Ryder Cup Blog II - U.S. Picks
September 4th 2008 19:41
Here are the captain Azinger's four picks:
1) STEVE STRICKER
Probably the only "slam dunk" pick, Stricker is the foursome specialist among the captains picks, as he's known more for a steady approach around the golf course. Despite 1) not winning in 2008 and 2) being a Ryder Cup rookie, this has been the one non-criticized pick by Azinger. Which REALLY shows how weak the U.S. is after seven or so in the standings.
2) HUNTER MAHAN
The official "eh, screw it. Let's take this guy" pick. To me I don't see a lot of upside or downside to Mahan, just like the 52 other guys who could've been taken here. Could have been Woody Austin or Scott Verplank, but I guess Stricker took the quota of 40 consistent PGA grinders. Mahan is only 25, and I believe will be a big name on the tour years to come. But, I'm not overly impressed with him RIGHT NOW.
3) CHAD CAMPBELL
I love this pick. Seriously, why are people even criticizing this one? Seven top tens this year, previous Ryder Cup experience, great ball striker who will produce some birdies. Seriously, people want Woody Austin or Scott Verplank over Campbell? No way, folks. There's way WAY more upside here.
4) J.B. HOLMES
And, the pick I hate. He won back in January on the only PGA tour course he has ever won (TPC Scottsdale. HEY BUT HE BEAT PHIL MICKELSON IN A PLAYOFF!!! HE CAN BEAT A RYDER CUP PLAYER FOR ONE HOLE!!! LETS SIGN HIM UP FOR 2010 TEAM ALREADY)
. He has two top-10's since and none since mid-May. Oh, and he completely laid out during the fourth round of the PGA Championship in the final day with a smooth little 81. Yes, he hits the ball 400 yards. So does Bubba Watson. And John Daly. And Harrison FRazar. And Tag Ridings. However, they won't bore his playing partner to death with five hour rounds like the notoriously slow J.B. Holmes will. (However, if Azinger selected Ben Crane, then by all means take Holmes, pair those two together in the final pairings, and watch Europe try to find razor blades for the slashing of the wrists.
CONTENDERS:
SEAN O'HAIR.
PROS: Won early in March. Two thirds, including one in July at the Canadian Open. Has been on 60 minutes. Or is that a con?
CONS: No team experience. Had that collapse back in '07 at the Players. Very streaky.
DECISION: Definitely over Holmes. And I'd take him over Mahan.
D.J. TRAHAN
PROS: Won in '08 (Bob Hope in Feb.), had a 4th at the U.S. Open and a 7th just a couple weeks ago at Firestone. Has amateur team experience (Walker Cup - '01, Eisenhower Cup - '02) and is a former U.S. PubLinx Champ.
CONS: Inconsistent. Azinger might've mixed up D.J. Trahan with J.B. Holmes? (Ah, THAT explains it.)
DECISION: Same as O'Hair. Honestly, no. I'd likely take Trahan over O'Hair.
BRINY BAIRD
Not really. I just wanted to pimp out P.F. Chang's.
THE OVER-THE-HILL GANG: (Verplank/Mediate/Austin/Kell y/Mayfair).
Verplank: Not playing well this year. It would be the same as giving Monty a Euro pick, and that didn't happen now did it?
Mediate: Had one helluva U.S. Open. After that? Meh.
Woody Austin: Okay, the guy finished 10th in the standings and seems to be liked by all. Also, he's such a sad sack. I mean seriously, the guy always looks like someone told him his cat died, then that someone punched him in the gut. I would've liked to seen him, esp. over Holmes or Mahan.
Kelly/Mayfair: Pass. Fred Couples would've gone before these two.
So who would I have gone with?
Steve Stricker (consistent, 9th on the points list, has team experience)
Chad Campbell (lots of upside, gives you a good birdie guy, experience)
D.J. Trahan (playing a little better than the other under-30 choices.)
