US Captain Corey Pavin Selects the American Golf Team for the Ryder Cup – Tiger Woods Chosen
Tiger Woods is back in the limelight with his selection for the Ryder Cup. Tiger Woods impressed the US Captain Corey Pavin with his hard work and commitment. The golfer has to his credit 71 victories and 14 majors. The US team also includes 21-year old PGA Tour rookie Rickie Fowler, who has no prominent performance or win to his credit. The selection of the US Ryder Cup team is one of the most important events in the game of golf.
The inclusion of Tiger Woods and Rickie Flower came as a surprise for a majority of the golf fans. Corey Pavin’s team also includes former champions Zach Johnson and Stewart Cink. The US team will defend its title at the event. It is pertinent to mention that analysts have raised apprehensions on the selection of Tiger Woods and Rickie Flower for such an important event.
The Ryder Cup is scheduled to commence from October 1-3 at the Celtic Manor in Wales. The United States won the Ryder Cup two years ago at Valhalla. However, their overseas record is not that impressive, with the last win at The Belfry in 1993.
Tiger Woods will be playing his sixth Ryder Cup, but this time he had to make lot of effort to be in the team. Woods maintained his No. 1 standing every time even during his knee injury in 2008. Woods is excited on his inclusion in the team, and considers it a great achievement. He expressed his satisfaction and said that it was an honour for him to be selected. He also expressed his ambitions to regain the title.
The contenders for the United States Ryder team included eight American golfers. The players who were eligible and strong contenders included Phil Mickelson, Hunter Mahan, Steve Stricker, Jim Furyk, Matt Kuchar, Bubba Watson, Dustin Johnson and Jeff Overton. All of the eight players had qualified after the PGA Championship.
The opposite team captain appreciated the American captain for his selection. According to European captain Colin Montgomerie, Pavin had made a brilliant selection. Colin expressed his delight on the inclusion of Tiger Woods in the American team. Colin regarded the selection as a blend of young professional players along with seasoned golfers. Colin said that the Ryder Cup would be interesting and enjoyable with Tiger Woods on the panel.
Pavin’s most controversial choice is Rickie Fowler. He is the first PGA tour rookie to be on the US team. He also does not have any win to his credit. Pavin termed the selection of Rickie Fowler as based on gut instinct. Pavin said that it was difficult for him to choose out of so many outstanding players. However, he expressed confidence on his selection and expressed optimism about Rickie Fowler. Pavin defended the selection of Rickie and termed his performance in the Walker Cup as outstanding.
The selection by Pavin drew more attention because none of the shortlisted players reached the top 10 in the final tournament. The finally selected Fowler and J.B Holmes tied for the 11th slot at TPC Boston. Anthony Kim, who was not included in the team, missed three months during the summer due to thumb surgery. He was amongst the top eight in the final qualifying tournament. Similarly, other prominent players Lucas Glover and Charley Hoffman, who closed with a marvellous 62 to win the Deutsche Bank Championship, were not considered for selection in the Ryder Cup.
With Fowler’s selection, the number of rookies for the Ryder Cup has reached to five. Despite a winless PGA tour, Rickie Fowler’s selection in the US team has excited him. He has vowed to play with vigour and enthusiasm in the Ryder Cup.
Woods has planned to reach Wales on his own. Woods’ dexterity with the club makes him the most suitable option for Ryder Club. However, his only weak point is the record of 10-13-2 that casts some doubts on his form.
In comparison to the American Golf team, the European team includes six Ryder Cup Rookies. Amongst them are Italian brothers Francesco and Edoardo Molinari, Peter Hanson, Rory Mcllory, Ross Fisher, PGA Champion Martin Kaymer, Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter, Padraig Harrington, Luke Donald, Miguel Jimenez along with US Open Champion Graeme McDowell.
With the two giant teams jostling for the title, the event would provide an enthralling match between the two teams, much to the delight of ardent golf lovers. Let’s see who earns the Ryder Cup.
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