Ryder Cup: Battle for European Wildcard

This weekend the Johnnie Walker will be played out at Gleneagles and as the final putt drops on Sunday afternoon, the top nine automatic spots for Europe's Ryder Cup team will be set in stone. It will then be time for Colin Montgomerie to make the biggest decision of his captaincy so far, when he selects his three wildcards.

Two years ago, the USA team changed their selection process to include four wildcard picks and it proved to be a success, when they sunk Faldo's Europeans, claiming the trophy for the first time since 1999. However, This year will be the first time that there will be more than two picks for the Europeans, having been set at two for as long as I can remember.

However it has a been a long time, if ever, since that the European captain was dealt such a selection headache. In recent years had the captain had three picks it is likely that there would not have been much of a debate about the selections as there are usually only a handful of names banded about and usually only one person left out that there is an argument for - see Darren Clarke 2008 and Thomas Bjorn 2006.

This year is different. There are a large - and that is no exaggeration - number of players that could earn a pick and justifiably so.

Currently only Lee Westwood, Rory Mcilroy, Martin Kaymer, Ian Poulter, Graeme McDowell and Ross Fisher are guaranteed to feature. Assuming the standings stay the same, the other three spaces will go to Francesco Molinari, Peter Hanson and Miguel Angel Jiminez.

So who are the guys who will be fighting it out for Monty's Captain's Pick?

Paul Casey

Paul Casey was in contention for an automatic spot before Peter Hanson's win at the Czech Open this weekend and having already said he will not feature in the Johnnie Walker Classic as he eyes a good FedEx Cup run across the pond.

Casey has featured in the last three Ryder Cups, accumulating five points in that time. This included a hole in one to close out a foursomes match in 2006.

The man from Cheltenham has proven his quality on both sides of the pond and despite not yet winning a major championship he has a decent record, including a third place finish at this year's British Open.

I don't think many would worry about his selection if Monty opts for him.

Justin Rose

Justin Rose has had the definition of a yo-yo career.

Since hitting the big time in 1998 when he pitched in on the final hole at Royal Birkdale to claim a top-5 finish in the Open as an amateur he has experienced highs and lows.

Having made his debut at the last Ryder Cup - scoring three points and forming an impressive partnership with Ian Poulter - Rose had gone off the planet a bit during 2009.

However this year has seen him back to his best, claiming two titles on the US Tour and unlucky not to have taken a third.

He has also chosen not to compete at Gleneagles this week and it may prove to be a mistake as a number of more experienced names may see him pipped him to the post.

Luke Donald

LD is another man choosing to stay in the States this week and rely on a Captain's pick to make the European Side.

He has played a part in two Ryder Cups, missing out last time round due to a wrist injury. In those two matches though he amassed 5.5 points, losing only once.

His record gives him the edge over some of his rivals and I wouldn't be surprised if he is the first name on the sheet when Monty makes his picks.

This season he has only the Madrid Masters to his name but is coming into form at the right time.

Padraig Harrington

Padraig Harrington is the most decorated name to miss out on an automatic spot.

The Irishman is a 3-time major winner but has had a relatively poor season, having won only once since his PGA Championship win in 2008.

His Ryder Cup record is impressive, appearing in the last five matches and his presence will be sorely missed if he does not make the team this time round.

Having been relatively quiet all year but has started to come into some form in recent weeks. His experience may see him given the nod, although it is far from guaranteed.

Bernhard Langer

So maybe it's a long shot but the German's pedigree speaks for itself.

Colin Montgomerie said during a recent interview that he wouldn't rule out selecting the veteran and it's easy to see why his name is being banded about.

He appeared in 10 Ryder Cups, only missing out in 1999 between his first and last appearance, before Captaining the side to a wash out victory at Oakland Hills in 2004.

People may think he's past it but since joining the Seniors Circuit he has been unstoppable, claiming both the Seniors Open and Seniors US Open in successive weeks.

Also, with Martin Kaymer making the side, Monty may be tempted by the focused and meticulous pairing of Langer and Kaymer.

Never say never...

Edoardo Molinari

Edoardo Molinari has had a fine season claiming his maiden victory at Loch Lomond in July when he held off the challenge of Darren Clarke.

The 29-year-old Italian may be an outside bet but with his younger brother Francesco looking like gaining an automatic spot, Monty might see promise in pairing the siblings together in Friday and Saturday's matches

Rhys Davies

Twenty-five-year-old Rhys Davies has exploded onto the scene this year winning his maiden event in Morocco and finishing runner-up at Celtic Manor - the scene of this year's Ryder Cup, firing a final round 62.

Although he is new to the tour and does not have the credentials of some of his rivals, his showing at Celtic Manor earlier in the year along with his 'local boy' tag give him an edge.

Monty would have liked the chance to consider Davies as a pick but may have to leave him out this time round.

Sergio Garcia

Ok, so he hasn't had a very good season and he has decided to go on holiday this week rather than come to Gleneagles and try and win the tournament.

Also, he may have said earlier this year that he didn't want to be picked because he wasn't playing well enough.

BUT

He has played in the last five matches, accumulating an outstanding 16.5 points in that time.

He has won multiple times either side of the Atlantic and despite never winning a major, he has come very close a number of times.

Plus he is a huge personality and a great bloke to have around the camp so you can never rule him out

Others with a chance...

Alvaro Quiros - The big hitter could still make the team with a good week at Gleneagles. His power could prove an asset in the Match Play format.

Ross Mcgowan - He is still in with a shout of automatic qualification with a good showing in Scotland.

Simon Dyson - Dyson has been impressive of late, finishing in a tie for 12th at the recent PGA Championship and coming close last week in Czech Republic

Oliver Wilson - Despite needing a mathematical miracle to make it automatically, a good showing in his debut two years ago mean he could be considered