Golf365 and Sporting Life - Ryder Cup

Wilson becomes the first player to compete for Europe at a Ryder Cup having never won a tournament as a professional. However, it means he has something in common with his captain Nick Faldo who was also still to taste victory as a pro when he made his debut for Great Britain and Ireland in the 1977 match. But although he has yet to force his way into the winner's circle, the 27-year-old from Mansfield managed no fewer than four runner-up finishes in the 2008 season alone - and has seven in his career to date. They include a play-off defeat at this year's BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth when he was edged out by European team-mate Miguel Angel Jimenez. However, he was forced to endure a few sleepless nights before securing his debut having headed to the final qualifying event (the Johnnie Walker Championship) still unsure of his place. Indeed, he looked in danger of missing out at one stage, but produced a stirring fightback to survive the cut by one at Gleneagles before holding off a late challenge from compatriots Nick Dougherty and Ross Fisher to clinch the final automatic spot. Wilson is another British golfer who learned his trade across the Atlantic having enjoyed a successful college career at Augusta State University. He has previous experience of team match play competition having featured for the Great Britain and Ireland side that won the 2003 Walker Cup, while he made his Seve Trophy debut under the stewardship of Faldo at The Heritage Golf & Spa Resort in 2007. He managed two points from his five outings in that event and played with another of his team-mates, Justin Rose, in fourball action on the first day of competition.