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Poulter & Colsaerts handed Ryder Cup wildcard spots

Ian Poulter was strong favourite to claim one of the final spots on the European Ryder Cup team © Getty Images

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Jose Maria Olazabal confirmed on Monday that Ian Poulter and Nicolas Colsaerts have claimed the final wildcard spots on his European Ryder Cup team to face USA.

Poulter found himself in what was widely understood to be a three-way battle to make the European squad, with Colsaerts and Padraig Harrington also in contention. In the end, it was the Brit's impressive history in the competition - winning two of three Ryder Cups in which he has participated - that earned him the nod with Harrington overlooked.

"Every one of you knew Ian was going to be there, that was a pretty good bet," Olazabal told the media. "He's had a great Ryder Cup record, he's playing well, his attitude and spirit in the Ryder Cup has always been great and he likes to be in this situation.

"The Ryder Cup brings the best out of him. The two times I've had chance to share time with him [at a Ryder Cup], you don't have to motivate him. Just by looking into his eyes, you know he'll give everything during the week."

Colsaerts could have qualified automatically for the team had he finished in the top two at this week's Johnnie Walker Championship. His failure to do so gave Martin Kaymer the remaining automatic spot.

However, Colsaerts' length off the tee is valued by the European side on a course that favours big-hitters, with Harrington failing to show the type of form over the past 12 months that previously led him to three major titles.

Colsaerts has been preferred to the Irishman despite Harrington's vastly superior experience, having been a part of every Ryder Cup since his 1999 debut. Colsaerts, meanwhile, will make his debut in the competition having made the cut only twice in major competition.

"Nicolas is a rookie, but if you look at the team, he's the only rookie," Olazabal said. "His match play record is very good, he finished runner-up last year at the World Matchplay, he won this year, he's had a very solid season and he's made the extra effort to make the team.

"Medinah Country Club is a long course. They built two or three new tees and made 15 a reachable par four. Length can be a factor. His game is suited for that golf course. It depends how the golf course is set up regarding rough but it's a long course and I think he can take advantage of that."

Olazabal's picks mean he has selected the top 12 European players - with Harrington currently 19th in the table, and Poulter and Colsaerts were understandably delighted with the decision.

"I'm absolutely thrilled," Poulter said. "To get the call from Jose was a great moment and I'll be thrilled to pour some passion over the 18 holes."

Colsaerts commented: "I've wanted this since I was a little kid. To be part of a team with a captain of such history is something I'm very proud of. I'm living proof that if you want something badly, anybody can do it with hard work."

European Ryder Cup squad:
Rory McIlroy, Luke Donald, Lee Westwood, Graeme McDowell, Paul Lawrie, Francesco Molinari, Sergio Garcia, Peter Hanson, Justin Rose, Martin Kaymer, Ian Poulter, Nicolas Colsaerts

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