Padraig Harrington would select Darren Clarke as one of his two captain's picks if he was selecting Europe's Ryder Cup team - and he would also seriously consider including Colin Montgomerie.
However, the Irishman acknowledged that there was no guarantee that captain Nick Faldo would see things the same way when he makes his two wild card selections this Sunday to complete his 12-man line-up to take on the Americans in Kentucky.
"I don't see how you couldn't pick Clarke," Open and US PGA Championship winner Harrington said ahead of the PGA Tour's Deutsche Bank Championship.
"He's won twice this year, his form has been very good in recent weeks and he's played on five Ryder Cups and had four winning teams. And he's a natural partner to Lee Westwood.
"If you had everybody picking, I think Clarke would be a lock, but obviously Nick could see different reasons. But if I was picking, I'd be picking Darren.
"Darren carries stature into the Ryder Cup, which is very important. When you tee it up on the first tee, you want your opposition standing there and feeling that they're coming up against somebody who has a bit of stature. Darren has that, and Monty has that too."
Speaking of Montgomerie, Harrington believes he has a case for selection, notwithstanding his recent poor form.
"The guy has played eight Ryder cups, has never lost a singles match, and he's due a consideration," added Harrington.
"My opinion is that until he loses a singles match maybe he should be given a chance."
Harrington acknowledged that Montgomerie needed to play well at the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles this week to justify a captain's pick, especially with Paul Casey and Ian Poulter also having solid cases for selection.
"It could all change this week," added Harrington. "Two months ago, you would have picked Monty. Paul Casey has had a very solid two months, and two months ago Ian Poulter finished second at the Open.
"You've got four players playing for two spots. All four have a case for being picked. It's going to be tough and two guys are going to be unhappy.
"The fact they haven't played their way in, if they don't get picked they can't complain."
This week Harrington will look to secure a berth over the weekend at the PGA Tour's Deutsche Bank Championship, which starts on Friday, after missing the cut last year.
The tournament is the second of four tournaments in the tour's play-off series, with only 120 players eligible compared to 144 at last week's Barclays tournament.
Only 70 will advance to next week's BMW Championship, with 30 qualifying for the Tour Championship to be played in four weeks, immediately after the Ryder Cup.
"It wasn't far away from being good," he said. "I just hope I don't make those same mental errors this week, but there's nothing I've got to find in my swing, or anything like that."
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