Having sent a letter to Europe's Ryder Cup captain Thomas Bjorn ruling himself out of the event later this year, amateur golfer Stephen Atkinson was surprised to see the Dane turn up on his doorstep!Atkinson, who sent a tongue-in-cheek letter to Bjorn last month, admitted that he wasn't available for selection when the European team take on the United States in Paris in September.In his letter, Atkinson, who lives in Berkshire, had to withdraw "with a somewhat heavy heart" after his wife called him "sadly deluded."So, when Bjorn made the journey to meet Atkinson in an attempt to change his mindset, he uttered his disappointment following the semi-pro's decision.  Bjorn said: "I received this letter last week from the wonderful Stephen Atkinson withdrawing from the Ryder Cup process and [I'm] very disappointed."But as he can't be with us in France, I'm going to take this little baby (Ryder Cup trophy) and see him and see what he's missing out on."Opening his door, a stunned Atkinson reacted brilliantly after seeing the 47-year-old waiting to meet him. He said it was his colleagues who compete at his local golf club who made him aware of the letter going viral on social media, which led to the meeting with Bjorn. Giving his reaction, Atkinson was taken aback by the whole situation that the Ascot resident finds himself in following on from the viral letter that he sent.

Atkinson said: "I'm blown away. Opening the door and seeing Thomas there, I couldn't believe it.

"I went to play golf and I came into the club and everyone said, 'We've seen the letter' and I thought, 'How the hell?'

"To hold the actual trophy with so much history behind it is just amazing."

Europe will be hoping to avenge their 2016 defeat on American soil when the Ryder Cup heads to Paris, taking place in the French capital during late September.