U.S. RYDER CUP CAPTAIN Corey Pavin announced his four picks today at a PGA of America press conference. They are Zach Johnson, Stewart Cink, Tiger Woods and Rickie Fowler. Pavin, as seen in the above clip, revealed his picks in the kind of defiant fashion that marked his competitive career, pointing his left index finger and declaring, “My team is on the floor.”
I have no problem with it. I’ve always admired Pavin’s bulldog spirit.
All the reports I’ve read have emphasized the unity of Pavin and his assistants, so I was slightly surprised when assistant captain Tom Lehman leaned in and said, “What are you trying to do?” Maybe it has something to do with Lehman being a former captain. Who knows?
The crowd reaction was a bit unruly, but that’s not a huge surprise. With all the hype, you have to expect the picks aren’t going to go down easy with a lot of folks. Second and third guessing is the nature of the Ryder Cup beast.
But look at Corey! He just sets his jaw and waves his small black book.
The camera panned to Lisa Pavin and she gives the coach what could be interpreted as an adoring look. I might be reaching, but there it is.
And you got to love assistant captain Paul Goydos. Mr. 59 just smiles and shakes his head. He seriously needs a shave.
U.S. RYDER CUP TEAM
Automatic Berths
Phil Mickelson
Hunter Mahan
Jim Furyk
Steve Stricker
Jeff Overton
Bubba Watson
Dustin Johnson
Matt Kuchar
Captain’s Picks
Zach Johnson
Stewart Cink
Tiger Woods
Rickie Fowler
−The Armchair Golfer
(This is an ARMCHAIR GOLF spoof.)
But will they be wearing white belts? I see how you are trying to divert our attention from the real issues at hand.
That is an important question. And I admit I don't know the answer.
Why on earth is Tiger Woods on the Team ?
Sure he could have shown some class & decline the invite….he can't hit a fairway at this point,why not give a young player an opportunity….Woods is still very young & will be on countless other Ryder Cup teams.
He's on the team because he's Tiger Woods. That's pretty much it. It's not because he's playing particularly well. Match play should actually be better for him since his current inconsistency makes it hard to string together good holes and good scores. But he'll have to make some putts. And it will be interesting to see if his presence on the team is a plus or minus. He should do everything he can to make it a plus.