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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Sport
Jack Watson

Team Europe Ryder Cup announcement LIVE: Thomas Bjorn picks Ian Poulter, Sergio Garcia, Henrik Stenson and Paul Casey

Team Europe will look to reclaim the Ryder Cup after a humbling defeat two years ago at Hazeltine, with captain Thomas Bjorn putting the final plans into place after announcing his four wild card picks.

Francesco Molinari, Justin Rose, Tyrell Hatton, Tommy Fleetwood, Jon Rahm, Rory McIlroy, Alex Noren and Thorbjorn Olesen have already secured their place on Bjorn's team for the competition, which begins on 28 September at Le Golf National in south-west Paris.

And completing that line-up will be Ryder Cup stalwart Ian Poulter, former Open champion Henrik Stenson, 2017 Masters winner Sergio Garcia and in-form Paul Casey, with Bjorn announcing his wild cards earlier on Wednesday afternoon. However, as always that leaves the unlucky few ruing an opportunity missed, with the likes of Rafa Cabrera-Bello, Matt Wallace, Thomas Pieters and Matt Fitzpatrick all missing out.

US captain Jim Furyk handed Tiger Woods a wild card entry last night after he finished sixth in the Open and second in the PGA Championship to remove any lingering doubt about his place on the team, with Phil Mickelson and Bryson DeChambeau his two other picks - with one more to be confirmed next week. Follow the live announcement and the latest reaction below...

Live Updates

15:21

Au Revoir

Full Europe team: Justin Rose, Francesco Molinari, Tyrrell Hatton, Tommy Fleetwood, Jon Rahm, Rory McIlroy, Alex Noren, Thorbjorn Olesen, Paul Casey, Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter, Henrik Stenson. 

Full US team: Brooks Koepka, Justin Thomas, Dustin Johnson, Patrick Reed, Bubba Watson, Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler, Webb Simpson, Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Bryson DeChambeau. (12th pick TBC)

That is all from our live coverage of Europe's wild card picks. Just over three weeks until it all begins in Paris on 28 September. Can't wait! 

 
15:08
Ooooh nice video, this. 
14:55

A detailed look at the profiles of the four wild card picks

 

Ian Poulter

Age 42

Ryder Cup appearances 5 (2004, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014)

Record Won 12 Lost 4 Halved 2

Majors 0

Nicknamed 'The Postman' because he always delivers a point, Poulter was forced to settle for a vice-captaincy role in 2016 due to injury and looked to have lost his PGA Tour card in 2017 before a mistake in the way his points had been calculated was spotted by a fellow player. Finished second in the Players Championship in his next event and won the Houston Open in 2018, his first victory since 2012, to get into the Masters.

 

Paul Casey

Age 41

Ryder Cup appearances 3 (2004, 2006, 2008)

Record Won 3 Lost 2 Halved 4

Majors 0

Famously overlooked for a wild card by Colin Montgomerie in 2010 despite being ranked seventh in the world at the time, Casey later gave up his European Tour membership and only rejoined at the end of 2017 with the Ryder Cup in mind. Won his first PGA Tour title since 2009 in the Valspar Championship in March, finishing a shot ahead of a rejuvenated Tiger Woods. Strong match play record includes victory in the HSBC World Match Play at Wentworth in 2006 and twice being runner-up in the WGC Match Play.

 

Henrik Stenson (Sweden)

Age 42

Ryder Cup appearances 4 (2006, 2008, 2014, 2016)

Record Won 7 Lost 7 Halved 2

Majors 1 (2016 Open)

Played a vital part in the victory at Gleneagles in 2014, combining with Justin Rose to win all three of their matches together, although the same pair could only win one of their three matches at Hazeltine. Claimed his first major title with a record-breaking performance in the Open at Royal Troon in 2016 and claimed silver behind Rose in golf's return to the Olympics in Rio. Ongoing elbow injury could be a concern.

 

Sergio Garcia (Spain)

Age 38

Ryder Cup appearances 8 (1999, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2012, 2014, 2016)

Record Won 19 Lost 11 Halved 7

Majors 1 (2017 Masters)

A talismanic figure for Europe, so much so that he was brought in as a vice-captain by Montgomerie in 2010 despite becoming disenchanted with golf and taking a two-month break from playing. However, after averaging 3.75 points in his first four Ryder Cup appearances, the Spaniard has averaged just 1.88 in his last four and has missed the cut in his last five major starts. His sole top 10 since March did at least come on the Ryder Cup course.

Via PA

14:42

Bjorn selected a veteran quartet to accompany a young-looking rookie core

Thomas Bjorn has gambled on experience for his Ryder Cup wildcard picks, surprisingly picking Sergio Garcia despite the Spaniard missing the cut at his last five majors and saying that heading to the tournament without him would be like “a football team without their captain.”

