Sport Book Service | Ryder Cup 2018: European wildcard picks go to Ian Poulter, Henrik Stenson, Paul Casey and Sergio Garcia

THOMAS BJORN defended his decision to hand Sergio Garcia a wild card, describing him as the heartbeat of the European team.

As expected, the European captain packed his side with experience, handing his picks to fortysomethings Ian Poulter, Henrik Stenson, and Paul Casey, along with Sergio Garcia, a relative youngster at 38!

Ian Poulter is once again involved in the Ryder Cup after being picked as a wildcard by Thomas BjornCredit: Getty Images - Getty

Sergio Garcia also joins the Europe line-up despite not having the best seasonCredit: USA TODAY Sports

Garcia could count himself lucky not to be considered a back number, after a woeful season was compounded by his decision not to play in the final Ryder Cup qualifying tournament, the Made in Denmark event.

But Bjorn commented: You have to look at Sergio in certain ways and he is the heartbeat of the team. Leaving him out would be like a football team going onto the pitch without their captain.

People who have experienced him in the team room know how much he brings to it. As well as playing great golf, he makes everybody around him feel better about themselves.

We have talked a lot over the years about what is great about the European team room and Sergio sums up what is great about it.

Poulter, Casey and Stenson were all in action in America as Matt Wallace threw his hat into the ring for a wild card pick with a stunning victory in Denmark. But Garcia had so such excuse.

Thomas Bjorn now has his full team ahead of the historic golfing eventCredit: PA:Press Association

Matt Wallace was unlucky not to get a wildcard spot after winning the Made In Denmark OpenCredit: EPA

However, with five rookies among the eight automatic qualifiers it was no surprise that Bjorn decided he needed as much experience as possible against a battle-hardened USA outfit.

With one place still to be filled, the Americans have just two rookies in their line-up world No 3 Justin Thomas, and Bryson Dechambeau, who has charged to seventh in the world rankings after back-to-back FedEx Cup wins.

DeChambeau was handed a wild card along with Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, and the US rookie roster could reach three if Tony Finau gets Jim Furyks final pick next week.

With the Americans also boasting aplenty of tried and trusted combinations and coming to France on the back of a crunching 17-11 victory at Hazeltine two years ago Bjorn decided this was no time to experiment.

Bjorn has opted for experience in his wildcard picks, with the likes of Paul Casey supporting the youngstersCredit: Getty Images - Getty

He added: There have been so many guys in Europe doing well that it needed a lot of thought. It was not as easy choice, but it was a privilege to have so many great players to pick from.

There are a few disappointed players and I had some tough phone calls to make. But it is all about the 12 who made it, and at the start of my captaincy if I had written down 12 names I dont think the list would have looked very different to this one."