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2008 Ryder Cup Team Selections

I don’t agree with Paul Azinger’s picks at all.  Six Ryder Cup rookies and a lot of dead weight look to weigh us down in Kentucky.

The U.S. Ryder Cup captain selected Chad Campbell, J.B. Holmes, Hunter Mahan, and Steve Stricker, passing over spunky Rocco Mediate – who went head to head with the greatest player in the game in the hottest pressure cooker of all – Sean O’Hair, 2007 Masters champ Zach Johnson, and Woody Austin.  On a team that, most importantly, lacked depth, Azinger was only able to tap one dead weight, (Campbell) one phlegmatic player who is a grinder, but lacks fire, (Stricker), a long hitter who folds like a gun-metal grey chair and cheap card table, (Holmes), and a “Who?” in Hunter Mahan.

As Scooby-Doo would say, “Ruh-Roh Raggy!”

Chad Campbell scares no one.  Obviously Azinger wanted some experience, any experience on the team, but Campbell hasn’t been seen or heard from in ages.  he’s been wading about in mediocrity all his career, but especially lately.  Campbell, like Stewart Cink, is a terrific guy, but plays his best when it’s too late and doesn’t matter.

On that note, which Cink will show up?  The gritty, tough grinder who beat Sergio at singles or the Cink which tends to Shrink (pun intended) at critical moments.  My guess is a mixed bag.  Stew may go .500 for us, but much depends on the draw of the matches.  He’s streaky and unpredictable.  he could beat Padraig Harrington one day and lose to Oliver Wilson the next.

Unpredictable…that’s Mickelson, and with Woods gone, he is now the face of Team USA.  I love ya Phil, but we’re in a lot of trouble.  Which Phil is going to show up:  no driver Phil from Torrey or the Phil that can flatten anyone in his way when he’s hot?

Well, what do we have that’s good news?  Furyk.  As he goes, so goes this U.S> Ryder Cup team.  He’s as tough as they come and he’ll be fired up.  He’ll play great.  But he can’t do it all.  he’ll need virtuoso performances by Justin Leonard, another gritty scrapper who never gives up, and Kenny Perry, who’ll have a white-hot spotlight on him all week – which is exactly how he wanted it.  he wanted the ball – well now here’s his chance.

One last note:  Faldo’s ego may have blown several points by not taking veteran Ryder Cup Yankee Killer Darren Clarke.

I’ll have more on this at PGA.com later, but for now, here’s Sal Johnson.