By Gary Anderson

Stephen Gallacher will be the crowd favourite as the Scot was named to the European Ryder Cup team today for Gleneagles ©Getty ImagesStephen Gallacher is sure to get vociferous backing from the home crowds at Gleneagles Golf Club after the Scot was named as one of Europe captain Paul McGinley's three wildcard picks, alongside English duo Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter, for the Ryder Cup clash with the United States later this month.

Gallacher, the nephew of former Ryder Cup captain Bernard Gallacher, is the only Scot on the 12-man team that will be out to make it a hat-trick of wins on the PGA Centenary Course at Gleneagles in Perthshire from September 26 to 28.

The 39-year-old was widely expected to get the nod from McGinley following a fine season which has seen him just miss out on automatic selection by one stroke following his third place finish at the Italian Open, which finished on Sunday (August 31). 

"It's massive for me and my family," said Gallacher, who will be appearing at his first Ryder Cup.

"It's been a goal all my career to play in the Ryder Cup and I was delighted to get the call from Paul.

"It was a long day yesterday.

"On Sunday I had mixed emotions.

"I was delighted with the way I played but disappointed not to have made the team automatically.

"I knew there were other great players in with a shout of getting a pick, so I really didn't know what was going to happen.

"I'm just glad it all turned out okay in the end."

Westwood will be making his ninth consecutive appearance in the Ryder Cup since making his debut at Valderrama in 1997, putting him joint fourth on the all-time list of European appearances with Welshman Dai Rees and behind German Bernhard Langer and Ireland's Christy O'Connor with 10.

England's Sir Nick Faldo leads the way on 11.

Lee Westwood will be making his ninth appearance at a Ryder Cup later this month ©Getty ImagesLee Westwood will be making his ninth appearance at a Ryder Cup later this month
©Getty Images



The 41-year-old has a record of 18 wins and six halves from 37 matches and will be joined by compatriot Poulter, who was credited with starting the incredible European comeback in Chicago in 2012 when he sunk five consecutive birdies to claim the final point of the Saturday afternoon fourballs.

Poulter will be making his fifth Ryder Cup outing at Gleneagles and has won 12 of his 15 matches that includes a point in the singles at every competition.

"I'm absolutely thrilled," said Poulter, currently ranked 36th in the world.

"To get the call was amazing.

"I can't wait for Gleneagles.

"It's a fantastic feeling and I'm proud to be a pick.

"The Ryder Cup means a lot to me and I can't wait.

"It's always difficult to make a Ryder Cup team and this one was no different.

"Paul had a very difficult decision with some fantastic players to pick from."

Irishman McGinley had narrowed his selection down to five with England's former world number one Luke Donald and Italian Francesco Molinari the players to miss out.

"I am delighted to name Stephen, Ian and Lee as my wild card selections, which completes the 2014 European Ryder Cup team, a team which everyone in Europe should be proud of," said McGinley, then European vice-captain at the last two Ryder Cups.

"I think we have three players that will add a lot to the nine already qualified and make the European team as strong as it needs to be to take on the might of America."

Europe captain Paul McGinley revealed his final line-up today for the Ryder Cup match against the United States ©Getty ImagesEurope captain Paul McGinley revealed his final line-up today for the Ryder Cup match against the United States ©Getty Images



The European challenge will be led by world number one and two-time major winner this year Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland, who is joined as an automatic pick by compatriot Graeme McDowell, Denmark's Thomas Björn, Welshman Jamie Donaldson, Victor Dubuisson of France, Spaniard Sergio Garcia, Germany's Martin Kaymer, Justin Rose of England and Swede Henrik Stenson.

US captain Tom Watson is set to name his three wildcard picks in New York at midnight tonight British Summer Time, 7pm Eastern Time.

Five-time major winner Phil Mickelson leads the nine automatic qualifiers for the US team that also includes Rickie Fowler, Jim Furyk, Zach Jonson, Matt Kuchar, Patrick Reed, Jordan Spieth, Jimmy Walker and Bubba Watson.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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