Four captain's picks are an advantage for Azinger
Paul Azinger is facing some tough decisions over the next two weeks. As the U.S. Ryder Cup captain, he has to pick four players on Sept. 2 to join the eight automatic qualifiers. Hard as that selection process might be, I'd bet that Azinger is happy he changed the rules this year. (Previous captains had only two picks, and they made them the Monday after the PGA Championship.)
The new process gives Azinger two advantages over his predecessors. First, there's now a better chance that at least one player Azinger selects will be on a hot streak when the Cup matches begin. Both teams want the guys who are playing their best just before the Ryder Cup, but the five-week period between the PGA and the Ryder Cup is plenty of time to lose an edge. The new timing reduces the risk of having a team member in a slump.
Second, Azinger can do more to influence team chemistry. The team has three rookies (Anthony Kim, Boo Weekley and Ben Curtis) and five veterans (Phil Mickelson, Jim Furyk, Kenny Perry, Justin Leonard and Stewart Cink). With four picks at his disposal, Azinger can add more youth, more experience or both. He can use his picks to complement his eight automatic selections instead of just filling out his roster. What captain wouldn't want that type of versatility?
Of course, if players like Steve Stricker, Woody Austin, Hunter Mahan and Sean O'Hair pull a disappearing act over the next three weeks, then having two or four selections won't really matter. Still, I bet Nick Faldo would be sleeping a lot better right now if he was sitting on four picks instead of two. Going into this week, Justin Rose, Paul Casey, Ian Poulter, Darren Clarke and Colin Montgomerie are all on the outside of the European Ryder Cup bubble.
(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Posted by: CokedOut Hookerfiend | Aug 23, 2008 12:36:56 PM
Make Daly a captains pick.
Posted by: You | Aug 20, 2008 5:21:11 PM
As for Azinger....as Captain's picks, I'd have to say that, in terms of bringing team spirit, Rocco Mediate and Woody Austin should come in. Rocco played down the stretch with Tiger breathing down his neck, and had a SMILE on his face, and even took it to the man on certain occasions. Not only that, but he came to Birkdale, and held the lead at the end of a round. Rocco's not only solid, but unshakeable. Woody's just become that lovable figure "Aquaman", but still put the nails in the coffin for his opponent at the President's Cup. Seeing him in the Ryder Cup will definitely get hm fired up.
Posted by: You | Aug 20, 2008 5:14:05 PM
The other two posts can't say it any better: Rose and Casey are the right picks. Poulter's emotion does get the better of his game, and people like Justin and Paul have better experience with Ryder Cup situations. Monty's just getting too old for this, and his game is showing it. Monty's fallen off the map, and it won't take a genius to point that out. What to say to Monty? How about "too bad?" Nothing like a Scotsman with a flared-up temper.
Posted by: Eric Jennings | Aug 19, 2008 11:17:55 PM
Monty's not going to be in the Ryder cup one day and that day is now. Faldo should pick Rose and Casey for their stability. Poulter is way too emotional and that could affect his game. DC is still some way off his best. Maybe in two years time they can be back better.
Posted by: Roger Larson | Aug 19, 2008 10:34:58 PM
Faldo does not have much of a problem. He picks between Rose, Casey & Poulter. Someone is going to be pissed off but WHO CARES? The loser didn't qualify like he was supposed to. D. Clarke is a great guy but he just didn't make it this year. Monty has a fab record but his game had gone south.