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Westwood Poulter Gallacher named as wildcards for Europe
(MENAFN- Arab News) LONDON: Ian Poulter Lee Westwood and Stephen Gallacher were named as Europe's wildcard picks for this month's Ryder Cup against the United States by captain Paul McGinley on Tuesday.
Westwood Poulter and Gallacher join automatic qualifiers Rory McIlroy Henrik Stenson Justin Rose Sergio Garcia Martin Kaymer Victor Dubuisson Thomas Bjorn Jamie Donaldson and Graeme McDowell in McGinley's 12-strong team.
Poulter 38 the fierce bulging-eyed competitor who inspired the remarkable 'Miracle in Medinah' comeback victory two years ago has had an injury-plagued season but a European team without him seems almost unthinkable.
Former world number one Westwood 41 has played in the last eight Ryder Cups while Scot Gallacher 39 will be making his debut in the biennial team event.
Among the players to miss out on a wildcard pick were former world number one Luke Donald Italian Francesco Molinari England's Paul Casey and experienced Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez.
McGinley said Gallacher who almost displaced McDowell as the ninth automatic qualifier when he finished third at the Italian Open on Sunday thoroughly deserved his selection.
'Stevie's first words to me when I told him he was in the team were 'That's brilliant wee man'' McGinley told a news conference at Wentworth on the outskirts of London.
'Of course there's always a concern that he's a rookie but I'm not afraid to pick a rookie if he's good enough and there's no doubt Stevie earned his place in this team.'
The Irishman said he was particularly impressed with Gallacher's display in Turin.
'His performances last week in particular had a big effect on me' explained McGinley.
'Stevie played relatively poorly for three weeks in a row in America but came back and had a good performance in the Czech Masters and then played well last week.
'For me Friday afternoon was when he showed he really wanted to be a Ryder Cup player. To come home in 30 shots and get within touching distance of the leaders showed just how strong he is' added McGinley.
US captain Tom Watson is scheduled to announce his three wildcards in New York later on Tuesday.
The Ryder Cup matches will take place at Gleneagles Scotland from Sept. 26-28.
Westwood Poulter and Gallacher join automatic qualifiers Rory McIlroy Henrik Stenson Justin Rose Sergio Garcia Martin Kaymer Victor Dubuisson Thomas Bjorn Jamie Donaldson and Graeme McDowell in McGinley's 12-strong team.
Poulter 38 the fierce bulging-eyed competitor who inspired the remarkable 'Miracle in Medinah' comeback victory two years ago has had an injury-plagued season but a European team without him seems almost unthinkable.
Former world number one Westwood 41 has played in the last eight Ryder Cups while Scot Gallacher 39 will be making his debut in the biennial team event.
Among the players to miss out on a wildcard pick were former world number one Luke Donald Italian Francesco Molinari England's Paul Casey and experienced Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez.
McGinley said Gallacher who almost displaced McDowell as the ninth automatic qualifier when he finished third at the Italian Open on Sunday thoroughly deserved his selection.
'Stevie's first words to me when I told him he was in the team were 'That's brilliant wee man'' McGinley told a news conference at Wentworth on the outskirts of London.
'Of course there's always a concern that he's a rookie but I'm not afraid to pick a rookie if he's good enough and there's no doubt Stevie earned his place in this team.'
The Irishman said he was particularly impressed with Gallacher's display in Turin.
'His performances last week in particular had a big effect on me' explained McGinley.
'Stevie played relatively poorly for three weeks in a row in America but came back and had a good performance in the Czech Masters and then played well last week.
'For me Friday afternoon was when he showed he really wanted to be a Ryder Cup player. To come home in 30 shots and get within touching distance of the leaders showed just how strong he is' added McGinley.
US captain Tom Watson is scheduled to announce his three wildcards in New York later on Tuesday.
The Ryder Cup matches will take place at Gleneagles Scotland from Sept. 26-28.
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