Nick Faldo has finally been named his wildcard picks for this year's European Ryder Cup team, he named two Englishmen Ian Poulter and Paul Casey and gave rise to a direct confrontation. Many thought that Poulter in particular have tried to automatically play in the Johnny Walker Championship at Gleneagles would qualify, but Poulter decided to go to the United States and an event that he had previously committed to play. There has been much speculation suggesting that Faldo hadhe had already awarded the contract, although this was strongly denied by both Faldo and Poulter.
Faldo was unapologetic, saying that he had to make a difficult decision, it was not easy, but he clearly believes that he has the right team for him. He stressed that Poulter was the highest in the world ranking, which had not qualified and that Casey was the best player tee to green, at the moment. His decision to leave Colin Montgomerie and Darren Clarke out of the page seems to have rankledwith the Scots and Northern Irish is the first Ryder Cup team in general, not involved with a Scotsman. Many thought that Clarke, the first pick because of his outstanding Ryder Cup and his record would have been very impressive victory at the KLM Open recently. Clarke had won twice on tour this year, while Poulter Casey has not won anything yet, although Poulter's final runner in the British Open in July.
The wildcard of course, will make the European team still look very young toon paper, but even so, it is an experienced side, with only four "newcomers", Soren Hansen, Justin Rose, Oliver Wilson and Graeme McDowell. Miguel Angel Jimenez is the oldest player at 44 and Oliver Wilson at 27 the youngest. Lee Westwood is among the most experienced, with five previous appearances. Team with world-class and the last Ryder Cup's Records:
1. Pádraig Harrington - Ireland
World Ranking - 3
Ryder Cup record - Played4:
Singles - Won 3, halved 0, Lost 1st
Foursomes - Won 2, Lost 3, halved 2nd
Fourball - Won 2, Lost 4th
2. Sergio García - Spain
World Ranking - 4
Ryder Cup record - Played 4th
Singles - Won 1, Lost 3, halved 0
Fousomes - Won 8, lost 0, 0 half.
Fourball - Won 5, Lost 1, 2 halved.
3. Henrik Stenson - Sweden
World Ranking - 6
Ryder Cup record - Played1
Singles - Won 0, lost 0, 1st half
Foursomes - Won 0, Lost 1, half 0
Fourball - Won 1, lost 0, 0 half.
4. Lee Westwood - England
World Ranking - 12th
Ryder Cup record - Played 5
Singles - Won 2, Lost 3, halved 0
Foursomes - Won 6, Lost 2, halved 2nd
Fourball - Won 6, Lost 3, halved 0
5. Justin Rose - England
World ranking - 14
Playing first RyderCup.
6. Miguel Angel Jimenez - Spain
World ranking - 18
Ryder Cup record - Played 2
Singles - Won 1, Lost 1, half 0
Foursomes - Won 0, Lost 2, halved 0
Fourball - Won 1, lost 0, 0 half.
7th Robert Karlsson - Sweden
World ranking - 21
Ryder Cup record - Played 1
Singles - Won 0, Lost 1, half 0
Foursomes - Won 0, lost 0, 0 half.
Fourball --Won 0, Lost 0, halved 2nd
8. Ian Poulter - England
World ranking - 23
Ryder Cup record - Played 1
Singles - Won 1, lost 0, 0 half.
Foursomes - Won 0, lost 0, 0 half.
Fourball - Won 0, Lost 1, half 0
9. Graeme McDowell - Northern Ireland
World ranking - 29
Play First Ryder Cup.
10. Paul Casey - England
World Ranking- 35
Ryder Cup record - 2 player.
Singles - Won 1, Lost 1, half 0
Foursomes - Won 1, lost 0, 0 half.
Fourball - Won 1, lost 0, 2nd half
11. Soren Hansen - Denmark
World ranking - 45
Play First Ryder Cup.
12. Oliver Wilson - England
World ranking - 51
Play First Ryder Cup.
The European team towards Valhalla Golf Club, Louisville, Kentuckycertainly as strong as that which has won the last three Ryder Cups. The last time the Americans had already won in 1999 and this is something that the U.S. players will be ready will avenge this time. However, the Ryder Cup selections are suggesting that Europe once again, that will win their title for the fourth consecutive year.
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