McIlroy could be youngest Ryder Cup player

By Brian Keogh

Rory McIlroy could smash Sergio Garcia's record and become the youngest ever Ryder Cup player next year.

As things stand, McIlroy would automatically qualify for the side if the qualifying process ended today as he is 10th in the European World Points List and eighth in European Points List thanks to his amazing third place finish in St Andrews on Sunday.

And if he makes the team for the matches at Valhalla from 19-21 September next year he will beat Garcia's record as the youngest ever participant by FOUR months and Tiger Woods by almost three years.

Garcia was 19 years, 8 months and 15 days old at Brookline in 1999 but McIlroy would be 19 years, 4 months and 15 days old on the first day of the matches in Kentucky.

The top five from the World Points List and the top five from the European Points List after Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles on 31 August 2008 make the side automatically.

Skipper Nick Faldo then completes his 12 man line up with two wildcards.

Youngest Europeans
Rory McIlroy in 2008? (would be 19 years, 4 months, 15 days if he qualifies next year)
Sergio Garcia in 1999 age 19 years, 8 months, 15 days
Nick Faldo in 1977 age 20 years, 1 months, 28 days
Paul Way in 1983 age 20 years, 7 months, 3 days
Bernard Gallacher in 1969 age 20 years, 7 months, 9 days
Ken Brown in 1977 age 20 years, 8 months, 7 days

Youngest Americans
Horton Smith in 1929 age 21 years and 4 days
Tiger Woods in 1997 age 21 years, 8 months, 27 days

Current European Ryder Cup team (First five from World Points List, next five from European Points List)
Nick Dougherty 53.32
Justin Rose 50.21
Søren Hansen 47.44
Lee Westwood 44.90
Phillip Archer 43.17*
Ian Poulter 308218.00
Bradley Dredge 233701.03
Rory McILROY 226450.40
Paul Lawrie 197959.60
Niclas Fasth 178103.72

Current lists (* indicates qualifying position)
Ryder Cup World Points List
1 Nick Dougherty 53.32*
2 Justin Rose 50.21*
3 Søren Hansen 47.44*
4 Lee Westwood 44.90*
5 Phillip Archer 43.17*
6 Ian Poulter 29.56
7 Sergio Garcia 28.20
8 Bradley Dredge 24.00
9 Alastair Forsyth 20.00
10 RORY MCILROY 19.20
15 Padraig Harrington 13.89

Ryder Cup European Points List
1 Dougherty 621834.96
2 Westwood 565972.31
3 Phillip Archer 459936.21
4 Soren Hansen 400005.27
5 Rose 375080.90
6 Poulter 308218.00*
7 Dredge 233701.03*
8 RORY MCILROY 226450.40*
9 Paul Lawrie 197959.60*
10 Niclas Fasth 178103.72*
22 Graeme McDowell 94342.37
28 Padraig Harrington 80005.27
33 Paul McGinley 66096.77