Sam Hutsby says Europe Ryder Cup star Justin Rose is an inspiration to him.

Liphook player Hutsby, who has just secured a place back on the European Tour next season, will be cheering on his fellow Hampshire ace, as well as the rest of Paul McGinley’s team, this week.

“I really hope Justin does well, for himself, for Europe and for Hampshire,” said the 25-year-old, who is fresh off his win in the Kazakhstan Open, on the Challenge Tour.

“He’s been a massive role model for me, and I would like to follow in his footsteps. The Ryder Cup is a very inspiring thing for me. It’s a goal I would like to achieve in my career.”

Hutsby, from Lee-on-the-Solent, believes McGinley’s wildcard selections of Stephen Gallacher, Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood were the right calls, adding to an excellent European squad, but he has cautioned against writing off the US.

“It’s a really strong team,” he said. “The captain’s picks were really good.

“The course suits the Europeans but the Americans have got such strong players, and a lot of depth, so their team is nothing to be sniffed at.

“It’s so hard to predict, but I’m backing the Europeans.”