Ryder Cup: Europe wildcards to play United States finalised by Padraig Harrington
Ian Poulter, Sergio Garcia and Shane Lowry will play for Europe in this month’s Ryder Cup against the United States after being named as wildcard picks by captain Padraig Harrington.
Garcia is the record points scorer, while Poulter has been a talisman in his six previous appearances.
Lowry joins Viktor Hovland and Bernd Wiesberger as one of three debutants.
“I am absolutely thrilled with my team, we have the strongest 10, 11 and 12 we’ve ever had,” said Harrington.
World number one Jon Rahm, Tyrrell Hatton, Paul Casey, Matt Fitzpatrick, Tommy Fleetwood, Rory McIlroy, Lee Westwood, Hovland and Wiesberger all qualified through the rankings.
Europe are the defending champions after beating the US 17½-10½ at Le Golf National in France in 2018.
Poulter’s inclusion means half of the 12-strong team are English and Harrington said of the 45-year-old: “He is undefeated in singles. He lifts himself, he lifts his partners, he lifts the team.
“I’m getting a player who is in probably the best form of his life. He consistently motivates people around him. That’s so important to the team. I know I have players who are good enough to deliver and Poulter is at the heart of our team.”
On Spaniard Garcia, who is the record points scorer in the biennial event with 25½ from nine previous appearances, Harrington said he is “relying on him to be a team leader”.
“It’s the passion he brings to the team. He enjoys mentoring the younger players. I’ve seen what he brings to the other players,” he said.
And on his fellow Irishman Lowry, who won the 2019 Open Championship, Harrington said: “It was an easy pick.
“Shane is a big-time player. He delivers consistently under pressure. It was an easy pick. He definitely delivered for me and all the vice-captains.
“We don’t think of him as a rookie. He is one of our leading players.”
Lowry missed out on automatic qualification when he finished outside the top eight at the BMW PGA Championship on Sunday and Wiesberger ended joint 20th.
Westwood, 48, claimed the final qualification spot, despite a poor finish at Wentworth, and will tie Sir Nick Faldo’s record of 11 appearances.
Another Englishman, Justin Rose, is among those to miss out and Harrington added: “I would have been happy with him there but it was one spot too far.”
More to follow.
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