Westwood confident Europe's six Ryder Cup rookies are ready

Worksop golfer Lee Westwood believes Europe's six Ryder Cup rookies will be ready for anything when they attempt to secure an unprecedented fourth straight victory at Hazeltine next month.

Captain Darren Clarke was reluctant to add another debutant to the five who qualified automatically, but ultimately "found it impossible" not to select Belgium's Thomas Pieters, who finished fourth in the Olympics, second in the Czech Masters and won in Denmark on Sunday.

Sheffield golfers Danny Willett (L) and Matthew Fitzpatrick both automatically qualified for the Ryder Cup Credit: PA

That means Europe's side will contain six rookies for the first time since Celtic Manor in 2010 and the most since seven were on the team at Brookline in 1999."Let's make no bones about it, I think it will be tough," admitted Westwood, who will make his 10th consecutive appearance in the biennial event after being selected along with fellow former world number one Martin Kaymer.