Ryder Cup 2006: Who does Lehman pick??
I had an entire post written on Sunday afternoon, hoping that Lehman would win the International and jump into the top 10 (#7) of the US Ryder Cup standings almost guaranteeing him the opportunity to play at the K Club in September. Nevertheless, "Superman" Dean Wilson beat him on the 2nd playoff hole and my post was a waste.
However, after talking to Young Tom Morris last night, I decided that Lehman's decisions still merited discussion on The Golf Blog.
The standings after the International (Top 10 automatically qualify):
1. Tiger Woods - 4,150
2. Phil Mickelson - 2,474.375
3. Jim Furyk - 2,076
4. Chad Campbell - 1,129.602
5. David Toms - 1,072.250
6. Chris DiMarco - 830
7. Vaughn Taylor - 780.833
8. J.J. Henry - 778.750
9. Zach Johnson - 756.477
10. Brett Wetterich - 746
11. John Rollins - 685
12. Stewart Cink - 676.894
13. Jerry Kelly - 653.750
14. Lucas Glover - 641.376
15. Davis Love, III - 631.875
16. Fred Couples - 627.727
17. Tim Herron - 621.667
18. Tom Pernice - 615
19. Tom Lehman - 612.917
20. Scott Verplank - 595.667
As many of us know, the US Team, as it stands now, will be full of rookies. However, with Lehman, Corey Pavin, and Loren Roberts as the "coaching" staff for the US Team, does it matter that the US Team has the rookies? Or does Lehman need to pick up a few "veterans" to help the squad? Or should Lehman pick himself or another of his captains to play?
I know it is a bit early to speculate on who Lehman should pick, but if I were him, and this was the way the results ended. I would have to go with Couples and Glover. Couples is the man in Ryder Cup play and he would make sure that he was ready to play when his name is called. And, Glover just simply wants it and will be playing in many Ryder Cups to come.
What do you think? Who would you pick as the 2 "wild card" selections?
13 Comments:
I would pick Couples and Love. They both have huge experience in the Ryder Cup and on a good day are as good as anybody.
Couples and Love have huge experience in the Ryder Cup... with losing. They used to be better than average at best and are now slipping --especially DL3. It's the whole reason the scoring method was revamped, to avoid this same cast of characters.
How about Jerry Kelly? He's not a popular pick, but has done well lately and I like his fire. The man is a bulldog in spikes.
If that pick doesn't freak you out, how about Ben Crane? He's a great putter, bonds well with most people (claims he doesn't hold a grudge against Sabbatini and understood his fustration), and a singles match between him and Sergio could last eight hours! Seriously though, I think his style of play would be great for the fourballs or alternate shot.
He definitely won't pick himself, and he definitely will pick Love and Couples.....Lehman's a good guy, but he's got no guts to make bold picks.
Anybody notice how 9/15 top money leaders on tour are not Americans? Top three are, but after that......where's our next crop of young players?
Id go with Couples and Love to, add some experience..
Couples and Love are two of my favorite players and I'd love to see them make the team and lead the US to victory in September. But that's my heart. My head says that picking both of these guys would be a collasal mistake by Tom Lehman. They have both had poor years and their games have definitely taken a turn for the worse.
It's possible that they might elevate their games for the matches, but it seems more likely that their play will be mediocre at best, particular Love. I say that Lehman might be safe picking one of them, but not both. Pick one and then find another young player or crafty veteran to round out the team.
That said, I don't think it matters who he chooses. While the top 5 or 6 on the US team is strong, I just don't see the US being able to win this Ryder Cup. In fact, I don't think the matches are going to be close. I see Europe, which has more experience and always tends to play better during this event, has the much stronger and deeper team. I think the US team will be decided underdogs, particularly playing in Europe in front of hostile crowds, and is in for a potential beating at the hands of Ian Woosnam's team. Woosnam, by the way is probably going to make Padraig Harrington one of his picks, and that is a much stronger pick than either Couples or Love.
Cink and Pernice are good picks
Stewark Cink is Mr. Choke! What a waste of 2 1/2 points he'd be.
Couples for inspiration -- if he's putting well, no one can beat him.
Frankly, I like Mike Weir as a second choice.
I'll assume the Mike Weir comment was a joke. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and assume that you know that the Ryder Cup is between the USA and Europe. I'll go one further and assume you know that Canada is a sovereign nation and, therefore, is not part of the United States. Furthermore, Mike Weir is a citizen of the sovereign nation of Canada. Hence, he is not eligible for the Ryder Cup.
Again, I'm hoping this explanation was totally unnecessary.
Mike Wier is Canadian MrSchoch...
I'd pick Cink becuase he's a vet and he's playing strong.
I'd pick Jerry Kelly because you know he'd get fired up for this.
RE: "Anybody notice how 9/15 top money leaders on tour are not Americans? Top three are, but after that......where's our next crop of young players?"
Hence, I'll choose Mike Weir. (I should have made reference to the post)
Where is the faith in our American youth, and what's money got to do with it? Throw Jason Gore at them! Get Walrus, Jr., and see if he has the tusks.
Was Pavin and old guy when he was pulling off miracles at the Ryder cup?
Gimme the young and hungry, and forget the money list or the age.
You are a wacko...put down the bong.
I like to call it my "medicine," Mr. Anonymous.
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