Sergio Garcia will need true grit to justify surprise selection

Any keen follower of professional golf could have automatically selected two of Thomas Bjorn’s Ryder Cup picks yesterday, writes John McHenry.

Ian Poulter’s tremendous form all year, coupled with his Ryder Cup record (12-4-2) which includes an unbeaten run in the singles, made him, barring injury, an automatic selection for the team for Paris. Poulter’s very DNA is perfect for the Ryder Cup — his large personality and absolute fearlessness a huge asset to any European team, most especially one with five rookies seeking to win back a Ryder Cup, lost so tamely at Hazeltine National in 2016.

Paul Casey too is a great addition to the squad. That he was charmed back into rejoining the European Tour and committing to the Ryder Cup qualifying process by Bjorn for the first time since 2008 gives you an understanding of the high regard in which he is held by his captain. No one should doubt his big game temperament and current form and his successful partnerships with both Fleetwood and Hatton at the EurAsia Cup earlier this year makes the European team a much stronger force.