2020 European Ryder Cup team: GolfMagic predicts Harrington's lineup

GolfMagic team predicts the players they expect to see make Padraig Harrington's 2020 European Ryder Cup side at Whistling Straits.

Andy Roberts's picture
Mon, 23 Sep 2019
2020 European Ryder Cup team: GolfMagic predicts Harrington's lineup

The BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth marked the first counting event for points to make the 2020 European Ryder Cup team, so what better time to start considering which 12 players will make Padraig Harrington's team. 

With one year exactly until Europe lock horns away from home against the United States at Whistling Straits, GolfMagic's Andy, Jack and Max have revealed the players they expect to see boarding the plane for Wisconsin. 

Harrington's team will comprise of nine automatic picks through both a World Points List and European Points List, and then he will be afforded three wildcard picks to complete his side.

Do you agree with the players that have been selected below, or do you think someone else will surprise? Will the team comprise a number of debutants, or will it be flooded with the usual suspects? 

ANDY'S PREDICTED TEAM:

Rory McIlroy: unofficially already booked his ticket, a leader. 
Jon Rahm: one of the best players in the world right now, consistent performer, made for matchplay. 
Justin Rose: a little inconsistent of late, but his experience is a must for an away game. 
Paul Casey: playing some of the best golf of his life right now, good matchplayer.
Sergio Garcia: recent winner on Tour, all-time leading European Ryder Cup points scorer, huge experience.
Francesco Molinari: loves Tommy.
Tommy Fleetwood: loves Franky.
Shane Lowry: Open winner hungry for a Ryder Cup debut, Harrington will want him there. 
Matt Wallace: unlucky not to be at Le Golf National last time, will be more determined than ever this time. 
Henrik Stenson: slowly but surely getting back into the swing of things, may need to rely on a pick but his relationship with Rose will stand him good stead to make the team.
Ian Poulter: lives, breathes and sleeps Ryder Cup, as long as he can swing a club come next September he will be there. 
Viktor Hovland: new kid on the block tipped to become World No.1 one day, only a matter of time before he makes his Ryder Cup debut, and there is every reason to believe it will be 2020. 

JACK'S PREDICTED TEAM:

Rory McIlroy: locked.
Paul Casey: arguably in the form of his life right now.
Jon Rahm: took down Tiger last time in the singles, hungry for more.
Justin Rose: best English player we've had for a very long time, a huge asset for Harrington's side.
Tommy Fleetwood: one half of the dream team in 'Moliwood', can see him being the top points scorer at Whistling Straits.
Francesco Molinari: there's no Moliwood without this man, not been in great form of late but he will be back in 2020.
Matt Wallace: made for a Ryder Cup, he will want this opportunity more than most especially after Bjorn dodged him last time.
Henrik Stenson: a must have for an away tie in the States, he will thrive at Whistling Straits, playing some good stuff lately.
Sergio Garcia: could be touch and go for an automatic place but you cannot overlook an all-time leading points scorer.
Shane Lowry: perhaps a surprising Open Champion but a fitting one, his Ryder Cup debut beckons.
Viktor Hovland: a future world No.1 who has already hit the ground running since turning pro only recently, would be a fearless debutant.
Ian Poulter: likely the toughest decision Harrington will have to make, but how can you leave the 'Postman' out of things?! 
 

MAX'S PREDICTED TEAM: 

Rory McIlroy: is this even debatable?
Paul Casey: consistently playing well, can see him winning multiple times in 2020. 
Jon Rahm: probably the hottest young European talent in the game right now, his power off the tee will be a huge asset. 
Justin Rose: just does everything well, can see him forming another successful partnership with Stenson.
Danny Willett: fresh off a BMW PGA victory to kickstart his Ryder Cup credentials, has spoken of his desire for a second Ryder Cup.
Tommy Fleetwood: could do with a victory soon to secure his place, but his relationship with Molinari will likely see him over the line whatever happens in 2020. 
Francesco Molinari: has found it hard to get back to form since throwing away The Masters in April, but for the reasons above he will be boarding a plane to Wisconsin.
Matt Wallace: just missed out as a captain's pick last year, matchplay will suit him down to the ground - his debut awaits.
Sergio Garcia: leading Ryder Cup point scorer and fresh off a win on the European Tour at the KLM Open, he will have no problem getting into the automatic spots for the team.
Victor Hovland: playing unbelievably well now with 18 consecutive rounds in the 60s before a pair of 70s at the weekend at Wentworth, a very exciting young talent who will thrive as a rookie.
Henrik Stenson: think he may just miss out on an automatic spot, but his record and partnership with Rose will be too much for Harrington to bypass.
Ian Poulter: well how can you have a Ryder Cup without the 'Postman'?!