I rarely delve into national sporting events on this blog, but the Ryder Cup is one of my favorite events on the professional landscape. With another one of the biennial competitions approaching and with the nine automatic qualifiers for the United States now determined, I give my insight on who should be the three captain's picks by Tom Watson (not that I have any pull whatsoever with the five-time British Open champion).
First, here's the nine members of the United States team:
1. Bubba Watson
2. Rickie Fowler
3. Jim Furyk
4. Jimmy Walker
5. Phil Mickelson
6. Matt Kuchar
7. Jordan Spieth
8. Patrick Reed
9. Zach Johnson
On paper, it's an interesting blend of those with Ryder Cup experience and those with not so much or no experience. The two long-term veterans are Furyk and Mickelson. Mickelson has played on every team since 1995, while Furyk has since 1997. Walker, Spieth, and Reed will be Ryder Cup rookies. While Walker is likely unknown by the casual fan, the fact that he finished fourth on the final points list says something about the year he has had. Spieth played on the U.S. President's Cup team last fall, and is a rising American star. Reed, like Walker, comes with a lot of unknown qualities. He stated he was a top five player in the world earlier this year, which made some headlines. Personally, I think the Ryder Cup rookie stuff is overblown a bit. These guys can all play golf, and play it well. Perhaps underrated is No. 9 Johnson, who seems to quietly make his way onto Ryder Cup and President's Cup teams, and usually performs well in those tournaments.
Now to the picks:
Ryan Moore - Another relative unknown to most outside fans, but Moore finished 11th on the final points list and has had a really good summer stretch of play. He would be the fourth rookie on the team, but as I stated before, I don't think that's such a big deal. He does have match play ability as a former U.S. Amateur champion.
Keegan Bradley - Bradley finished 13th on the points list. After 2012 at Medinah, I see no reason to really pass this guy up as a captain's pick. He teamed with Mickelson to go 3-0 over the first three sessions, and was our biggest cheerleader. He reminds me a lot of the late Payne Stewart in that way, a personality that I feel has been lacking on American teams since Stewart's last appearance in 1999.
Hunter Mahan - You have to go a little further down the points list to find Mahan, but I would pick him because I think he'll be hungry. In 2008, the last win for the United States, he made a number of great shots that helped the American side regain the Cup. But in 2010, he was in the final singles pairing and had a errant chip shot against Graeme McDowell cost him and the U.S. in a tight loss at Celtic Manor. And two years ago, Mahan was on the short list of potential captain's picks, only to be one of the odd men out. Based on the painful loss four years ago and then not being selected, I think Mahan is the perfect final addition to this team.
