Golf-Rookies McDowell and Hansen state their Ryder Cup cases

By Norman Dabell

COLOGNE, Germany, Sept 10 (Reuters) - Ryder Cup rookies Graeme McDowell and Soren Hansen believe Europe's captain Nick Faldo will not let them sit in the wings until the singles in next week's match with the United States at Valhalla.

Briton McDowell and Denmark's Hansen are convinced they have too much to offer to be sidelined in the way rookies Jean Van de Velde, Jarmo Sandelin and Andrew Coltart were at Brookline in 1999 when they did not get a game until the final day.

"I'm looking forward to being on the tee Friday morning and hopefully putting a peg in the ground," McDowell told reporters on Wednesday at Gut Larchenhof on the eve of the Mercedes Benz Championship.

The Northern Irishman, already experienced at beating Americans in their own backyard during his highly successful collegiate years in the United States, believes that experience will count in his favour. He plumped for Irishman Padraig Harrington, winner of the last two majors, as his choice for playing partner.

"I think, probably along with another 10 players, I would love to play with Padraig, he's pretty much the best player in the world at the minute," McDowell said.

"And I think if I got a game with Padraig -- or Sergio (Garcia) - perhaps I could get thrown in a couple more times."

Hansen, who defends his title this week at Gut Larchenhof, felt that his consistency would earn him more than just a singles outing in Kentucky.

"I've played tremendous golf now for nearly two years straight and there has not been a tournament when I have not knocked on the door," Hansen told reporters. "So there is no reason why I shouldn't perform really well next week.