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 The 69-year-old Englishman, however, is less complimentary about
Scotland's Stephen Gallacher who is another player on the fringes of
selection for the side that will defend the trophy against the
United States at Gleneagles in September.
Florida-based Swede Blixt followed up his fourth place at the 2013
U.S. PGA Championship by finishing joint second behind Bubba Watson
in last month's U.S. Masters at Augusta on his first appearance at
the opening major of the season.
"There is no doubt Europe have some quality players," Jacklin told
Reuters in an interview during the BMW PGA Championship at
Wentworth.
"This guy Blixt impresses me, I must say. He is a determined
individual, he's mentally tough and I loved the way he contained
himself at Augusta.
"I always look out for the determination and mental toughness of
today's players and Blixt to me looked totally engaged in the job at
hand last month," added Europe's most successful Ryder Cup captain.
"There was no suggestion of him backing off, he looked as tough as"
... and Jacklin's voice suddenly trailed off as he banged his palm
on a wooden table for emphasis.
The winner of the 1969 British Open and 1970 U.S. Open also said he
liked what he saw in Frenchman Dubuisson, who claimed his first
European win when he eclipsed the likes of Tiger Woods and Justin
Rose at last year's Turkish Open, and Dutchman Luiten.
"I saw Dubuisson against Jason Day in the WGC Match Play final in
Arizona in February and Day looked dazed at times even though he
won," said Jacklin. "Dubuisson has gone a bit quiet since then but
he may just be getting accustomed to his new status.
NO FLUKE
"It takes time but clearly the kid's got talent and given a
level-playing field, and if he proves his recent performances were
no fluke, he'll be a decent addition to Europe's team.
"Dubuisson says he's a bit of a loner but I think he has a pleasant
disposition. He's got a nice demeanor about him and he is probably a
shoe-in for the team," added Jacklin who is the ambassador for
Glenmorangie, spirit of the British Open
(www.glenmorangie.com/golf).
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"We are probably going to have Luiten as well. He's pretty
consistent week in, week out. These guys are giving it their best
and they deserve a shot at it."
Jacklin, though, is less sure about Gallacher even though the Scot
has something of a Ryder Cup pedigree, being the nephew of multiple
former player and skipper Bernard.
Gallacher, another possible rookie at Gleneagles, recorded the third
European Tour victory of his career by landing the Dubai Classic
crown in February but the man who led Europe to two Ryder Cup wins,
one tie and one defeat from 1983-89 is not convinced with his
credentials.
"I'm not being unkind but Stephen looks a bit iffy sometimes, as if
he's not sure," said the Florida-based Englishman.
"He's a bit tender-minded maybe. You've got to have that mental
toughness. You've got to be able to walk through walls and be as
hard as nails.
"It was quoted once that the softest thing about me out on the
course was my teeth. You can be the nicest guy in the world when
you're off the course but when you're out there playing tournament
golf you've got to have that mental toughness."
(Editing by Patrick Johnston)
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