Oliver Wilson assured himself of Europe's final automatic Ryder Cup berth when the Englishman held off compatriot Nick Dougherty in the Johnnie Walker Championship last round.

With fellow newcomers Justin Rose and Soren Hansen already assured of top-10 qualifying places, Wilson's closing four-under-par 69 for a seven-under 285 total earned him the last of the three places still in doubt.

Wilson, 27, a former Augusta State student who had an illustrious amateur career, will be the first European to play in the match against the United States without winning on his home tour but was unconcerned that he had made the team without a victory under his belt.

"If I was a wildcard then I'd possible feel like I don't really deserve to be there," Wilson told reporters after his round. "But doing it without winning shows I've played pretty consistent. I think it is maybe a bit more impressive."

Wilson's debut in Nick Faldo's team at Valhalla, Kentucky, next month looked in jeopardy on Friday when he stood one shot above the cut line going to the 16th. A birdie there, though, took him into the weekend right on the cut mark.

"If Friday had gone a little differently it could have been all over. This has proved to people like Nick (Faldo) and Lee (Westwood), who I played with for the first two rounds, that I can do it when I really need to," he said.

"For some reason I need to put myself under pressure to perform at my best."

He said he felt an impressive collegiate record and experience on the U.S. Tour this year should help him when Europe take on the Americans at Valhalla.

"There are probably 20 to 25 guys over there I've played with, I've beaten them and I know their games. I played with Phil Mickelson this year and beat him at Loch Lomond, so it's not likely I'll be intimidated," added Wilson.

This year Wilson has had three more second places, including runner-up at the European Tour's flagship event, the PGA Championship, in which he lost a playoff to Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez. He has recorded seven tour second places.

Rose pipped Hansen, his playing-partner in the final round, to seal eighth spot on the Cup table. A 71 by the Englishman was three strokes better than the Dane, who stayed ninth in the table.

Like Wilson, Rose and Hansen will be Ryder Cup rookies.

"This is what I've dreamed about for a long time," Rose told reporters. "Soren and I congratulated each other coming down the 18th with high fives and a manly hug.

"I'd got off to a flying start (in the Cup campaign) but then made it a bit difficult for myself."

Hansen felt he had got the job done the previous week in the Dutch Open.

"I was in the 10th spot going into last week and that's not where you want to be," Hansen said. "I played solidly there and here as well, even though my wrist gave me some pain on Friday.

Rose, Hansen and Wilson join Padraig Harrington, Sergio Garcia, Lee Westwood, Henrik Stenson, Robert Karlsson, Jimenez and Graeme McDowell as Europe's top 10 qualifiers.

Captain Nick Faldo will announce his two wild card picks at 6pm this evening. Darren Clarke and Paul Casey are favourites to make the team although Ian Poulter, Colin Montgomerie and Paul McGinley are also in the frame.