Wednesday 28 September 2016 16:28, UK
Paul McGinley believes Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood need to start delivering better performances if the two Ryder Cup veterans are to feature in Darren Clarke's squad this autumn.
Poulter has fallen to his lowest world ranking in ten years having failed to register a top-10 finish on either the European Tour or PGA Tour since May, while Westwood has missed the cut in his only two appearances in 2016.
The pair were selected as captain's picks by Clarke for Europe's emphatic EurAsiaCup victory in January and have 14 Ryder Cup appearances between them, but McGinley feels they have plenty of work to do to justify any involvment in a playing capacity at Hazeltine.
"Poulter and Westwood would be the kind of guys Darren will be looking to show some kind of form to justify a pick," McGinley told Sky Sports. "They're the guys you want in your corner, but they will need to show some form.
"Would I pick Poulter on current form? Not at this moment in time, but Ian would be the first to admit that.
"Westwood's not near that list either at the moment, but all it takes is one big performance in the right week when a lot of points are available and he'll propel himself right back into the reckoning.
"It's still very early in the season and we've still got four majors to play and a huge amount of Ryder Cup points available, so there's still a lot that can happen.
"They've got a whole summer to come and the big tournaments to play in and, if they do well, I'll be very surprised if they're not considered for a captain's pick."
Europe head to Minnesota in September chasing a fourth consecutive win and their seventh in eight tournaments, with Westwood and Poulter having featured in victories in 2010, 2012 and 2014.
Clarke is likely to have a much-changed side to the one which McGinley guided to a 16.5-11.5 win at Gleneagles last time around, with the Irishman expecting to see several new faces in the European side.
"The team looks great at the moment, but there's a lot of water to pass under the bridge before qualifying finishes," McGinley added. "As the team stands, there's quite a bit of inexperience in there.
"The thoroughbreds are coming through with Justin Rose, Sergio Garcia and Henrik Stenson, and they - along with Rory McIlroy - have obviously played big parts in previous Ryder Cup contests.
"The likes of Andy Sullivan, Matt Fitzpatrick, Thomas Olesen and Thomas Pieters are all looking for their debuts. Danny Willett is showing some tremendous form as well and I'm sure he'll make the team.
"I think we'll be looking at around three rookies on Darren's team, but they are likely to be thoroughbred rookies with the likes of Andy and Danny in there.
"Sullivan went head-to-head with Rory McIlroy in the final event of the Race to Dubai last year, on a golf course completely suited to Rory, and he was just pipped at the post.
"That was a big insight into how strong Andy is mentally and he started the season very well this year in the Desert Swing, so I'll be very surprised if he doesn't make the Ryder Cup team."