14:39

Matt Wallace and Matthew Fitzpatrick hoping to bounce-back at Omega European Masters after missing out

Englishmen Matt Wallace and Matthew Fitzpatrick will look to put the disappointment of missing out on Ryder Cup selection behind them at the Omega European Masters.

Wallace won his third European Tour title of the year with a brilliant final-round display in Denmark under the watchful eye of Ryder Cup captain Thomas Bjorn but it was not enough to sneak into a wild card pick.

"Different challenges this week but it is my second time here now, so I know a bit more of what to expect," the 28-year-old told a press conference. "If I can prepare as well as I do normally and get in the hunt, my mind and my heart can take over."

Fitzpatrick returns as defending champion after just missing out on automatic qualification for the Ryder Cup last week and failing to earn a wild card.

"I feel like I have been playing solidly all year really, I've just not had any momentum or anything go my way, and not making the important putts unfortunately," said the Yorkshireman.

"Hopefully I can do that this week and kick on for the rest of the year and pick up a win."

Via PA

SOCIAL
14:35
"This was easy": some early Twitter reaction to the wild card selections 
 
 
 
14:29
Europe's team the best ever, says Stenson
 
"It means a lot, I've got some of my greatest memories being part of a European Ryder Cup team. I'll focus on Paris, it's going to be a great venue, Europe has as strong a team as we have ever had."
 
 
14:26
Ian Poulter: Ryder Cup trophy kept my heart beating
 
"It feels extra special to be part of this team, for Thomas to give me the call yesterday was special. When you look at the European team on paper I'm getting goosebumps talking about it," Ian Pouler told Sky Sports
 
"Medinah is a long time ago. When i think back to that crazy finish it was a very special moment for me, I'll take that and keep it with me for a long time. For me to know I'm going to be part of another team just keeps me going. It's been a tough two years and that little gold trophy kept my heart beating."
 
14:23
Paul Casey honoured on return
 
"I'm very honoured, I'm so excited. I've had ups and downs in my career and at times questioned the success i would have in the future but I've stayed consistent. I've played very good golf in the last few years. I'm playing some of the best golf I've ever played. Once I announced my intentions to Thomas it was full tilt. This is the tip of the iceberg, we have to push onto Paris and win. 
 
"We (Thomas) came together earlier this year in Malaysia and I gave him 100 per cent there on and off the golf course. Last time I played it was a very different team and it looks like a great US team so far. It's a formidable challenge and I'm up for that."
14:20
Sergio Garcia thankful to Thomas Bjorn after "tough year"
 
"It feels amazing, I'm very thankful for Thomas for believing in me i know that it was not an easy decision he knows what I bring to the team inside the team room. It's been a tough year. I've been working hard, Now i'm being as ready as I can be to help the European team to win that cup back," Sergio Garcia told Sky Sports.
 
"It is very exciting for me to be part of a Ryder Cup team, I'm going to give everything I have on the course and in the team room with some of the rookies, to make them more comfortable."
 
14:14
Full European team
 
Ian Poulter 
Paul Casey
Henrik Stenson
Sergio Garcia
Francesco Molinari
Justin Rose
Tyrell Hatton
Tommy Fleetwood
Jon Rahm
Rory McIlroy
Alex Noren
Thorbjorn Olesen
 
 
"They bring so much to European golf. I'm confident that this group of guys can do the job," said European captain Thomas Bjorn.
14:11
Henrik Stenson
 
Thomas Bjorn: "The person he is is great for looking after some of the youngsters, he is a strong player. These four all bring so much to the Ryder Cup, they bring loads of experience, they know what it feels to win and lose."
BREAKING NEWS
14:10

Henrik Stenson completed the wild card picks

 
14:09
Ian Poulter
 
Thomas Bjorn: "There's a thing about Ian when he gets confident, i met him in the parking lot in Augusta he went: "I'm going to make this time".  Winning golf tournaments is important but the frame of mind is very important."
14:08

Ian Poulter is the third pick 

 
14:07
Segio Garcia makes the team
 
Thomas Bjorn: "It's like a football team going without their captain, that's what he is. People around the Ryder Cup team realise how much be brings to it. He makes everybody around him better, we talk about it,. what it great, he isd what is great. He is everything that the Ryder Cup is all about. He missed 2010 when he was struggling but i watched hi as a player and vice captain and i have so much belief he can deliver."
14:05

Sergio Garcia is in

 
14:05
Paul Casey returns to the Ryder Cup team
 
Thomas Bjorn: "The conversations we've had he's really shown he's missed this part of his life. he's done well to get back and it's really a no brainer to bring him back. He's world class, he brings world class golf to the team.
 
"In the Ryder Cup he has shown his pedigree."
BREAKING NEWS
14:03

Paul Casey is in

 
14:03

Thomas Bjorn

"There's a lot of guys, its not been easy but on the other hand it is a privilege to have that many to chose from. And making choices is not all easy but it's been great."

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