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Colsaerts coming for Kaymer's Ryder Cup spot

Nicolas Colsaerts can still qualify automatically for the Ryder Cup © Getty Images

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It will be standing room only in the last-chance saloon this week, as a host of players try to force their way into Jose Maria Olazabal's European Ryder Cup team.

The Johnnie Walker Championship will see Nicolas Colsaerts try and dislodge Martin Kaymer from an automatic qualification place, while others will hope to force Olazabal's hand for a captain's pick by producing something special. Colsaerts needs to win or finish tied second with no more than two other players this week.

Olazabal has two discretionary picks - but it's taken as read that one of those will go to Ian Poulter, leaving the likes of Rafael Cabrera-Bello and David Lynn (who are playing at Gleneagles this week), as well as Padraig Harrington (who isn't), facing an anxious wait to see if they'll be granted the other. And even then, they'll have to hope they're favoured over Kaymer or Colsaerts when Olazabal announces his final squad on August 27.

Williams' wager

• Nicolas Colsaerts E/W - 12/1 at bet365
  

The Johnnie Walker has previous when it comes to last-gasp Ryder Cup drama: in 2010, Edoardo Molinari earned a spot on the team with a brilliant victory at the tournament.

Looking at the stats from previous years, it's hard to discern much of a pattern: in 2011, all of the high finishers were also at the top of the driving distance stats - 12 months previously, that wasn't the case at all.

This year, with the forecast for rain to soften the course (but, crucially, only mild winds), I can see the bombers once again congregating towards the top of the leaderboard. And that being so, I'm going to put faith on Colsaerts displacing Kaymer, the former world No. 1, from the Ryder Cup team.

Colsaerts whacks the ball miles - averaging close to 320 yards on the European Tour this season - and has shown a liking for playing in Scotland, placing third at the Scottish Open last year. He arrives in fine form, having just finished the Wyndham Championship in America at 13-under, and won't be lacking for motivation. Well worth a play. Good luck!

Please note that odds are correct at time of publication and are subject to change.

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