Shock Ryder Cup call-up for Poulter

LONDON: European captain Nick Faldo surprisingly handed England's Ian Poulter a wild card pick for next month's match against the Americans while Darren Clarke and Colin Montgomery will not feature.

Paul Casey was given the second captain's pick on Sunday to complete the 12-man line-up to play the United States in Kentucky from Sept 19 to 21, with the visitors going for their fourth consecutive triumph in this biennial event.

In a hugely controversial decision which means Clarke, a winner a week ago, and Montgomerie cannot extend their inspirational cup careers next month, Poulter has not paid a price for putting his US tour career before trying to qualify for the European side.