Paul McGinley and Tom Watson Announce Ryder Cup Wild Cards

With the Ryder Cup set to tee off in just over three weeks time, the captains have finalised their teams, with Paul McGinley and Tom Watson each announcing their three wildcard picks yesterday.

Ian Poulter, Stephen Gallacher and Lee Westwood round out McGinley’s team who are hoping for another win, after their incredible victory two years ago at Medinah.

This will be Gallacher’s first Ryder Cup appearance, an experience made all the more special as it’s in his home Scotland.

“It’s massive for me and my family,” said the golfer yesterday. “I have not touched my phone yet but I know it is going to be ringing off the wall with people wanting tickets.  I’m still in a bit of a daze.”

While neither Westwood nor Poulter are having particularly great seasons on Tour, both have plenty of Ryder Cup experience their captain hopes will add to Team Europe’s advantage.

“My body is in a lot better shape than it was in the middle of the season,” Poulter said. “I’m very happy with my game and the way it has come around and I have started to hole lots of putts. Now I have got three weeks to prepare for the Ryder Cup. I get very motivated.”

On the other side of the Atlantic, Watson announced he would be adding Keegan Bradley, Webb Simpson and Hunter Mahan to Team USA. The Americans will be hoping to redeem themselves after a disappointing ending for their side in 2012.

“I’ve made no secret of how important this team is to me and how badly I want to go back and win the Ryder Cup,” said Bradley. “I think this is a redemption year for a lot of guys who were on the team in 2012.”

The Ryder Cup gets under way from Gleneagles in Scotland on September 25th.