Golf news: Tiger Woods, Stewart Cink, Zach Johnson and Rickie Fowler savour the wild cards
Finally the wild cards mystery is solved and the names of the players who will ride the Ryder cup at Celtic manor in October have been disclosed.
Yesterday morning at 10:30 a.m. the captain of the team announced his wild cards to four players. These players were the world number one Tiger Woods, Stewart Cink, Zach Johnson and Rickie Fowler.
The most evident speculation became true when Corey Pavin called Tiger Woods and told him that he was the part of the team that was going to represent the continent. This decision was the easiest at the same time the most difficult for the captain. There are three reason for it being the easiest; firstly Tiger has been improving his form and that can be seen from his recent performances especially the last one at TPC Boston, where he finished 11th on the leader-board. Secondly he was referred by the captain of the opposite team as according to Monty, Tiger’s name was a sign of media attention, and lastly Tiger is still the world number one, which means it is not easy to make a team without the player who happens to be at the top of the OWGR. These were the reasons behind Corey’s decision of being easiest. Now comes the solid one-liner for it being difficult; Tiger Woods is the sole American golfer, who has faced the most defeats than any other player in one season.
The other lucky player, 21-year-old Rickie Fowler was the least expected person on the list but the interesting fact is that he made his debut to the Ryder cup after covering the fastest distance from the amateur Walker Cup to the Ryder Cup in just one season. Rickie is by record the third-youngest player in context of age to represent USA in the Ryder Cup. Prior to this decision, Pavin was thinking of considering Anthony Kim, as he was the member of the Ryder cup team that played in 2008 and won. However, due to his thumb injury, he was left out.
After the announcement of the four wild cards, Corey Pavin told the media that he had a gut feeling for this young Californian. He said that although Fowler is one of the youngest players on the team of 12 men but he is one of the finest golfers on tour. Moreover he has played with Dustin Johnson in the Walker cup three years ago, in which the American team defeated the British and the Irish teams.
When Rickie Fowler was asked for his reaction over being handed over the wild card, he giggled and said that he could not sleep last night because of anxiety, however, he was very excited over the fact that he was finally on the Ryder cup team. He assured his fans that he might not be Anthony Kim but he surely would bring a lot of energy and enthusiasm into the team.
According to the experts, this was a very wise decision, as team sacked media attention through Woods, energy through Fowler and expertise from Cink and Johnson. Stewart Cink and Zach Johnson were the winners of the 2007 Masters, which means they will prove to be a good addition to the team.
Wrapping it up, Corey Pavin has announced four wild cards. Tiger Woods, Rickie Fowler, Stewart Cink and Zach Johnson are the final four players to make an entry into the team of 12 players. Rest of the team has been finalized early on the basis of FedEx points. So far the final team is ready but is the team perfect competitor for the giants of the European team is a question that will be answered after October 3rd when the winners of the Ryder cup will be announced.
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