Tiger Woods, Zach Johnson, Stewart Cink, and Rickie Fowler

[Cornbread]

[quote name='glcoach' timestamp='1283881612' post='2683481']

Glover would not have been a good pick at all. Negative Nancy, is not really someone you want to play with.
[/quote]

So why was Woods chosen then?

He's also never been a team player.

[MtlJeff]

this was the team i was hoping he'd pick. I really like the pics....Tiger is playing better and has maybe as much to prove as ever, i think Zach Johnson is a tough player who will thrive in the ryder cup and at the very least is a great teammate for the 4 player games, Stewart Cink is a veteran who has done well in match play and was on the last victorious team in 2008, and Fowler is a spark plug with a lot of game and is fearless

very good team, would not surprise me if they won. I think Europe is a little overrated, great on paper but not as much of a "team" as they used to be.

[tgtaggie]

I think Tiger beat Stewie like a drum 8&1 at Accenture a couple of years ago. IMO, I think the picks are fine. El Tigre's game normally translates well overseas and Fowler probably will prove some people on here wrong (or right). I think Phil will either be hot or cold that week. Zach's a pretty good putter and should be paired with a long hitter. Rickie and Bubba would be the pair that could dominate (real good friends. see Bubba's twitter. lol). I really don't know if Hoffman would have been a great pick. He has always been a hot or cold player (a couple of top tens or win for a couple of weeks then multiple miss cuts)

[Body_Visions]

I think Johnson is a good pick. He gets a lot out of his game and will always be there. Cink, I am not sure about. I think he is a personality that everyone likes so he is an okay pick. He can always hide Fowler.

The other pick had to be made. Of course, if he loses, that one will be questioned as well.


I think Monty had by far the harder choices. I think the system needs to be changed when guys like Casey and Rose don't make it on points.

[Tee_Party]

Real story here is Kuchar.

Swing changes full implemented, US Amateur champ, FedEx Cup leader __ guy's money.

[JASVA]

I'm fine with the captain picks, should be fun.

Three of the four picks were on Golf Central talking about how they were happy to be part of the team.

[Body_Visions]

[quote name='tea_bagger' timestamp='1283901784' post='2684166']
Real story here is Kuchar.

Swing changes full implemented, US Amateur champ, FedEx Cup leader __ [b]guy's money[/b].
[/quote]

I think he might be the biggest surprise of the Ryder Cup.

[Myclubsinatree]

I think Fowler is a great pick, and will perform well in a team environment.

[rankoutsider]

I think Fowler was chosen above guys like O'Hair because Mickelson wanted him on the team. He's said for a month that he would love Fowler as a partner. That's about all it took. Also, he's a ratings grabber plain and simple. Tiger was a no-brainer for that reason as well; yes, his form is coming around, but he's been hit and miss, even of late, so he is far from a guarantee. Still, nobody would have been that interested in the thing without Tiger in it, so that choice was forced on Pavin.

Johnson is a sound pick, Fowler is not a hard one, but Cink is a bit of a long shot. Lot's of experience in Ryder Cup, but most of it less than stellar. Lot's of new blood on the US side, so Pavin had to find a few veterans to balance that out, and Cink makes sense from that point of view. He can easily beat anyone he faces right not (except for the 5 guys on Europe that nobody is going to beat-- Molinari, Molinar, Jimenez, Kaymer, McIlroy-- I would not be surprised if the worst anybody on that list gave up was a half point).

[ntogolf]

[quote name='mlamar' timestamp='1283878933' post='2683409']
[quote name='Bellyhungry' timestamp='1283874106' post='2683245']
I wonder how the US wives' reception is towards Tiger
[/quote]


The Wives Letter to Tiger:

"Thanks Tiger for opening our eyes to the tour - We know you're not the only one escapading around. But since you're the Most Dominate and Recognizable Sports Figure on the planet - Thanks for taking one for the team. As a result, our husbands are back in line. BTW - the economics that has poured into the PGA since you came on tour has allowed us to Quit Working and Fly NetJets / Sentinent Jets / or whatever Jet we would like. Business Class and Coach is a thing of the past" ... Welcome back to the tour." WIN U.S.A - U.S.A - U.S.A
[/quote]Absolutely on point............... As if he's the only one getting some strange....

