2014 European Ryder Cup Team Confirmed

At 7:30AM EST this morning, the twelve players of the 2014 European Ryder Cup Team were confirmed by European Captain Paul McGinley. The 2014 Ryder Cup this year is being played at Gleneagles, Scotland (the second time the Ryder Cup has been played in Scotland)

Here is the full team as it stands:

2014 European Ryder Cup Team
Captain:
Paul McGinley

Vice-Captains:
Sam Torrance, Des Smyth, Padraig Harrington, Miguel Angel Jimenez, Jose Maria Olazabal

Team (qualified):
Rory McIlroy (NIR)
Henrik Stenson (SWE)
Sergio Garcia (ESP)
Justin Rose (ENG)
Martin Kaymer (GER)
Victor Dubuisson (FRA)
Thomas Bjørn (DEN)
Jamie Donaldson (WAL)
Graeme McDowell (NIR)

Captain Picks:
Ian Poulter (ENG)
Stephen Gallacher (SCO)
Lee Westwood (ENG)

Wow, this is a very good team with lots of depth and character from it. You have Rory McIlroy, who's just white-hot on fire as of now with his two major wins and WGC win, making his third Ryder Cup appearance (2010, 2012). Henrik Stenson also had an amazing season last year, with both the PGA and European tour money lists, as well as having good major finishes his year. This is Stenson's third Ryder Cup appearance (2006, 2008). Then there's Sergio Garcia, who seems to always be a shot behind Rory and is a Ryder Cup star in his own right. This is Garcia's seventh Ryder Cup appearance (1999, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2012).

Justin Rose also played a major part in the 2012 European Ryder Cup team's comeback two years ago and is a top-level golfer as well as Martin Kaymer, who has won twice this year, including the US Open. Victor Dubuisson will be making his first appearance, but played will in the WGC match-play this year. Jamie Donaldson is also making his first appearance this year, well deserved without doubt. Thomas Bjørn also brings much experience to the team. Finally, Graeme McDowell is also a Ryder Cup hero and sealed the European team's with back in 2010, with a key putt.

As for the three Captain Picks, it was expected that Ian Poulter and Stephen Gallacher would be picked, Poulter simply because he is the embodiment of the Ryder Cup and brings so much energy to it, and Gallacher who literally played his way on the team with impressive golf this year, and especially last week at the Italian Open (this will be his 1st appearance and 1st on home soil). The name Gallacher is also famous in Ryder Cup history. Stephen's uncle Bernard Gallacher was a Ryder Cup non-playing captain back in 1991, 1993, and 1995, and played in eight Ryder Cups before. It was really between Lee Westwood and Luke Donald, who are both great Ryder Cup players. Captain McGinly said in his press conference that it ultimately came down to the form of the two players. This is Lee's ninth Ryder Cup appearance.

Within the next 48 hours, the last two vice-captains will also be picked by Paul McGinley. Stay tuned for that and for the American Ryder Cup team Captain Picks, later on this evening.

This should make for a very exciting Ryder Cup this year, come the end of September,

-Nick
Toronto Golf Reviews

UPDATE (09/03/14): Captain McGinly announces his last three assistant captains: Padraig Harrington, Miguel Angel Jimenez, and 2012 captain Jose Maria Olazabal.