Woody Austin (for comedic purposes/leadership role).
1) STEVE STRICKER
Probably the only "slam dunk" pick, Stricker is the foursome specialist among the captains picks, as he's known more for a steady approach around the golf course. Despite 1) not winning in 2008 and 2) being a Ryder Cup rookie, this has been the one non-criticized pick by Azinger. Which REALLY shows how weak the U.S. is after seven or so in the standings.
2) HUNTER MAHAN
The official "eh, screw it. Let's take this guy" pick. To me I don't see a lot of upside or downside to Mahan, just like the 52 other guys who could've been taken here. Could have been Woody Austin or Scott Verplank, but I guess Stricker took the quota of 40 consistent PGA grinders. Mahan is only 25, and I believe will be a big name on the tour years to come. But, I'm not overly impressed with him RIGHT NOW.
3) CHAD CAMPBELL
I love this pick. Seriously, why are people even criticizing this one? Seven top tens this year, previous Ryder Cup experience, great ball striker who will produce some birdies. Seriously, people want Woody Austin or Scott Verplank over Campbell? No way, folks. There's way WAY more upside here.
4) J.B. HOLMES
And, the pick I hate. He won back in January on the only PGA tour course he has ever won (TPC Scottsdale. HEY BUT HE BEAT PHIL MICKELSON IN A PLAYOFF!!! HE CAN BEAT A RYDER CUP PLAYER FOR ONE HOLE!!! LETS SIGN HIM UP FOR 2010 TEAM ALREADY)
. He has two top-10's since and none since mid-May. Oh, and he completely laid out during the fourth round of the PGA Championship in the final day with a smooth little 81. Yes, he hits the ball 400 yards. So does Bubba Watson. And John Daly. And Harrison FRazar. And Tag Ridings. However, they won't bore his playing partner to death with five hour rounds like the notoriously slow J.B. Holmes will. (However, if Azinger selected Ben Crane, then by all means take Holmes, pair those two together in the final pairings, and watch Europe try to find razor blades for the slashing of the wrists.
CONTENDERS:
SEAN O'HAIR.
PROS: Won early in March. Two thirds, including one in July at the Canadian Open. Has been on 60 minutes. Or is that a con?
CONS: No team experience. Had that collapse back in '07 at the Players. Very streaky.
DECISION: Definitely over Holmes. And I'd take him over Mahan.
D.J. TRAHAN
PROS: Won in '08 (Bob Hope in Feb.), had a 4th at the U.S. Open and a 7th just a couple weeks ago at Firestone. Has amateur team experience (Walker Cup - '01, Eisenhower Cup - '02) and is a former U.S. PubLinx Champ.
CONS: Inconsistent. Azinger might've mixed up D.J. Trahan with J.B. Holmes? (Ah, THAT explains it.)
DECISION: Same as O'Hair. Honestly, no. I'd likely take Trahan over O'Hair.
BRINY BAIRD
Not really. I just wanted to pimp out P.F. Chang's.
THE OVER-THE-HILL GANG: (Verplank/Mediate/Austin/Kell y/Mayfair).
Verplank: Not playing well this year. It would be the same as giving Monty a Euro pick, and that didn't happen now did it?
Mediate: Had one helluva U.S. Open. After that? Meh.
Woody Austin: Okay, the guy finished 10th in the standings and seems to be liked by all. Also, he's such a sad sack. I mean seriously, the guy always looks like someone told him his cat died, then that someone punched him in the gut. I would've liked to seen him, esp. over Holmes or Mahan.
Kelly/Mayfair: Pass. Fred Couples would've gone before these two.
So who would I have gone with?
Steve Stricker (consistent, 9th on the points list, has team experience)
Chad Campbell (lots of upside, gives you a good birdie guy, experience)
D.J. Trahan (playing a little better than the other under-30 choices.)
Woody Austin (for comedic purposes/leadership role).
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