You really do not need to promote a Ryder Cup these days, but the past couple of weeks have been just brilliant advertisement for the much-anticipated biennial event.

The announcement of the wildcard picks by the rival captains dominate the days leading up to the tournament, but adding further spice this year is the fact that the two leading stars on either sides — Rory McIlroy for Europe and Dustin Johnson for USA — have recorded brilliant wins in the past two weeks.

After McIlroy’s stunning effort at the Deutsche Bank Championship, where he came back from being four-over par after the first three holes, Johnson won his third title of the season at the BMW Championship last week with a most dominant display.

Crooked Stick, which became part of golfing history when John Daly won the 1991 PGA Championship there in the most extraordinary fashion, is not the easiest of golf courses. But Johnson made it look like municipal course as he shot 23-under par.

Like McIlroy, the key to Johnson’s game is his driving. That athletic frame of his generates immense power and he manages to reach territories that are almost unknown to other golfers. Paul Casey is not exactly short off the tee, but even the man known as ‘Popeye’ on the Tour because of his massive forearms, was almost 10-15 yards short of Johnson on most holes.

There is a big difference when you are hitting wedges and short irons into the greens compared to others. Of course, it doesn’t guarantee you success, but it gives you more opportunities to score better. What does ensure low scores is your short game, and this is one area of the game where Johnson does not get as much credit as he should.

I think he is phenomenal on and around the greens, but like Tiger Woods before him, people are so enamoured by his power game that they do not talk about his incredible putting and chipping skills as much.

The one interesting coincidence in both McIlroy and Johnson’s wins was the fact that they both changed their putters before the start of the tournament. Perhaps that is the key to doing well! I think I am going to change mine as well!

Meanwhile, Davis Love III named his three wildcard picks and I must admit I was surprised Bubba Watson was not a part of it. The three wildcards were handed to Rickie Fowler, Matt Kuchar and JB Holmes.

I do understand that Bubba has struggled with his form this year. He has won a tournament and was a runner-up, but all that came in the first three months of the year. Also, he does not have the best Ryder Cup record, which is understandable as most Americans don’t have a good record in the past three editions.

Bubba now has a last chance to impress Love at the Tour Championship. Given he is announcing his last wildcard after the tournament at East Lake, I think it will provide the Americans in the field an added incentive to do well. Let’s see how they respond.

— Jeev Milkha Singh is a four-time champion on the European Tour