Martin Kaymerwill be looking to impress ahead of Darren Clarke’s Ryder Cup wildcard selections as the German launches his title tilt at this week’s Made in Denmark in the company of Danish favourite and European vice captainThomas Bjørnand Sweden’sRobert Karlsson.
With Europe’s nine automatic qualifiers for Hazeltine already confirmed last week in Prague, Kaymer and co. hit the Backtee Course at 0830 on Thursday with the Dusseldorf native hoping a strong performance in Denmark can force the Northern Irishman’s hand ahead of his three captain’s picks at Wentworth next Tuesday.
Clarke, meanwhile, will be keeping a close eye on another potential candidate for one of those three remaining spots from 0820 on Thursday morning in Belgium’sThomas Pieters, who came close to defending his Czech Masters title last week, and the already-confirmedAndy Sullivan.
After also rubber-stamping a Ryder Cup debut with a fifth place last week in the Czech Republic,Matt Fitzpatrick is off at 1320 in the first round in a threeball completed by three-time European Tour winner and DaneThorbjørn Olesen and the previously unheralded AmericanPaul Peterson, who swooped in for a maiden win last week at Albatross Golf Resort.
Elsewhere,David Horseywill launch his Made in Denmark defence alongside Danish prospectLucas Bjerregaardand fellow EnglishmanRoss Fisherwhen play gets under way at Himmerland Golf & Spa Resort on Thursday morning.
Horsey, who won in wire-to-wire fashion here 12 months ago, will look to retain a title for the first time in his European Tour career this week and will begin that bid at 0810 in the first round alongside five-time winner Fisher and the big-hitting Bjerregaard, who is still searching for his maiden triumph on the top tier of European golf.
In a group filled exclusively with Hansens,Søren, Joachim B and Anders will tee off at 0830 while the latter’s son,Marcus, will also play in the same field as his father as a tournament invite after winning the Danish Amateur Championship last week.
Kristoffer Broberg, who shot a course record 62 on the final day here 12 months ago, is out alongside Chinese prodigyLi Haotongand 2014 winnerMarc Warren from 1310, while 2009 US PGA ChampionYE Yangis off at 1340 with Scotland’sStephen Gallacherand South AfricanJaco Van Zyl.
Denmark’sMorten Ørum Madsen is amongst the first group off at precisely 0730 on Thursday.
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