Langer states case for Ryder slot
Bernhard Langer today made a passionate plea for a place in the European team that will seek to regain the Ryder Cup from the United States.
Langer is desperate to make a 10th Ryder Cup appearance when The Belfry hosts the match on 28-30 September. But despite finishing joint third behind David Duval in the Open Championship at Royal Lytham, the German is still not assured of inclusion.
The top 10 in the Ryder Cup rankings at the conclusion of the BMW International in six weeks gain automatic selection. Team captain Sam Torrance completes his line-up with two wildcard picks.
Langer has found success in the United States this season. But prize money won in American tournaments that are neither majors nor world championship events do not count for points on the European team table. As a result, he languishes in 14th place.
Langer said: "I was best European in the Masters, I was second best in this major, and I was best in the 'fifth' major which is the Tournament Players Championship. So I was very much at the top of European golf in three of the biggest events we have played this year.
"I have had other good performances, so hopefully Sam will consider me if I don't make my way straight in. I understand that other guys are playing very well, but with my form I believe I should be there."
The other guys Langer referred to are Sergio Garcia of Spain and Sweden's Jesper Parnevik, who are scheduled to play in only two more events that count towards the European rankings - the US PGA Championship and the World Championship NEC Invitational in August.
LEADING RYDER CUP STANDINGS
1 D Clarke (N Ire) 1,921,301.08pts
2 T Bjorn (Den) 1,583,391.69
3 P Harrington (Irl) 1,535,549.95
4 P Fulke (Swe) 1,191,990.16
5 L Westwood (Eng) 1,064,353.96
6 Niclas Fasth (Swe) 961,147.55
7 C Montgomerie (Sco) 895,274.77
8 P Price (Wal) 791,862.22
9 P McGinley (Irl) 759,242.83
10 A Coltart (Sco) 703,676.42
11 M Gronberg (Swe) 696,488.68
12 I Woosnam (Wal) 673,298.93
13 A Oldcorn (Sco) 651,685.16
14 B Langer (Ger) 642,785.03
15 R Karlsson (Swe) 641,104.51
16 M Angel Jimenez (Sp) 628,421.02
17 J Maria Olazabal (Sp) 617,626.98
18 S Garcia (Sp) 617,236.92
19 T Levet (Fr) 576,235.50
20 I Poulter (Eng) 571,316.60.
