McIlroy: Ryder rookie Fowler deserved pick

RORY McILROY believes fellow young gun Rickie Fowler earned his Ryder Cup captain’s pick after winning the respect of American veterans on the PGA Tour.

McIlroy, 21, will face Fowler, five months his senior, at Celtic Manor on October 1-3 when Europe hosts the United States with American captain Corey Pavin making the Californian the first US wild card pick never to have won a professional tournament.

McIlroy, though, believes Fowler was a sound choice for Pavin to make.