Today Captain Corey Pavin choose the 4 remaining members of the US Ryder Cup team. His choices are Zach Johnson, Tiger Woods, Stewart Cink and Rickie Fowler. As I reported in a blog entry August 24th, those in contention for the four spots and my observations of each were:
9th - Anthoney Kim: coming off a hand injury. Missed the cut in PGA Championship, and in the Wyndham this past week.
10th - Lucas Glover: Ryder Cup veteran. Missed the cut by 2 strokes in the PGA, 7th in the Wyndham..
11th - Zach Johnson: 3rd in the PGA. Solid Cup veteran.
12th - Tiger Woods: Having difficulty regaining his No. 1 in the World form. 28th in PGA.
13th - Bo Van Pelt: 28th in PGA. A very dark horse.
14th - Stewart Cink: Has Ryder Cup whiskers, playing well lately, 18th in PGA.
15th - Ben Crane: Consistent the past two years but a dark horse, 39th in PGA.
16th - Ricky Barnes: Missed PGA cut. Maybe next year.
17th - Nick Watney: Dismal showing in PGA eliminated as a choice.
18th - Sean O'Hair: Consistent, a future star next year.
19th - J.B. Holms: Another dark horse, well at least a gray one. 24th in PGA.
20th - Rickie Fowler: 58th in PGA. Probably next year.
Listening to the comments made by the four picks you know the importance the players put on playing for their country. After winning the Deutsche Bank Championship, Charlie Hoffman lobbied hard on national television for the opportunity to represent his country. One could tell by the emotion in his voice and facial expression this was a goal of a lifetime and meant as much or more than the huge win and prize money he had just captured.
My only reservation about picking Rickie Fowler over Lucas Glover was who really deserved the pick? Fowler has been playing exceptionally well as of late and looks to be a rising star but was 20th in points while Glover was 10th and playing well and has Ryder Cup experience. But looking at the statistics for the three I understand why Corey chose Rickie.
Rickey Fowler:
FedEx Reg. Season 19th
Fed. Ex. Playoffs 25th
World Golf Ranking 33rd
Money List 25th
Lucas Glover:
FedEx Reg. Season 47th
Fed. Ex. Playoffs 74th
World Golf Ranking 34rd
Money List 48th
Charlie Hoffman:
FedEx Reg. Season 77th
Fed. Ex. Playoffs 2nd
World Golf Ranking 51st
Money List 27th
One last Ryder Cup note: Almost every prognosticator is picking the European team and I'm not sure why. Their number one player, Lee Westwood may not play or at best be very rusty from his layoff after the Bridgestone Championship August 8th due to an injured calf. Luke Donald faltered this past weekend. Ross Fisher has two Euro wins. Padraig Harrington and Ian Poulter are having sup par seasons. Miguel Angel Jimenez has two Euro wins. Martin Kaymer and Gareme McDowell haven't been heard since winning the PGA and US Open. Rory McIlroy and Edoardo Molinari are hot and will have to play well for Europe to regain the cup.
I'm picking the US in a landslide.
Loren...
