.Hes got a good opportunity to build some momeentum going into the finals and we

CARMEL, Ind. -- The Ryder Cup has been a big subplot to the FedEx Cup playoffs to date, with European captain Darren Clarke making his at-large picks last week and United States captain Davis Love III set to make three of his four selections on Monday after the BMW Championship.The criteria for making each team was set long ago, which doesnt quell the discussion especially as it relates to Europe -- which will see two high-ranking players sit out the matches basically because of their affiliation (or lack thereof) with the European Tour.Scotlands Russell Knox, ranked 19th in the world, and Englands Paul Casey, ranked 22nd, would undoubtedly be welcome additions to a European team with plenty of talent. Three at-large picks -- Lee Westwood, Martin Kaymer and Thomas Pieters -- are ranked considerably lower.Knox was the tough-luck loser when it came to the picks, having narrowly missed qualifying for the team; Casey was not eligible because he is not a member of the European Tour. But both players have an ally in Rory McIlroy, who will play in his fourth Ryder Cup.This years Ryder Cup begins three weeks from Friday at Hazeltine National in Minnesota.Ive always said it should be the best Europeans regardless of whether theyre a member of the tour or not, McIlroy said at the BMW Championship, where he was looking for a second straight win after his victory on Monday at the Deutsche Bank Championship.I think thats the hard thing. If Russell has been a member of the tour when he won in China (last fall), he makes the team. Pauls obviously playing well, but its a personal decision on Pauls part. He doesnt feel like he can play both tours and play two schedules, and thats very understandable.Casey made the decision late last year to not take up European Tour membership after unsuccessfully lobbying the tour for a reduction in tournaments required to be a member. He makes his home in Arizona and felt the five-event minimum (not including the majors and the World Golf Championship events) would be too many.Knox, however, was denied on a technicality; when he won the WGC-HSBC last November, he was not a member of the European Tour. When he joined, the points he would have earned were not retroactive; if Knox had gotten those points, he would have earned one of the top nine qualifying positions.As it was, he just missed out, and Clarke went with experience in Westwood and Kaymer and the long-hitting Pieters, who won the last qualifying event and was in contention at his two previous tournaments.Knox, 31, said he planned to use the snub as motivation in the FedEx Cup playoffs, which are in the third of four weeks. Knox is in seventh position, and if he can move into the top five heading to the Tour Championship in two weeks, he could win the $10 million FedEx Cup bonus with a victory at East Lake.I have to use this as a springboard to win the FedEx Cup, Knox said. Ive never wanted to prove someone wrong so badly in my life, I think. Its not sour grapes or anything; Darren had an extremely difficult decision and all of those guys were worthy of a pick.It should be noted that Europe has seemingly done just fine with this stipulation. It has won the past three Ryder Cups and eight of the past 10. Missing two of the top 22 players in the world is not considered a hardship.And the European Tour has used the Ryder Cup as a carrot to keep players competing on the tour. As it is, McIlroy, Sergio Garcia, Henrik Stenson, Danny Willett and Justin Rose also play on the PGA Tour.Martin Kaymer lost his PGA Tour membership this year, but is expected to regain it next year, while Westwood has also played the PGA Tour.I understand that, McIlroy said of the requirement. The Ryder Cup is a huge reason for guys to go back to Europe and play on the European Tour. But going forward, hopefully that isnt the only reason why guys are going to go back and play. I think thats what theyre trying to do and trying to change. The Ryder Cup is a huge incentive.Im sure Russell feels very hard done by it because hes had such a great year, but I still feel like the 12 guys that we have on the team are very capable and we have a great chance of winning it. Nelson Asofa-Solomonas absence will hurt Melbournes pack but Jesse Bromwich prefers to see the upside of his teammates one-game NRL ban.Storm were seething about the fact Asofa-Solomona was charged but ultimately accepted a one-match suspension, wanting to ensure he was available for week one of the finals.Bromwich admitted it was a setback for his side ahead of Saturday nights minor premiership decider against Cronulla at AAMI Park.But it can be a good thing, Bromwich added.It could freshen him up.Hes only a young fella, he could have played under-20s this year. It could be good for him to freshen up before the finals.In more pleasing news for the leader of Storms pack, Jordan McLean returned from a serious ankle injury in last weeks loss to Brisbane and pulled up well.Bromwich was thoroughly impressed with what McLean delivered in his 38 minutes against the Broncos.He was very strong out there and did some good things for us, Bromwich said of his fellow prop.Hes got a good opportunity to build some momeentum going into the finals and we come up against a big team this week and Macca could do a big job for us.ddddddddddddBromwich suggested his side would celebrate if they won the JJ Giltinan Shield, awarded to the ladder leaders at the end of the regular season.But New Zealands skipper was more worried about Melbourne bouncing back from a rare loss and rediscovering the fearsome form they exhibited for most of the year.Its very important we go into the finals series off the back of a good performance, Bromwich said.Coming first after 26 rounds is definitely a massive achievement but theres a bigger goal at the end of that .. our focus is more on playing good footy.Bromwich described a tough run to the finals as ideal preparation for September.Its like our finals started early, he said.(Broncos and Sharks are) very competitive teams so I dont know if finals will get any easier. 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