Pieters boosts RC chances with Made in Denmark win

After a four-hour weather delay, the in-form 24-year-old finished on 17 under par, one shot ahead of Briton Bradley Dredge, to secure his third European Tour title in the last year.

Thomas Pieters produced a brilliant finish to win his third European Tour title at the Made in Denmark and give European Ryder Cup Captain Darren Clarke plenty to think about.

It was Pieters’ second appearance at the Himmerland Golf and Spa Resort, where he tied for 35th previous year.

Clarke is scheduled to announce his three picks on Tuesday for Europe’s contest with the United States at Hazeltine from September 30 to October 2. He played the first two rounds with Clarke and opened with a course record-equalling 62 before giving a masterclass in scrambling in a level par 71 on Friday.

Dredge said: “Again, it was good chance to win, and 67 is a decent score out there but at the end of the day, it wasn’t overly hard today”.

The 24-year-old nearly holed his tee-shot to the par-three 16th, pitched to six inches for a tap-in birdie at 17, and he followed a ideal drive with a delightful approach to five feet at the last which he converted to seal his third European Tour title. “I’ve done all I can and we’ll just wait and see”. I came back well but ultimately just fell one short in the end.

Pieters was part of a four-way tie for the lead after he nearly holed his tee shot to the par-three 16th and tapped in for birdie, but knew that was not likely to be enough. “I saw I was one back walking to the green on 16 and I hit a great shot there but I knew I needed to make at least one more”.

But equally as impressive was the way he closed the tournament at Himmerland Golf & Spa Resort, almost acing the iconic par three 16th hole but settling for birdie, and then also picking up shots on the final two holes. “It’s a great feeling”. That’s very important. I’m very, very happy.

Clarke will name his three wild cards on Tuesday 30 August, live on rydercup.com at 12.30 BST.

As for his own prospects, the man who secured the point to retain the trophy at Medinah in 2012 added: ” I think I’ve done as much as I can, but it would be another great experience of a golfing career to play four Ryder Cups in a row.it would be fantastic”.