[tbowles411]

[quote name='ntogolf' timestamp='1283905853' post='2684278']
[quote name='mlamar' timestamp='1283878933' post='2683409']
[quote name='Bellyhungry' timestamp='1283874106' post='2683245']
I wonder how the US wives' reception is towards Tiger
[/quote]


The Wives Letter to Tiger:

"Thanks Tiger for opening our eyes to the tour - We know you're not the only one escapading around. But since you're the Most Dominate and Recognizable Sports Figure on the planet - Thanks for taking one for the team. As a result, our husbands are back in line. BTW - the economics that has poured into the PGA since you came on tour has allowed us to Quit Working and Fly NetJets / Sentinent Jets / or whatever Jet we would like. Business Class and Coach is a thing of the past" ... Welcome back to the tour." WIN U.S.A - U.S.A - U.S.A
[/quote]Absolutely on point............... As if he's the only one getting some strange....
[/quote]
LOL! What's funny is probably more than a few wives are thinking that! You don't put 40-50 millionaires in a PGA locker room and have only ONE guy cheating on his spouse...PLEASE! And seriously, when is the last time Philly Mick's wife HAD to shop at Walmart or Target??

[turbo4door]

Still unsure about the picks.

 

Fowler - Not really a huge fan (admittedly because of his odd attire...shallow as that may be on my part) but I think he is exactly the right choice for the team. Great attitude and he likes match play, even if he does have beiber fever (which is one of the funniest posts I've read on here )

Tiger - I don't think there was any other choice. Even if his game is off, nobody wants to play against him

Johnson - Meh....could go either way. I don't mind him, just not sure how well he will play over there

Cink - Yeah...I don't get it. Experience or not, the guy is a snooze. I'm sure he's nice, but I'm with a few that suggested Couples.

[iBanesto]

Stewart Cink

[bamoore]

Love the Fowler pick.
As been said he has a great matchplay record and is one of the best putters on the team. IMO he replaced the injured Kim as the birdie machine. Johnson with his control and flatstick is compatible with alot of guys, and Cink is the guy that brings the experience, cheerleading (i think he sits mostly) and the national pride.

Would love to see a Tiger/Rory anchor match in singles with the Cup still in doubt. Regardless of how Tiger is playing, I'm sure if he says he wants to go out last and possibly play Rory, Pavin has to pull the trigger.

[boomgoesthedynamite]

[quote name='tbowles411' timestamp='1283871522' post='2683163']
Holmes, Dustin Johnson and Bubba on the same team? Three bombers who have game? That would have been sick!
[/quote]

Except for the fact that Monty has already said that he is going to set up the course to penalize the bombers on the American team.


[quote name='BILL12x' timestamp='1283874304' post='2683252']
Cink was picked because of his love for, and good play on, links style courses.

Not a bad pick for those reasons, but who are you going to play him with? Tiger??
[/quote]

Cink and Zach Johnson are very good friends and play alot of practice rounds together.


[quote name='dlygrisse' timestamp='1283876596' post='2683337']
The real question no one is asking is "Will Tiger bring a date/escort to the ceremonies along with the other wives? " Or will he go stag?" Inquiring minds want to know......
[/quote]

I've been saying the same thing for the last month. It will make the opening ceremonies Must See TV!


[quote name='Sabaka' timestamp='1283880668' post='2683446']
Actually, I would have picked Couples in lieu of Cink. Freddie can bomb it when required and has been putting great this year. Add him to the team, and the chemistry changes completely for the better.

He may not be as good as he once was, but he's as good once as he ever was. And, could show these guys how to put it all together for a week when needed.
[/quote]

That's great and all, until of course Freddie's back acts up on the 9th hole of the morning matches on the first day, so the team is down to 11 guys for the next two days, and then Freddie limps around and loses 5&4 in singles.


[quote name='A.G.Blade' timestamp='1283885051' post='2683604']
Cink stinks in the pressure, about as intimidating as Big bird,
[/quote]

He smelled pretty good during the playoff at the Open in '09.

[quote name='A.G.Blade' timestamp='1283885051' post='2683604']
and Zack will make 2 putts for par on the back for halves only to lose 2 and 1.
[/quote]

They said the same thing about Tim Clark when he played Tiger in the 2nd round of the '09 Accenture. The steady par guy isn't going to do anything spectacular, but if they get the lead, they are hard as hell to beat.

[quote name='A.G.Blade' timestamp='1283885051' post='2683604']
I think they need to not only look at Champion's Tour guys but Nationwide as well, someone whose playing well and would handle the pressure.
[/quote]

Yeah, let's replace Cink and Johnson with Fred Couples and Two Gloves. Freddie's back will love the cool weather in Whales in October and Two Gloves couldn't make it on the big tour his first time out. He's sure to hold up under Ryder Cup pressure.

