Pavin Picks Woods, Johnson, Cink and Fowler for U.S. Ryder Cup Team
Sep 7, 2010; 1:06 PM ET
United States Ryder Cup captain Corey Pavin announced his four captain's picks in a press conference at the New York Stock Exchange on Tuesday morning, going with three seasoned veterans and a 21-year-old rookie without a victory on Tour.
As expected, world No. 1 Tiger Woods led the quartet, joined by Stewart Cink, Zach Johnson and winless but promising Rickie Fowler, the only surprise in the bunch.
"It was tough to sleep last night," Fowler said in a teleconference with all four wildcards. "It was awesome to be selected. I have to thank Corey for giving me the opportunity to go over there."
Fowler and Jeff Overton, who qualified on points, will become the first two Americans to play in a Ryder Cup team without having won on Tour.
Anthony Kim, 16th in the world, was the highest ranked American not chosen to make the trip to Celtic Manor in Wales, site of the Cup, Oct. 1-3. Although he was a leader of the winning American side at Valhalla in 2008, Kim has not made a cut in four tries since returning from a thumb injury last month.
Charley Hoffman, who fired a 62 to win the Deutsche Bank on Monday, was a late addition into the mix of players vying for a pick, but, alas, perhaps too late.
While three-time major champion Padraig Harrington was the lowest-ranked European to be chosen as a wildcard at No. 19, Cink was the lowest-ranked American at 36th. Fowler is close behind, though, at 32nd.
The discrepancy is one of a handful of reasons why the Americans will be big underdogs when the Cup begins in 23 days, despite having won the biennial match in '08.
Cameron Morfit for GOLF Magazine
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