Rickie Fowler of the U.S. looks over a putt on the 15th hole during the final round of the Memorial Tournament in Dublin, Ohio June 6, 2010. REUTERS/Mike MundenMICHAEL MUNDEN/Reuters
U.S. Ryder Cup captain Corey Pavin made his final four picks for the American squad on Tuesday. For all the debate about whether or not Tiger Woods should be on the squad, Pavin's selection of Rickie Fowler is sure to raise the most eyebrows.
Unlike European counterpart Colin Montgomery, who had to leave proven PGA Tour winners off the list in Paul Casey and Justin Rose, Fowler has three runner-up finishes in his 11 months as a pro and he is the first American captain's pick to have never won.
Then again, no one else really stood out in the last three weeks since the first members of the team were confirmed. In the final tournament before Pavin's picks, none of the 14 players on the captain's short list finished among the top 10.
Anthony Kim, Lucas Glover, J.B. Holmes and Charley Hoffman were all likely considered but in the end left off the team.
Paul Azinger, the captain of the last U.S. Ryder Cup team, said "Confidence trumps experience when it comes to match play! Fowler is not a controversial pick at all," while pointing to Kim and Holmes, who played for him on a winning team two years ago.
While the American's go into the event with five rookies, Europe's team will have six Ryder Cup rookies - Italian brothers Francesco and Edoardo Molinari, Peter Hanson, Rory McIlroy, Ross Fisher and PGA champion Martin Kayer. Yet the feeling is, the European team is the favourite going to Celtic Manor.
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I was hoping Woods would decline to take some time off in order to sort out his game AND his personal life. But Pavin clearly feels the team is better with Woods (and Pavin picking and choosing where to play or not play him) than without him. I've heard a lot on radio about how Woods will 'disrupt' the chemistry, and how he and Mickelson don't get along. First, I think the chemistry thing is overblown; Woods is respected as a player, always has been. And it's not like these guys are bunking together and eating/drinking together in the off-hours. They're all going off to their separate luxury accommodations in their separate courtesy SUV's, with significant others tagging along. Second - it's not like Phil is universally adored either. That nickname "FIGJAM" didn't come out of nowhere, you know. Bottom line - Woods had the crappiest year any golfer could have had, and still finished top-5 in two of the majors, and is showing respectfully at the FedEx Cup. How many PGA pros would have killed for a season like his? If he plays like crap out of the gate, Pavin can always sit him until singles play, where he's been fairly successful. - Grant
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I am more concerned about how Fowler can rock his whacky outfits, yet still wear the US uniform. Should be interesting. - Brad
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Ricky Fowler is a risky pick - he hasn't won anything since turning pro and is far too raw of a rookie to be at the Ryder Cup. If Tiger is on, he will be ok, he does have some time to 'clean up' his game. Hoffman would have been a much better choice than Fowler as he is hot right now where as Ricky is fading away - Blair
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