Golf: Rickie Fowler, JB Holmes, Matt Kuchar named to US Ryder Cup team

Fan favourite Rickie Fowler was named a wildcard pick to the US Ryder Cup team on Monday (Sept 12). PHOTO: AFP

NEW YORK (Reuters) - United States captain Davis Love III named Rickie Fowler, JB Holmes and Matt Kuchar on Monday as three of his four wildcard picks for this month's Ryder Cup against holders Europe in Chaska, Minnesota.

Love will announce his final selection on Sept 25, after the Tour Championship finishes in Atlanta, to round out his 12-man team.

Fowler, 27, a triple winner on the PGA Tour, was a member of the 2010 and 2014 teams.

Holmes, 34, known for his prodigious length off the tee, has made just one previous appearance for his country in the Ryder Cup, in 2008 when the US last tasted victory over Europe.

Kuchar, 38, who is renowned for his consistency from tee to green and an uncanny ability to grind out top-10 finishes, has featured in the last three Ryder Cups.

The eight automatic qualifiers on the U.S. team, confirmed after last month's Barclays tournament, are: US Open champion Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth, Phil Mickelson, Patrick Reed, PGA Championship winner Jimmy Walker, Brooks Koepka, Brandt Snedeker and Zach Johnson.

The US will bid to end a dominant run by the Europeans, who have won three consecutive Ryder Cups and eight of the last 10, when the three-day competition starts on Sept 30 at Hazeltine National.

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.