Ryder Cup: Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter receive European wildcards | CNN

Ryder Cup: Ian Poulter and Sergio Garcia receive Europe wildcards

By Rob Hodgetts, CNN
4 minute read
Updated 11:01 AM EDT, Wed September 5, 2018
Europe's talisman will make his sixth Ryder Cup appearance and first as a player since 2014 after acting as a vice-captain two years ago. The Englishman has an impressive Ryder Cup record and was the driving force behind Europe's remarkable comeback in the "Miracle at Medinah" in 2012.
Ian Poulter —
Europe's talisman will make his sixth Ryder Cup appearance and first as a player since 2014 after acting as a vice-captain two years ago. The Englishman has an impressive Ryder Cup record and was the driving force behind Europe's remarkable comeback in the "Miracle at Medinah" in 2012.
Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images
The Spanish veteran has endured a tough season but earned a wildcard pick from captain Thomas Bjorn for his role as the "heartbeat" of the European Ryder Cup team. Garcia will make his ninth appearance for Europe in Paris.
Sergio Garcia —
The Spanish veteran has endured a tough season but earned a wildcard pick from captain Thomas Bjorn for his role as the "heartbeat" of the European Ryder Cup team. Garcia will make his ninth appearance for Europe in Paris.
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
The Italian sealed his place at the top of the qualification rankings with his maiden major victory in the British Open at Carnoustie in July. The consistent Molinari played in the 2010 and 2012 Ryder Cups.
Francesco Molinari —
The Italian sealed his place at the top of the qualification rankings with his maiden major victory in the British Open at Carnoustie in July. The consistent Molinari played in the 2010 and 2012 Ryder Cups.
GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images
England's former US Open champion and Olympic gold medalist will be making his fifth appearance in the matchplay event and boasts an impressive record of 11 wins and two halves in his 19 matches.
Justin Rose —
England's former US Open champion and Olympic gold medalist will be making his fifth appearance in the matchplay event and boasts an impressive record of 11 wins and two halves in his 19 matches.
Tim Bradbury/Getty Images
The Englishman will make his Ryder Cup debut in Paris after an impressive qualification period which yielded two wins last autumn and tied sixth in June's US Open. The 26-year-old was in contention to win the PGA Tour's second FedEx Cup playoff event Sunday before sliding to 12th.
Tyrrell Hatton —
The Englishman will make his Ryder Cup debut in Paris after an impressive qualification period which yielded two wins last autumn and tied sixth in June's US Open. The 26-year-old was in contention to win the PGA Tour's second FedEx Cup playoff event Sunday before sliding to 12th.
Andrew Redington/Getty Images
The fast-rising Fleetwood has been one of golf's big noises this season, with a runner-up finish at the US Open and five other top-five finishes in the PGA Tour. The 27-year-old is another European debutant but his form suggests he will be a big danger.
Tommy Fleetwood —
The fast-rising Fleetwood has been one of golf's big noises this season, with a runner-up finish at the US Open and five other top-five finishes in the PGA Tour. The 27-year-old is another European debutant but his form suggests he will be a big danger.
Andrew Redington/Getty Images
The US-based Spaniard has risen to world No. 5 and is part of golf's new power generation. The 23-year-old, a former top-ranked amateur, is one of five European rookies in Paris.
Jon Rahm —
The US-based Spaniard has risen to world No. 5 and is part of golf's new power generation. The 23-year-old, a former top-ranked amateur, is one of five European rookies in Paris.
Andy Lyons/Getty Images
Northern Ireland's four-time major champion is one of Europe's powerhouses and can be devastating in the right mood. McIlroy is playing on his fifth straight Ryder Cup team and has won nine of his 19 matches with four halves.
Rory McIlroy —
Northern Ireland's four-time major champion is one of Europe's powerhouses and can be devastating in the right mood. McIlroy is playing on his fifth straight Ryder Cup team and has won nine of his 19 matches with four halves.
Stuart Franklin/Getty Images
The 36-year-old Swede is one of the stalwarts of the European Tour but a first-timer in the Ryder Cup after an impressive season which has included victory in the French Open at tournament venue Le Golf National outside Paris.
Alex Noren —
The 36-year-old Swede is one of the stalwarts of the European Tour but a first-timer in the Ryder Cup after an impressive season which has included victory in the French Open at tournament venue Le Golf National outside Paris.
Stuart Franklin/Getty Images
The Dane clinched the eighth and last automatic spot with a strong finish to the qualifying period which ended Sunday. The 28-year-old, who won the Italian Open in June, is the fifth rookie on countryman Bjorn's side.
Thorbjorn Olesen —
The Dane clinched the eighth and last automatic spot with a strong finish to the qualifying period which ended Sunday. The 28-year-old, who won the Italian Open in June, is the fifth rookie on countryman Bjorn's side.
GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images
England's Casey make his return to the Ryder Cup after a 10-year hiatus after recommitting to playing sufficient European Tour events to be eligible for a spot on the team. The 41-year-old, a former world No.3, has played on three previous Ryder Cup teams, winning in 2004 and 2006 when he made a hole in one during one of his matches.
Paul Casey —
England's Casey make his return to the Ryder Cup after a 10-year hiatus after recommitting to playing sufficient European Tour events to be eligible for a spot on the team. The 41-year-old, a former world No.3, has played on three previous Ryder Cup teams, winning in 2004 and 2006 when he made a hole in one during one of his matches.
Andrew Redington/Getty Images
The ice-cool Swede earned one of Bjorn's four wildcard picks by virtue of his big-match experience and the level-headed qualities he brings to the team room. Stenson, who beat Phil Mickelson in a classic duel to win the 2016 British Open, has played on four previous European teams.
Henrik Stenson —
The ice-cool Swede earned one of Bjorn's four wildcard picks by virtue of his big-match experience and the level-headed qualities he brings to the team room. Stenson, who beat Phil Mickelson in a classic duel to win the 2016 British Open, has played on four previous European teams.
Andy Lyons/Getty Images
Ryder Cup 2018: European team in photos

