Thomas Pieters had no idea of Darren Clarke’s intentions, even after shooting the lights out with a 62 playing with the Ryder Cup captain on his way to victory in Denmark at the weekend.
No hint had come from the skipper beforehand. And none afterwards.
“Nothing,” he said. “I think you guys (the media) made it pretty clear that I had a chance of a wildcard but I didn’t know it was a realistic chance or not.
“He just said at the end, “well done”, that was it. “See you tomorrow, 7 am.”
When the news came, the Belgian didn’t exactly leap about his home in glee.
“I’m going to disappoint you, but not really,” he said. “ I’m not really a big celebrator.
“Maybe because I put my goals so high, but yeah, obviously I was delighted and I was super happy. We celebrated with my family a little bit. But it’s the next day, time to get back to work.
“I’m just proud of myself and amazed how much confidence Darren has in me. Today couldn’t be a better day.”
The 24-year-old has plenty US experience, after four years at the University of Illinois where he rose to be World Amateur No 1 and won the prestigious NCAA Championship – beating the University of Texas’ leading player Jordan Spieth.
“There’s no fear factor, only going to be a matter of deal with the crowds, I think” he continued. “I haven’t really played in front of a crowd that’s against you, so that will be interesting, but I’m sure I’ll be up for the task.
“I know Jordan, I’ve played against him. Hopefully we’ll have some fun out there.“
Westwood knew from the outset that he could expect few favours from his long-time close friend Clarke, but relished the chase.
“He said he wanted me to play my way on the team and not make any decisions difficult for him, so I was under no illusions there,” he said.
“I’ve tried to sort of play my way on and play consistently and show him I can do it, and I have really.
“I’ve got into contention in all of the big tournaments at some stage, really, even though a couple I haven’t finished off like the PGA at Wentworth and the U.S. Open, I’ve been in the second to last group going out the last day, obviously played well at the Masters.”
He thinks Pieters is a future star.
“I played with him in the first two rounds in Prague, and he played fantastic golf,” he said.
“I suppose everybody sees him as a bit of a bomber and a big hitter, which he is, but what impressed me was his pitching and his short game and his holing out.
“I think he’s got everything. I think he’s sort of like a star in waiting on The European Tour, although he’s already there to be perfectly honest.”
Martin Kaymer has also been impressed by his new team mate.
“It was always tough to pick another rookie, unless he has something very special and I think Thomas has something very special, because he hits the ball so far,” said the German.
“But it’s also mentally the way he handled the last rounds in Denmark. Needing to finish with three birdies and the whole last round when I played with him, he was very calm and very relaxed.
“I really think he enjoyed the challenge more than it stressed him out.”
