Ryder Cup 2014: Tom Watson Names Keegan Bradley, Hunter Mahan and Webb Simpson as Wildcard Picks

USA captain Tom Watson has opted for experience in naming Keegan Bradley, Hunter Mahan and Webb Simpson as his three wildcard picks for the Ryder Cup.

The trio join Bubba Watson, Rickie Fowler, Jim Furyk, Jimmy Walker, Phil Mickelson, Matt Kuchar, Jordan Spieth, Patrick Reed and Zach Johnson in the side heading to Gleneagles later this month.

Mahan will be making his third appearance of the biennial competition having been part of the team that tasted victory in Kentucky in 2008 before losing at Celtic Manor four years ago.

2011 US PGA champion Bradley and 2012 US Open champion Simpson made their Ryder Cup bows in Europe's success in Medinah two years ago.

"Keegan is the epitome of someone who wanted to be on the team," Watson said.

"He can go low and he teamed up great with Phil Mickelson [in the last Ryder Cup]. But the most important thing he brings is his unbridled passion to play in the Ryder Cup team.

"Hunter has had a wonderful stretch of golf recently and he led the greens in regulation stats in three of the last four tournaments he played in.

"He is a really great ball striker and he is really starting to come into his own right now. Hunter, don't worry, you are probably going to go five [play in all five matches]."

Watson suggested his third pick was his most difficult but after considering his form in Medinah two years ago, decided to go with Simpson.

"I looked at the results from 2012 and I see Webb Simpson 5&4, Webb Simpson 5&4 [Simpson and his partner on that day Bubba Watson won two fourballs matches by that margin].

"I said 'that's got to be the guy'".

Team USA's preparations for the Ryder Cup were disrupted by Dustin Johnson's decision to take a break from golf for personal reasons and Tiger Woods' absence through a back injury.

On Tuesday European captain Paul McGinley named Ian Poulter, Stephen Gallacher and Lee Westwood as his three wild card picks.