And the two wildcard picks are...

[theeaglehunter]

Ian Poulter and Paul Casey. Any thoughts and reflections on this? Surprised? As expected? Not worried either way?

I think both players are deserving of their place and will both be an asset to the European team. I feel sorry for Darren Clarke but Poulter's performance in the open probably was enough for him to persuade the Captain he is worth a pick. As for Casey I wanted him in all along and I am sure he will continue his excellent Ryder cup record.

Also as for Faldo's delivery he really is excellent in the public eye, and handles the media brilliantly. I can't help but wonder whether Poulter was given the nod before but Faldo has claimed not so we can only take his word for it.

Bring on September.

 

[HTL]

I told you all Poulter was in the team! Real shock that Clark aint going, Don't think Casey is the right man, but time will tell.

 

[Pinseeker]

can't believe these picks. Clarky's won twice this year and poulter and casey have done bugger all!

i would've been happy with clarke and anyone else but leaving him out and bringing in two players who chose to play in the states an not to play the vital european comp this weekend beggers belief. never been a fan of faldo and i think this ryder cup will be a lot closer than people think. God forbid someone should take the limelight away from faldo and his ego.

 

[TonyN]

Happy about Poults, I think he is te right choice, am not sure about casey though, think i would of prefered Clarkey Baby.

Either way, its around the corner and I cant wait.

Come on Europe!

 

[GB72]

I was not as convinced with Faldo infront of the press, seemed to a be a little less confident on the issue of telling Poulter last week. I go the impression from the response that he dropped enough hints to Poulter to assure him of a place without actually saying so.

Listening to the press questions you can sense that they all expected Clarke to be the other pick so I just hope that they remain positive rather than use this as sensationalist story.

 

[Dodger]

2 great picks Poulter is a grade a cock but I would love him in my team as he must get under oppositions skin and as Faldo said the guy has a big heart which is needed in matchplay,as for Casey also a fine pick and in form and a great record in matchplay Ryder and Walker cup.
Strong strong team now lets put them to the sword again!!

 

[big_russ]

Disappointed Darren Clarke didnt get the nod, but lets face it, whoever Faldo went for was not going to be the right choice for everyone.
Its now time to forget about who should have been picked and get behind the team so we can go and "Spank the Yanks" again.

 

[RGuk]

Has anyone got a link for the full team....or can "write" the list here?

Anyone know about Oliver Wilson...?....who he?

 

[Dodger]

feel a bit for Clarke but I feel that possibly his life away from golf may have had part to do with captains pick,yes he may have won recently but we all know how tunnel visioned Faldo was and the fact that Clarke does not really play a full time schedule may have affected his pick.I think that it really sounds like Poults and Casey were stick ons from at least 2 weeks ago.
At the end of the day if Casey or Poulter were not picked we would be on here saying 'well I think he should have went for......'

 

[Imurg]

Wilson, Rose,Hansen are all in by right.
Jiminez,Karlsson,G-Mac,Garcia,Harrington,Westwood and Stenson all in.
Poults and Casey Wildcards

Good team.

 

[Cernunnos]

I think Had Darren had a decent placing at the Johnny Walker then he would heave been in. As it is I was thinking Faldo might Pick Poults & Casey by the end of day two Of the Johnny Walker at Gleneagles. Yes two wins this year should have been enough to earn him a place. But Nick Faldo is Nick Faldo & I can see where he is comming from. However it was clear from the interview that Faldo had said to Poulter one way or another he was as good as in.

Its interesting to note about Faldo's reply about Monty right at the end, that if Monty had won this week he would actually have been considered.

Here's a very hypothetical scenario. Had Monty Won at Gleneagles & Darren Clarke been second or even tenth, then might they have been chosen or would either or both of Casey & Poulter still have been picked.

Another interesting item to do with Faldo about the Vice captains & his slight squirm about not re-inviting McGinley as Vice captain & the fact McGinley hadn't been talked to at all even as a pick, especially considering how well McGinley has played these last few weeks.

Clearly Faldo does hold grudges, especially after reading Faldo' biography this is something very clear about the man.

But no-matter what the picks were it would have been difficult not to pick a strong European team one way or another.

Infact if it was still a GB&I team as of yesteryear I think we still would have a good & strong team. Not done the Points math, but It might be interesting to go away & work out.

 

[RGuk]

Um.....hello.....Wilson? Have I missed the arrival of someone new?
Have I been cryogenically frozen or something???

 

[John_Findlay]

Crumbs. Not who I thought it would be...but I haven't won 6 majors..so what do I know.

Think we've got our best team on general current form. Clarke looked disinterested for most of the year and didn't perform in the majors as Faldo mentioned. If it hadn't been for last week I'm pretty sure he wouldn't have been on the radar so I'm happy.

C'mon the lads. I've got a huge European flag to go up in the pub on 19th Sept!

 

[John_Findlay]

Dave,

Oliver Wilson..the only player who's slower than JB Holmes. He'll bore the Yanks into submission with his tinkering and forgetting how to swing from one hole to another.

 

[brendy]

Missing Clarkey is a big shock, Faldo said he saw the dutch comp last week and watched where that put him in the money order, 100k above poulter and more than double that above casey, granted he played in more european events and they have better world order rankings. I believe poulter has a flaw, be it mental or physical, when under pressure he makes bad decisions and swings. There were easily another 10 people that could have been picked over these two. There is smething not quite right about these picks, I noticed that faldo casey and poulthard (from now on I shall call him poulthard, he did enough to get onto the main pro circuit but never fails to disappoint come race day) are all fairly local to eachother.
How can anyone forget montys played 32 (lost only 8, matchplay king as much as Im not a fan, dont dislike either)
Clarke played 17 (lost 7)
Casey played 2 (lost one)
Poulthard played 0.
As you can probably see, im very disappointed, peeved off in fact. I think experience counts ten times over niaive enthusiasm. If it wasnt for mcdowell, harrington and garcia, id rather go and practice my own golf than watch this years event.

 

[RGuk]

Dave,

Oliver Wilson..the only player who's slower than JB Holmes. He'll bore the Yanks into submission with his tinkering and forgetting how to swing from one hole to another.

Finally, J_F saves the day and sheds some light.
I'll bet any money this bloke hardly plays in the US and is outside the top 100 over there....
Dear oh dear....
What's he won (I hear literally nobody ask??).....O, zero, Nada, sweet f.a......

 

[RGuk]

Poulthard.....

 

[Cernunnos]

C'mon the lads. I've got a huge European flag to go up in the pub on 19th Sept!

H'way the lads. Golf is about the only time I'd even consider looking fondly on that blue flag with the gold stars, rather than objecting to it. Much as I objected to it being on the Numberplate of my car even though i drive a french car. Yeah I know I'm a hypocrite, but why make life simple...lol

 

[madandra]

I am well pi55ed that Poulter got in. The guy is mediocre at best. As far as his good finishes go .. well .. all I can say is even BLIND SQUIRRELS FIND NUTS !!!!!!!


Clarke would have been incredibly valuable off the course too in guiding the rookies and keeping them confident and motivated. Poulters only chance is getting Ben Curtis in the singles.

 

[RGuk]

Do you think we should call Poulter's singles as a loss, then we can all relax a bit.
f.w.i.w. I think he'll be fine in the pairs.
If he IS poor, then he'll be dropped surely to return for the final day.....