Bjorn puts his faith in seasoned players
Old heads given Ryder Cup spots to help guide rookies
Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter, Paul Casey and Henrik Stenson were handed the four wild card picks to make the European Ryder Cup team yesterday, as captain Thomas Bjorn put his faith in experience.
All four players have been part of multiple winning sides, although Spaniard Garcia has struggled this year, missing the cut at each of the last five major tournaments.
England’s Poulter, a talisman for Europe in past Ryder Cups, has returned to form this year after missing the 2016 defeat by the United States at Hazeltine.
“All four bring loads of experience, points and knowhow to win and lose and they will bring plenty of heart,” said Bjorn.
Automatic qualification
British Open champion Francesco Molinari, fourtime major winner Rory McIlroy, English trio Justin Rose, Tommy Fleetwood and Tyrrell Hatton, Jon Rahm, Alex Noren and Thorbjorn Olesen had already qualified
EUROPE: Captain 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.
■ automatically for the event to be held just outside Paris from September 28-30.
Bjorn opted for 2017 Masters champion Garcia ahead of Belgian Thomas Pieters, who won four points two years ago as a rookie, Rafa Cabrera Bello and the in-form Matt Wallace, having already seen five rookies make the side.
“The one thing about Sergio is that he’s the heartbeat of the team. It’s like a football team going without their captain, that’s what it’s like for us,” said the Dane.
Garcia added: “It’s been a tough year, but I feel like my game is coming along.”
It will be the 38-year-old Garcia’s ninth Ryder Cup appearance.
UNITED STATES: Captain 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.
- Jim Furyk Brooks Koepka Dustin Johnson Justin Thomas Patrick Reed Bubba Watson Jordan Spieth Rickie Fowler
Webb Simpson Bryson DeChambeau Phil Mickelson
Tiger Woods Announced after Sept. 9