Story highlights

Ian Poulter, Paul Casey, Sergio Garcia, Henrik Stenson picked for Europe

Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Bryson DeChambeau US picks

Ryder Cup set for Le Golf National, Paris from Sept.28

CNN  — 

Europe’s Ryder Cup talisman Ian Poulter received a wildcard to make his sixth appearance in the biennial competition against the United States in Paris later this month.

The Englishman was one of captain Thomas Bjorn’s four picks, alongside countryman Paul Casey, Spain’s Sergio Garcia and Swede Henrik Stenson, for the event at Le Golf National.

The quartet join the eight players who qualified automatically for Bjorn’s team – Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hatton, Rory McIlroy, Francesco Molinari, Alex Noren, Thorbjorn Olesen, Jon Rahm and Justin Rose.

“These four bring so much to the Ryder Cup – loads of experience, loads of appearances, loads of points won and they know what it’s like to win and lose and they’ll come in with so much heart and soul,” said Denmark’s Bjorn as he announced his picks.

He added: “We know what we’re up against, we know what the US will bring but I’m confident we can do a good job.”

Europe has won six of the last eight Ryder Cups, but USA is the defending champion after victory at Hazeltine in 2016.

The US has not won a Ryder Cup on European soil since Tom Watson’s team triumphed at The Belfry in England in 1993.

READ: Tiger Woods handed US Ryder Cup wildcard

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - DECEMBER 07: Thomas Bjorn poses with the Ryder Cup trophy as he is named 2018 Europe Ryder Cup Captain at Hilton Heathrow T5 on December 7, 2016 in London, England. The 2018 Ryder Cup will be held at Le Golf National in Guyancourt, France. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
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Ryder Cup: Europe's journey back to victory
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‘Goosebumps’

The 42-year-old Poulter has played on four winning Ryder Cup teams and was a vice-captain two years ago after his season was curtailed by injury.

Poulter’s Ryder Cup exploits have earned him the nickname “The Postman” – because “the postman always delivers” – and his inspired play at Medinah in Chicago in 2012 set in train Europe’s remarkable comeback victory.

Poulter birdied his closing five holes in the Saturday afternoon’s final fourball match alongside Rory McIlroy to earn Europe a vital point and drag it back to 10-6 down heading into the Sunday singles.

Europe’s subsequent triumph became known as the “Miracle at Medinah.”

Poulter, who has won 12 of his 18 matches and halved two, has been in good form this season with a victory on the PGA Tour in Houston and three other top-10 finishes.

“This feels extra special to be part of another Ryder Cup team,” Poulter told Sky Sports.

“For Thomas to give me the call means absolutely everything to me. It’s going to be an incredible spectacle, it’s going to be an extra-strong US team but when you look at the European team on paper I’m getting goosebumps. I can’t wait.”

Spain's Sergio Garcia has been described as the "heartbeat" of the European team.
Spain's Sergio Garcia has been described as the "heartbeat" of the European team.
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

‘Amazing team’

Garcia will make his ninth appearance despite a disappointing season in which he missed the cut in all four majors. The 38-year-old, who won the Masters for his first major title in 2017, earned his spot on the back of an impressive Ryder Cup pedigree.

“The one thing about Sergio is he is the heartbeat of the team,” Bjorn told Sky.

“It’s like a football team going without their captain. Not only is he a fantastic golfer but what he also brings is that he makes everybody around him better. He is what the European Ryder Cup is all about.”

Casey, 41, will make his fourth appearance but first since 2008 after recommitting himself to playing sufficient events on the European Tour to be eligible, while former Open champion Stenson will also be playing in his fourth Ryder Cup.

“I’ve put a lot into this, it’s tough to explain,” Casey told Sky. “It’s an amazing team and I’m very honored. I’m so excited.”

PARIS, FRANCE - OCTOBER 17: Thomas Bjorn of Denmark, Captain of the Team Europe poses for a portrait with the Ryder Cup during the Ryder Cup 2018 Year to Go Captains Official Photocal on October 17, 2017 in Paris, France. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
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On Tuesday, US captain Jim Furyk named Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Bryson DeChambeau as three of his four wildcards for the French showdown.

Already qualified for the US team were Rickie Fowler, Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Patrick Reed, Webb Simpson, Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas and Bubba Watson.

Furyk will name his final wildcard Monday. A number of players, including Tony Finau, Kevin Kisner and Xander Schauffele, are in the running.

Europe has five rookies on its team – Fleetwood, Hatton, Noren, Olesen, and Rahm – compared with two, former world No.1 Thomas and DeChambeau, so far for the USA.

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The Ryder Cup is set to begin at Le Golf National in France on September 28.