in the past. I comfortably missed the cut and went back home and watched every shot on Sunday, both from there and in America.
“Again, Thomas, with what he did coming down the stretch to finish off the tournament, was huge.
“He put himself in the position where he probably realised, to have a realistic chance of getting a pick, he had to win the tournament - and he did that with three birdies to finish.
“You know, it was a very difficult choice for me to make between Russell Knox and Thomas. Obviously Russell has played brilliantly well with winning a WGC event last November, and then winning Travelers earlier this month by and knocking in that 12‑15‑foot putt on the last green.
“But I went for form. Russell has got form, as well, but Thomas showed me just a hair more in my opinion. I went with my gut feeling.
“We had a big discussion yesterday up at Queenwood with all the vice captains. Thomas Bjorn and Sam Torrance were there. We had Poults, Paul Lawrie and Pádraig on a conference call.
“The discussion was long and thorough. And we all come out with the agreement that Thomas Pieters merited the final pick.”
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Pieters has the reputation of being a laid-back character, a bit like fellow Belgian Nicolas Colsaerts. He was also a wild card choice as a rookie four years ago, and played his part in the Miracle at Medinah.
Pieters grinned: “I spoke to Niocolas, and he said I’d be fine, as long as I made as many birdies as he did at Mednah!
“Making this team has been a big motivator for me even though I didn’t like to say so. I wanted to let my golf do the talking.
“And I’ve played well in some big events, like when I was fourth at the Olympics, so there's no fear factor.
“It's going to be a matter of deal with the crowds I think. I haven't really played in front of a crowd that's against you. So that will be interesting. But I'm sure I'll be up for the task.
“And yeah, I know Jordan, I've played against him. Hopefully we have some fun out there.”