Team Europe Ryder Cup announcement as it happened: Thomas Bjorn picks Ian Poulter, Sergio Garcia, Henrik Stenson and Paul Casey

Thomas Bjorn picks Ian Poulter, Sergio Garcia, Henrik Stenson and Paul Casey

Europe's Ryder Cup Team wildcard advert

Team Europe will look to reclaim the Ryder Cup after a humbling defeat two years ago at Hazeltine, with captain Thomas Bjorn putting the final plans into place after announcing his four wild card picks.

Francesco Molinari, Justin Rose, Tyrell Hatton, Tommy Fleetwood, Jon Rahm, Rory McIlroy, Alex Noren and Thorbjorn Olesen have already secured their place on Bjorn's team for the competition, which begins on 28 September at Le Golf National in south-west Paris.

And completing that line-up will be Ryder Cup stalwart Ian Poulter, former Open champion Henrik Stenson, 2017 Masters winner Sergio Garcia and in-form Paul Casey, with Bjorn announcing his wild cards earlier on Wednesday afternoon. However, as always that leaves the unlucky few ruing an opportunity missed, with the likes of Rafa Cabrera-Bello, Matt Wallace, Thomas Pieters and Matt Fitzpatrick all missing out.

US captain Jim Furyk handed Tiger Woods a wild card entry last night after he finished sixth in the Open and second in the PGA Championship to remove any lingering doubt about his place on the team, with Phil Mickelson and Bryson DeChambeau his two other picks - with one more to be confirmed next week. Follow the live announcement and the latest reaction below...

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Key Points

• European captain Thomas Bjorn names his four wild card picks
• Ian Poulter returns after missing 2016 Ryder Cup with injury
• Henrik Stenson and Paul Casey receive expected call-ups
• Sergio Garcia selected despite lack of form since Masters win last year
• Tiger Woods received ‘beyond special’ wild card pick

[5 September 2018 14:05 · Jack Watson]

Paul Casey returns to the Ryder Cup team

Thomas Bjorn: "The conversations we've had he's really shown he's missed this part of his life. he's done well to get back and it's really a no brainer to bring him back. He's world class, he brings world class golf to the team.

"In the Ryder Cup he has shown his pedigree."

[5 September 2018 14:05 · Jack Watson]

Sergio Garcia is in

[5 September 2018 14:07 · Jack Watson]

Segio Garcia makes the team

Thomas Bjorn: "It's like a football team going without their captain, that's what he is. People around the Ryder Cup team realise how much be brings to it. He makes everybody around him better, we talk about it,. what it great, he isd what is great. He is everything that the Ryder Cup is all about. He missed 2010 when he was struggling but i watched hi as a player and vice captain and i have so much belief he can deliver."

[5 September 2018 14:08 · Jack Watson]

Ian Poulter is the third pick 

[5 September 2018 14:09 · Jack Watson]

Ian Poulter

Thomas Bjorn: "There's a thing about Ian when he gets confident, i met him in the parking lot in Augusta he went: "I'm going to make this time".  Winning golf tournaments is important but the frame of mind is very important."

[5 September 2018 14:10 · Jack Watson]

Henrik Stenson completed the wild card picks

[5 September 2018 14:11 · Jack Watson]

Henrik Stenson

Thomas Bjorn: "The person he is is great for looking after some of the youngsters, he is a strong player. These four all bring so much to the Ryder Cup, they bring loads of experience, they know what it feels to win and lose."

[5 September 2018 14:14 · Jack Watson]

Full European team

Ian Poulter 

Paul Casey

Henrik Stenson

Sergio Garcia

Francesco Molinari

Justin Rose

Tyrell Hatton

Tommy Fleetwood

Jon Rahm

Rory McIlroy

Alex Noren

Thorbjorn Olesen

"They bring so much to European golf. I'm confident that this group of guys can do the job," said European captain Thomas Bjorn.

[5 September 2018 14:20 · Jack Watson]

Sergio Garcia thankful to Thomas Bjorn after "tough year"

"It feels amazing, I'm very thankful for Thomas for believing in me i know that it was not an easy decision he knows what I bring to the team inside the team room. It's been a tough year. I've been working hard, Now i'm being as ready as I can be to help the European team to win that cup back," Sergio Garcia told Sky Sports.

"It is very exciting for me to be part of a Ryder Cup team, I'm going to give everything I have on the course and in the team room with some of the rookies, to make them more comfortable."

[5 September 2018 14:23 · Jack Watson]

Paul Casey honoured on return

"I'm very honoured, I'm so excited. I've had ups and downs in my career and at times questioned the success i would have in the future but I've stayed consistent. I've played very good golf in the last few years. I'm playing some of the best golf I've ever played. Once I announced my intentions to Thomas it was full tilt. This is the tip of the iceberg, we have to push onto Paris and win. 

"We (Thomas) came together earlier this year in Malaysia and I gave him 100 per cent there on and off the golf course. Last time I played it was a very different team and it looks like a great US team so far. It's a formidable challenge and I'm up for that."