[potuna]

Charlie got hosed, he should have the spot that went to Fowler.

[B5G4B]

Rose, Casey, Kim, and Mahan could take on any four guys from the two teams and win. Just saying. Plus, leave it to a singles hitter like Pavin to pass up the chance to add JB or Freddie to Dustin, Bubba, Phil, Tiger, etc. Can't overpower many courses with Zach or Stewie. That being said, leaving Rose and Casey off the team is much, much worse. Could be a total debacle for Monty.

[boomgoesthedynamite]

[quote name='B5G4B' timestamp='1283916357' post='2684671']
Rose, Casey, Kim, and Mahan could take on any four guys from the two teams and win. Just saying. Plus, leave it to a singles hitter like Pavin to pass up the chance to add JB or Freddie to Dustin, Bubba, Phil, Tiger, etc. Can't overpower many courses with Zach or Stewie. That being said, leaving Rose and Casey off the team is much, much worse. Could be a total debacle for Monty.
[/quote]

No argument on Zach, but Cink is 3 yards longer than Freddie off the tee on average.

[reginaldo]

It's tempting to think of picks in terms of who's the better golfer or who's the better matchplayer but the analysis cannot end there. Corey Pavin was very focused on the concept of [b]who will play well in Wales[/b] and his picks look pretty good from that perspective. In particular, Tiger travels pretty well, Cink is an Open champion and Fowler had a good result in the Walker Cup in Wales. Phil Mickelson's paltry return of a half point from 5 in 2006 is a good example of the importance of this element. Furthermore, harmony in the locker room is crucial and three of Pavin's four picks look good on that front.

[rgk5]

[quote name='The Big Number' timestamp='1283892699' post='2683879']


So if you pick based on the money list then I guess Tiger was a bad pick.
[/quote]


Different guys, different reasons. I'll suggest Woods was picked to bolster the TV ratings.

[Toby]

I think the pics were all pretty good. But, on the other hand, I'm European!

Hope we get to see both teams in some decent attire this time... Personally, I would like to see see J.Lindeberg dress the Euro team. The US could use Tabasco... ;-)

[gotem]

[quote name='Toby' timestamp='1283942498' post='2684921']
I think the pics were all pretty good. But, on the other hand, I'm European!

Hope we get to see both teams in some decent attire this time... Personally, I would like to see see J.Lindeberg dress the Euro team. The US could use Tabasco... ;-)
[/quote]

tabasco? haha.

id like to see the US team uniforms to be fowler like attire... that would be a trip! i want to see a rowdy european crowd and for the US to take it! RF pick was surprising but i really do like it.

[flgolfer]

Fowler is the best pick for team play. He's best friends with Bubba Watson on tour. They do all kinds of crazy stuff together, check them out on twitter.

[Tee_Party]

How do you put Fowler on for his amateur record when he's never won a US Amateur, and leave Jeff Quinney off the team when he's a US Amateur champion?

[mikeh1]

[quote name='flgolfer' timestamp='1283944139' post='2684942']
Fowler is the best pick for team play. He's best friends with Bubba Watson on tour. They do all kinds of crazy stuff together, check them out on twitter.
[/quote]

now I know why Fowler is picked

[Tmiller72]

I'm shocked that multiple people think Hunter Mahan was left off the team. Good lord!

[bamoore]

[quote name='tea_bagger' timestamp='1283945659' post='2684959']
How do you put Fowler on for his amateur record when he's never won a US Amateur, and leave Jeff Quinney off the team when he's a US Amateur champion?
[/quote]


He was 7-1 in the Walker Cup and won a host of "other" amateur events although little of them were matchplay i believe.

[bobmarley]

[quote name='tea_bagger' timestamp='1283945659' post='2684959']
How do you put Fowler on for his amateur record when he's never won a US Amateur, and leave Jeff Quinney off the team when he's a US Amateur champion?
[/quote]

Yes let's take someone who is 126 in points.

[cAsE sEnSiTiVe]

[quote name='flgolfer' timestamp='1283944139' post='2684942']
Fowler is the best pick for team play. He's best friends with Bubba Watson on tour. They do all kinds of crazy stuff together, check them out on twitter.
[/quote]


Yes....always a prerequisite for great results!

[cAsE sEnSiTiVe]

[quote name='gotem' timestamp='1283943523' post='2684932']

id like to see the US team uniforms to be fowler like attire... that would be a trip! [/quote]


Yeah....march on into Wales looking like a bunch of schoolgirls. That'll intimidate. LOL