With the Ryder Cup less than a month away, the golfing world is buzzing with excitement and controversy. Both teams Europe and USA have preparations going on in full swing. Both teams have picked their 12-male rosters and are now ready to get onto the battlefield for the clash of the Titans.
Luke Donald, the captain of the European Team, has just announced the six picks for his team. The team will have on board the six qualifiers — Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Robert MacIntyre, Viktor Hovland, Tyrrell Hatton & Matt Fitzpatrick — and the six picks, Shane Lowry, Nicolai Hojgaard, Justin Rose, Tommy Fleetwood, Sepp Straka and Ludvig Aberg. Team Europe’s lineup included some unexpected choices that have ignited a backlash.
The controversial choice of Team Europe attracts backlash from LIV Golfer
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The news of Shane Lowry making it to the European team has stirred significant controversy. The golfer has made one Ryder Cup appearance before this and had a score of 1-2-0.
Shane Lowry has also recently missed the cut at D+D Real Czech Masters. His form has been on a downward trend. In stark contrast, Adrian Meronk, who was tied for 13th at the Omega European Masters, has been delivering strong performances.
Richard Bland, a prominent LIV Golfer, has not held his opinions back and expressed his dissatisfaction with Meronk’s exclusion from the European Ryder Cup team. He wrote on his Instagram, “Hearing @adrian meronk not getting picked, Wins Italian Open at the Ryder Cup course. 3rd in DP World rankings! Deserves a pick over an out of form Lowry in my opinion!”
🚨🏆🇪🇺 LIV golfer Richard Bland is not happy about Adrian Meronk being left off the European Ryder Cup team and says Meronk deserves a spot over Shane Lowry. @LowryTracker pic.twitter.com/O5AoS1N5er
— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) September 4, 2023
However, Team Europe is not the only one with such controversial picks, Team USA also has its fair share.
Controversial choice of Team USA
Team USA faced severe backlash for not picking players like Bryson DeChambeau who recently shot a 58 to win a LIV golf event. DeChambeau is also one of the longest hitters in the sport at present. His game and form currently is phenomenal.
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However, Justin Thomas, who missed various cuts in the season and failed to qualify for the FedEx Cup play-offs, was picked in the team solely because he had some experience with the Ryder Cup in the past. USA team captain Zach Johnson faced severe criticism for his choice.
Who do you think will win the Ryder Cup this year? Drop your comments below.
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