Darren Clarke not concerned about having six Ryder Cup rookies in Europe team

Darren Clarke reacts after being named the captain of Europe's Ryder Cup team on February 18, 2015
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Europe captain Darren Clarke insists that he is not concerned about having six Ryder Cup rookies in his team ahead of this week's showdown at Hazeltine.

Europe captain Darren Clarke has insisted that he is not concerned about having six Ryder Cup rookies in his team at Hazeltine.

The showdown against the USA gets underway in Minnesota on Friday, with Europe hunting for a fourth consecutive victory.

There may be a lack of Ryder Cup experience in the team, but Clarke is confident in his players - particularly as one of the rookies is Masters champion Danny Willett.

"We have six first-timers on the team this year, but of those guys, one of them is a Masters champion and those guys play a lot of their golf over here now anyway," Clarke said in a press conference. "I know The Ryder Cup is a totally different animal altogether, but those guys are ready and they are prepared.

"They have spoken a lot to the vice captains and myself over this build-up into the tournament, and they know what to expect. The home support is going to be loud, it's going to be vociferous and rightly so; that's the way it should be. That's what makes The Ryder Cup so special.

"They are all so keen to get out there and play and savour the whole atmosphere of the Ryder Cup. There's a wonderful mixture of youth in there, as well. And from a European point of view, they are really looking forward to it. They are excited."

The team includes Rory McIlroy, Rafa Cabrera-Bello, Sergio Garcia, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Martin Kaymer, Thomas Pieters, Justin Rose, Henrik Stenson, Andy Sullivan, Lee Westwood, Chris Wood and Willett.

A hench Rory McIlroy in action during the first round of The Masters on April 7, 2016
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