Ryder Cup race hotting up

Posted on 18/08/08. Source: Sky Sports (By Sky Sports)

With just two weeks remaining until the European team is named, the race is on to claim the last few places in Nick Faldo's line-up.

Seven players have already secured their place in the 12-man team but three remain up for grabs in qualification before captain Faldo names his two wild cards.

Justin Rose, Oliver Wilson and Soren Hansen currently hold the final three positions but German Martin Kaymer is just £215 behind the Dane with Ian Poulter and Ross Fisher breathing down his neck.

"It sounds weird but I don't feel the pressure," said the 23-year-old Kaymer, who finished in a tie for 20th in Stockholm at the weekend.

"I just see it as a challengeand it's fun to be in position trying to make others angry. It's getting really tight, but I'm enjoying it."

Rose looks most secure in seventh spot but will nevertheless try to cement his place in the side in this week's KLM Dutch Open, rather than competing in the first leg of the PGA Tour's FedEx series.

Paul Casey remains stateside as he bids to make a last-gasp attempt to gain entry, although little short of victory in the Barclays Championship will be enough.

However, the Englishman, who has taken part in the last two Ryder Cup victories, must be high on Faldo's shortlist of players from which two will be added to the qualifiers following the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles.

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