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Poulter and Casey handed Ryder Cup spots by captain Faldo

31/08/2008

Nick Faldo has picked Ian Poulter and Paul Casey as his wildcards for the Ryder Cup clash with America.

The duo make up the 12-man team meaning veterans Colin Montgomerie and Darren Clarke miss out.

Earlier, Oliver Wilson, Justin Rose and Soren Hansen booked the final automatic spots after the Johnnie Walker Championship.

Wilson grabbed the last spot after finishing tenth at Gleneagles on seven-under par, seven strokes behind winner Gregory Havret of France.

Rose qualified in ninth place in the Ryder Cup standings after carding 71 to finish on ten-under while Dane Hansen (75) ended up on seven-under.

Nick Dougherty carded 70 at Gleneagles but narrowly miss out on the Ryder Cup while Colin Montgomerie, 45, finished a disappointed one over.

Wilson will be the first European to play in the Ryder Cup without a victory on Tour.

But the 27-year-old said his US college career will stand him in good stead at Valhalla on September 19th.

"There are probably 20 to 25 guys over there I've played with, I've beaten them and I know their games," Wilson said.

"I played with Phil Mickelson this year and beat him at Loch Lomond, so it's not likely I'll be intimidated.

"If I was a wildcard then I'd possibly feel like I don't really deserve to be there.

"But doing it without winning shows I've played pretty consistent. I think it is maybe a bit more impressive."

Meanwhile Hansen, 34, said it had been a bitter-sweet day.

“I had my eyes on this trophy. But I'm playing in the Ryder Cup so I'm really looking forward to it," the Dane said.