28 Aug 2012

Poulter and Colsaerts picked for Ryder Cup

5:29 am on 28 August 2012

European golf captain Jose Maria Olazabal has named England's Ian Poulter and Belgian Nicolas Colsaerts as his two wildcard picks for next month's Ryder Cup golf defence against the United States at Medinah in Illinois.

Poulter will compete in his fourth Ryder Cup since making his debut in 2004 while Colsaerts will be the only debutant in Olazabal's team.

It is Poulter's second wildcard after he received a similar pick in 2008, while Colsaerts is the first Belgian in the 85-year history of the event.

Padraig Harrington's non-selection ends a run of six straight Ryder Cup caps for the triple major-winning Irishman.

US captain Davis Love will announce his four wildcard picks next week.

European team:

Rory McIlroy (NIR), Justin Rose (ENG), Paul Lawrie (SCO), Graeme McDowell (NIR), Francesco Molinari (ITA), Luke Donald (ENG), Lee Westwood (ENG), Sergio Garcia (ESP), Peter Hanson (SWE), Martin Kaymer (GER), Ian Poulter (ENG), Nicolas Colsaerts (BEL)