Ryder Cup hero admits Europe not worried about USA in the slightest
Tommy Fleetwood says the European Ryder Cup team have not had "one conversation" about USA ahead of titantic Rome clash.
PGA Tour star Tommy Fleetwood admits the 2023 European Ryder Cup team led by captain Luke Donald have not had "one conversation" about Zach Johnson's United States team ahead of the biennial clash in Rome later this month.
Fleetwood, 32, was speaking to Square Mile while enjoying a short break in his season following the conclusion of the FedEx Cup where he finished tied sixth.
Johnson named his six captain's picks in the US Ryder Cup team on Tuesday this week.
The six captain's picks were:
They now join:
Once learning of the six captain's picks in the US Ryder Cup team, Tiger Woods' ex golf coach Hank Haney labelled Johnson's wildcards as the "boys club".
But despite receiving heavy criticism for his picks, largely the one of an out-of-form Thomas, the defending champions led by Johnson are still firm favourites to win their first Ryder Cup on European soil since 1993.
The bookies have USA priced up at 5/6 right now. Europe is 6/4 and the Tie is 12/1.
Has Zach Johnson picked his best side?
GolfMagic Editor @AndyRobertsGolf and News Editor @BenSmithGolf discuss further... #RyderCup
— GolfMagic (@GolfMagic) August 31, 2023
Although 12 of their players rank inside the top 30 in the world, and seven of them are major champions, Fleetwood admits the hosts are not worried in the slightest about what stands in their way at Marco Simone.
The Englishman considers Donald's European team, which includes Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm and new FedEx Cup champion Viktor Hovland, is trending nicely ahead of September 29.
Team USA has changed too with LIV Golf stars such as Dustin Johnson (who went 5-0 last time out at Whistling Straits) and Bryson DeChambeau omitted from the team.
Europe are solely concentrating on themselves admits the 2017 Race to Dubai champion.
Fleetwood told Square Mile:
During the interview, Fleetwood let slip two of the rookies that Donald will pick when he names his six picks on Monday.
Tommy Fleetwood has let slip a number of rookies set to make the Ryder Cup team
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— GolfMagic (@GolfMagic) September 1, 2023
GolfMagic Readers believe Europe hold the aces heading into the Ryder Cup, at least looking at the early poll vote:
With Team USA now complete, who do we think will win the Ryder Cup?
— GolfMagic (@GolfMagic) August 29, 2023
As it stands, these are the six players automatically in the European Team:
Q indicates already qualified
Top 3 from European Points List
Top 3 from World Points List
Fleetwood is currently in the automatic positions but he is likely to be pushed out as a result of Matt Fitzpatrick leading in Switzerland as it stands.
Fitzpatrick needs to finish T7 or better at the European Masters to edge Fleetwood for the final automatic place in the team.
However, either way, Fleetwood knows he will receive a wildcard pick should he need one no matter what happens this week.
Eddie Pepperell questions what it would mean should Ludvig Aberg receive one of Luke Donald's six captain's picks in the European Ryder Cup team
Do you agree with Eddie?
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— GolfMagic (@GolfMagic) September 1, 2023
Shane Lowry and Justin Rose will also receive wildcards, you would fully expect.
Fleetwood will make his third straight European Ryder Cup team this month.
The Englishman's record stands at 4-2-2.
He memorably went 4-1-0 on his debut in the European Ryder Cup team at Le Golf National in 2018.
Fleetwood teamed up with Francesco Molinari that week to win all four of his matches alongside the Italian.
As a result they earned the new nickname 'Moliwood'.
Molinari also won his singles match to pull off a rare 5-0 feat.
Sadly an out-of-form Molinari will not be in action this time around on home Italian soil, but he will act as one of Donald's vice-captains.
