The race for the Ryder Cup: WGC Bridgestone invitational

The Bridgestone Invitation, held at Firestone Country Club, is regarded as one of the premium events in world golf. Endorsed as a World Golf Championship (WGC), where only the world’s top 50 players are eligible, the quality of golf on show will be of the highest level. This year’s event is slightly different to previous years where the event has been moved forward in order to avoid conflict with the Olympics. Additionally, the event will not be sanctioned or part of the 2016 European Tour international schedule, nor will money won in it count towards The Race to Dubai or for Ryder Cup points. With European players competing this week and still fighting for Ryder Cup qualification, the decision could be in question and they may regret the choice come August 28,

The 2016 Ryder Cup Team and Contenders

Danny Willett, Rory McIlroy, Chris Wood, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Henrik Stenson, Justin Rose and Sergio Garcia have all but confirmed their places within the team due to greater world ranking points and season form. Andy O’Sullivan and Rafa Cabrera Bello have been examples of steadiness over the last 18 months and are presently in the team; however they will still need a resilient finish to the season in order to assure their places.

With nine spaces certain through world ranking points and Euros (€) won, the remaining three members are selected by captain Darren Clarke. These three players are expected to be chosen on season form and those on the border of the team qualification will be strong favourites. Current cusp players, Olesen, Westwood, Pieters and Kaymer have all decided to play the Open De France this week in order to boost their Ryder Cup chances.

Nevertheless, there are three further European players who are on the verge of qualifying who have selected to play The Bridgestone – they are: Shane Lowry, Russell Knox, and Soren Kjeldsen- all three set to be rookies. Lowry and Knox have both won big in the WGCs with the former contending to win in majors. Kjeldsen is a European Tour veteran who has discovered some of his best career golf over the past 18 months, making the race for qualification tighter than ever.

Notably, Shane Lowry’s decision to defend the title he won last season has been seen as a no-brainer by many of his peers and golf experts. However, the decision for Russell Knox and Soren Kjeldsen,to participate instead of the Open De France is left to be questioned. All the same, if they were to be victorious this week –to which they may feel their game better suites Firestone rather than Le Golf National – then a captain's pick would be all but certain.

Final tournament position for the 2016 European Tour season was examined for each of the three players to measure form. Each player has had relatively inconsistent seasons where good and bad results are evident. Russell Knox is the only one of the three to record a victory this season, during late 2015, which stands him in a stronger position, as the top seven Ryder Cup positions have all been triumphant internationally. Nevertheless, Knox’s win would be close to 11 months ago by the time the Ryder Cup comes around, meaning he may need another victory to justify his selection.

In total, Knox has played a staggering 23 tournaments this season to which he won in only his fourth start and has finished runner-up on three further occasions. Yet, his form has been unpredictable with four missed cuts and nine events finishing outside the top 25. On the other hand, it can be suggested that when Russell does finish high up the leader board he puts himself in contention to win, showing his A game is of the highest quality.

Both Lowry and Kjelden have played a significantly lower number of events than Knox but their season form has also been at a lower level. Soren recorded an impressive T7 finish in The Masters with Shane finishing T2 at the U.S. Open recently. Both players have shown some high quality golf that could warrant a captain’s pick, but without a tournament victory their chances are considerably reduced.

Lowry has an impressive 2014/15 season winning the WGC Bridgestone - to which he is defending – and many had all but cemented him in the Ryder Cup team. However, his form this season has been unreliable and as a result has left him with ground to make up in order to make the team.

Average tournament results were assessed to gauge form for the start and middle of the season during pre and post Masters Tournament. Kjeldsen averaged 32nd position at the start of the season but has since dropped 14 places to 46th suggesting his form is dipping in the middle part of the season. Whereas Knox and Lowry have both gained 10 positions on average from their early to middle season form signifying they are peaking at the right time in order to make the final push for the team. However, with Knox already notching up 21 tournament starts to date, he could run the risk of burning-out during the most important part of the season.

Knox has averaged an impressive Top 30 in the WGCs and Majors this season – higher than his pre and post Masters average - suggesting his game is best suited to the more difficult set-ups and high pressure events. If he carries on this form in the big tournaments, where greater world ranking points are available, he could earn enough points to make the team automatically.

Lowry’s recent U.S. Open showing bettered his average to the Top 40 in WGCs and Majors this season. However, his story is much of the same against his pre and post Masters average where until his U.S. Open runner-up finish he had not performed particularly well in the big events.

Kjelden’s average of 44th in the WGCs and Majors this season proposes his standout showing at the Masters was a one off. It appears to be a brave call to choose The Bridgestone over Open De France and his form in the big events do not suggest it will be the correct decision for his Ryder Cup hopes.

Firestone – The South Course

The South Course at Firestone is a monster Par 70 measuring at 7,400 yards . Known for its long, demanding par 4s and 667 yard par 5 signature 16th hole, long and accurate play tee to green will be essential. Furthermore, with the rough being notoriously thick, an exceptional short game will be required with this feeling like back to back majors for many.

Previous course form at Firestone offers little insight into the player’s chances this week. Lowry was obviously victorious in the event last year, which naturally makes him a favourite, and factor in his RU position at the U.S. Open, he could be hitting form at just the right time to repeat the accomplishment.

Kjeldsen has participated in this event just once since 2009 with a 12th placed finish last year; however the last time he was eligible for the WGC was 2009 where he finished T68. Soren is one of the shorter hitters in the game and relies on his imperious accuracy which could serve him well at Firestone, but unless he is victorious and contending coming down the stretch Sunday afternoon, participating in this event will do little to help his Ryder Cup chances.

Knox has not been entitled to play the WGC Bridgestone in his professional career due to his inferior world ranking points and therefore has no course form. However, judging by his previous results in the big events his game could be well suited to Firestone, to which a strong result will be required.

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• Kjeldsen has no PGA Tour status and is a full member on the European Tour. His season results have been strong for a player who considered quitting the game not all that long ago until he rediscovered his winning touch at the 2015 Irish Open after a six year drought. Many a peer and fan would love nothing more than to see a veteran make his Ryder Cup debut in his 40s. Nevertheless, Soren will need to produce some of his Masters form in the big events over the remaining eight weeks to qualify, and with his decision to play The Bridgestone this week it could be a huge factor to that outcome.

• Knox’s form this season on the PGA Tour has been of the highest quality with six Top 25s,three Top 10s, two runner-ups and one victory, standing him 5th in the FedEx Cup points. It is increasingly unlikely he will qualify for the Ryder Cup team through the European Points List, but if his upkeeps his American form, he has a strong possibility through the World Points List. A good showing this week will surely cement his place in the team.

• Lowry’s season has not really been what many had expected since his win in this event last season. Many anticipated him to already be a certainty but his position is really in doubt. His form on both tours has been inconsistent, but with his excellent play at the U.S. Open he could be turning a corner. Nonetheless, Shane will need more than just one good week in a major and must start producing his best stuff to warrant his place in the team. If he defends this week there is no question, but the inconsistent play must be eradicated for the remaining eight weeks.