Woods, Cink, Johnson, and Fowler Round Out US Ryder Cup Team
by Ryan Ballengee on Sep 7, 2010 10:41 AM EDT
in Pro Golf
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PrintAt the New York Stock Exchange - the home to risk taking of epic proportions - on Tuesday morning, US Ryder Cup captain Corey Pavin made the four picks that would round out his team seeking to win the road game at Celtic Manor in a month's time.
Pavin selected Tiger Woods, Stewart Cink, Zach Johnson, and rookie Rickie Fowler to make the team.
These four join Phil Mickelson, Steve Stricker, Jim Furyk, Matt Kuchar, Jeff Overton, Bubba Watson, Hunter Mahan, and Dustin Johnson - the eight automatic qualifiers that made the squad from the points list following the PGA Championship.
Woods will be competing in the Ryder Cup for the sixth time following having to miss the exhibition in 2008 while recovering from surgery. His career record of 10-13-2 is not great, but Woods has a sure partner in Steve Stricker. The tandem cruised in last fall's Presidents Cup at Harding Park in a rout of the International squad.
"It's great to be a part of this team. It's an honor to head over to Wales and play in the Ryder Cup," Woods said of his first Ryder Cup captain's selection via teleconference.
He said he was not sure where the reputation that Woods cared not for the competition, adding he enjoys the team atmosphere and the bonding that happens with the squad.
Zach Johnson, the 2007 Masters champion, has a great putter - an important asset in match play formats. He will work well in the better ball format. His opening 63 at TPC Boston on Friday likely cemented his spot.
Stewart Cink has been a stalwart of the American Ryder Cup team, though often by virtue of a captain's pick. Cink has been picked two prior times. It will be his fifth appearance on the team. He has a 4-7-4 career record in the event.
Rickie Fowler rounds out the team, making his first appearance in the competition. Fowler did not have the full two years to qualify for the team, but still finished strongly on the points list in 20th place following the Deutsche Bank Championship.
Fowler has made 16 of 21 cuts this season, including a couple of near misses at Phoenix and the Memorial. He beat out several contenders, including Charley Hoffman - Monday's winner in Boston, Bo Van Pelt - having his best season ever, and Anthony Kim - having played poorly in his return from thumb surgery.
"It was awesome to be selected. I have to thank Corey for giving me the opportunity to go over [to Wales]. The last time I played overseas was in the Walker Cup, and I hope I can take what I learned there," said Fowler.
"I felt really good about Rickie. He has an excellent [Walker Cup] record at 7-1," Pavin said of the Fowler selection.
Corey Pavin appears pleased with his selections. "I'm very pleased to add these four players to our team. And I think they complement our eight players very well," said Pavin in his press conference.
"There were a lot of people in the mix. We talked about it a lot last night - the three of us here, and talked to [vice-captain] Jeff Sluman.
"We were done at a fairly early hour last night. ... There was a lot of thought put into [the choices]. I spoke to all of the members of the team...and simply made a choice," Pavin said. He said his opinions were not really formed until last weekend, a late decision favoring players with a hot hand.
"I like the overall blend of the team. It gives me a lot of options. A lot of combinations will work."
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This exhibition
thing is old. Jack said it, so therefor it has become gospel. He also played in a time, when the US were kicking a… with monotonous regularity. Times have changed and I think it’s also time we let go of the “exhibition” tag. It’s irrelevant and demeaning to both the event and the players.
Chip n'putt - RB knows I deplore the use of the word "exhibition"
as regards The Ryder Cup, which is why I took it from his blog and put it in inverted commas.
Some of the greatest players in the world – ones who have ice running through their veins when it comes to winning tournaments – have confessed to barely being able to take the club back on the first tee. Don’t think they would feel that way if it was only an exhibition.
Anway, don’t care – I shall be a couch potato for 3 days – refuse to answer ’phone – no visitors allowed.
It really is an exhibition though. It’s a competitive exhibition, but it one nonetheless.
Find me! Email: ryan@thegolfnewsnet.com, Twitter: http://twitter.com/waggleroom, or Facebook: http://facebook.com/waggleroom.
by Ryan Ballengee on Sep 7, 2010 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Cynic!
Didn’t hear that from any of the Euro team last time – nor from the UK media/public. Can’t speak for the rest of Europe of course.
The French Surrendered on Saturday
The Germans said you were doing it all wrong, the Italians just argued amongst themselves and the gypsies rode around in caravans using the money they swiped while people weren’t looking.
by Charles Boyer on Sep 7, 2010 1:53 PM EDT up reply actions
And the Colored Girls sang
Doot Dee Doot Dee Doot Dee Doot.
"pain is only weakness leaving the body"
How very can you?
I’ll obviously be rooting for certain American players – but not the final result.
SEE, I tol you guys...
it’s Stinky Cinky, and loverly Luke…..see, she’s doin that jig of hers again….I wonder who she’s gonna lay the coins on this time….Ya know she will be betting some of those Coppers she’s been savin up……..Couch Potato ? I guess this means that your poor overworked and under appreciated hubby gets Kitchen duty again..STUB
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