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Following the completion of the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles, the nine automatic spots were filled, with the Scot naming three wildcard picks for the contest in Wales.

Padraig Harrington, Luke Donald and Eduardo Molinari were the three players lucky enough to be selected from a strong field of possible players and McDowell, who made the team by his own right, thanks largely to his US Open Major win this summer, feels there is an excellent mix of high-calibre matchplay golfers.

In a statement on his website the current Wales Open Champion said "There is strength in dept throughout this team and I think we have a very good chance to take the trophy back from the Americans."

"Padraig is a world class player and obviously it's great to have someone with his experience on the team.

"I opened my Ryder Cup experience playing with him in Friday's fourballs at Valhalla, in 2008 and although we lost the match, we both played extremely well and it was great to play alongside Padraig.

"Luke Donald is another superb matchplayer, ranked 11th in the world and more than worthy of his wildcard selection," the Portrush man added.

"Edoardo Molinari has been one of the biggest names in World Golf the last twenty or so months. His success story is phenomenal."

Despite there being some questions asked about whether or not Harrington should have been picked ahead of Paul Casey and Justin Rose, McDowell admitts that Captain Montgomerie faced a tough task.

"There are so many players worthy of a selection, Europe is producing so many world class players these days that Monty's decision was a very difficult one to make."

"But like I say, we have an extremely good team this year, and hopefully we can all produce the goods at Celtic Manor."

Europe will begin their bid to reclaim the Ryder Cup back from America on Friday 1 October.

© UTV News