Journeyman vows to quit partying to make Luke Donald's 2025 Ryder Cup side
German DP World Tour pro Marcel Siem is targeting a spot in Luke Donald's 2024 Ryder Cup side at Bethpage Black in New York.
German tour pro Marcel Siem has vowed to stop partying in a bid to make Luke Donald's 2025 Ryder Cup side.
Despite the biennial dust-up being more than 12 months away, preparations have already begun.
Donald has named two vice-captains and European golfers are trying to peak for when the qualification process begins.
Siem is in superb form this year and has enjoyed somewhat of a career resurgence over the last few years.
Las February, the 43-year-old ended a nine-year wait for a victory at the Hero Indian Open.
And he also prevailed again last week, taking down Tom McKibbin in a playoff to clinch the Italian Open.
Talking to the Sky Sports Golf podcast, the Siem has outplayed his big plans going forward.
"The big plan is to perform better in the big events now, which I have not achieved ever in my life," he told the pod.
"The Rolex events, the majors, the big ones – that is the only way to get into the top 50 in the world, get into the Ryder Cup and qualify for The Masters.
"That is my big goal going to the Scottish Open and The Open. I will not throw this away with partying anymore.
"I have three or four weeks off after The Open and this will be party time, trust me – massively, but these three weeks I'll be working hard."
Siem's victory in Italy was his sixth overall on the European circuit.
It looked as though he had thrown away the win after faltering on the back nine.
The aforementioned McKibbin was surprised at the mere prospect he might be heading to a playoff and his caddie had already left the course.
But Siem drained a bomb at the 72nd to take the contest to extra holes. Siem then made birdie on the first playoff hole to seal the win.
He is currently ranked 129th in the Official World Golf Ranking and hasn't been inside the top 50 since 2013.
The 2025 Ryder Cup will be played over 25-28 September at Bethpage Black in New York.
Donald's counterpart is yet to be named.
Tiger Woods has confirmed he is in talks with the PGA of America about assuming the role.
But it remains to be seen whether the hall of famer will be able to commit to the role, given his responsibilities on the PGA Tour's policy board.
If Woods turns down the role, it's likely Stewart Cink or Fred Couples will be named the next Team USA captain.