US Ryder Cup team profile (Part 2)
Dustin Johnson is next in the list, ranking 24 in the world. He has had three PGA victories and zero major victories. Dustin won the PGA tour’s Pebble Beach Pro-am in the beginning of the year. The 26-year old also led the US open in June at Pebble Beach by three shots leading into the final round before falling back. Known as one of the longest hitters in the game, he confirmed his spot in the team after tying for fifth at last month’s PGA championship. Johnson could have made that fifth place tie into a victory had it not been for the two-shot penalty he was given after he finished. In the 2007 Walker Cup, he went against Rory McIlroy. With Rory there for the Ryder cup as well, Johnson looks to forward to refresh history one more time.
Another player in the Ryder team is Jeff Overton. Ranking 47 in the world, Overton hasn’t had any Major or Tour victories yet. Just like Dustin Johnson, this Ryder Cup will be his debut one. Even though Jeff hasn’t been victorious, he has given back to back top six finished on the 2010 PGA Tour. This includes three runner-up spots as well. Overton represented the US amateurs in the 2005 Walker Cup and obtained the winning point in the last day singles. Playing professional golf since five years now, the 27 year old Overton is very enthusiastic to play in Wales.
Matt Kuchar is also in the list. The 32 year old player ranks number eleven in the world and has three PGA tour wins. Not having any Major victories, Kuchar will play in his first Ryder Cup event. He claimed his first PGA Tour title in 2002 at the Honda Classic. Matt mesmerized the world when he won the 1997 US Championship as an amazing amateur prior to turning professional in 2000. He went through very relaxed years before getting into shape again in 2007. This season, Kuchar has come out with the top 10’s in the US circuit. Matt really satisfied Captain Corey when he was victorious at the Barclay’s tournament that took place in New Jersey recently last month. Matt beat the Scottish Martin Laird when he shot a 7-iron out of the rough that caught sufficiently on the 18th green and then caught enough of the slope to go back towards the hole and stop thirty inches away to establishing a winning birdie. Right now Matt is playing the FedEx cup and hopes to win it, but the Ryder cup has him pumped up as well.
The aforementioned players were automatically qualified for the Cup due to their Ryder points. This leaves us with four players that impressed Pavin in one way or another. It was a big shocker when Tiger Woods didn’t automatically qualify and a lot of people though that he won’t play for the Ryder cup at all. Tiger’s personal scandals had greatly affected his game as well and he hasn’t played up to the mark this season.
However, it’s not really possible to be world number one and not play for Ryder cup now is it. Wood’s was one of the wildcard named by Captain Corey Pavin on September 7th. The 34 year old has had 71 PGA victories and 14 Major victories. Tiger has played in the Ryder Cup for five times and is known as the best player of this era. Poor Tiger has been subject to many rumours and has been greatly criticised on his worsening game. Tiger should really utilize this Ryder opportunity to overcome the rumours and gain the respect he was once given by the world.
Zach Johnson is another wildcard pick. Ranked number seventeen in the world, Johnson has had 7 PGA tour victories and 1 Major Victory. Johnson got his first and only major triumph in 2007 at the US Masters. He has also won his seventh PGA Tour title at the Colonial tournament that took place in May. Zach has just played the Ryder cup once in 2006 and is really excited to relive the Ryder experience.
Another wildcard pick on the team is Stewart Cink. Having six PGA tour victories and 1 Major victory, the 37 year old is ranked number 35 in the world. His biggest win was at the 2009 British open where he defeated Tom Watson in a four-hole playoff. Having played four President Cups and four Ryder Cups, Cink is definitely a player to look forward to in the Ryder cup.
Being the youngest player on the team, Rickie Fowler is really enthusiastic for the Cup. Ranking number 33 in the world, he is known as the most exciting young talent in the game. He has made two runner-up finishes in his first year on the PGA Tour. He stayed undefeated in the 2009 Walker Cup he played during his amateur years. Rickie has superb confidence and Captain Corey has a lot of trust in his abilities.
From the most experienced to the least experienced, this year’s Ryder team is truly a mix of talents. One ground and twenty four amazing players from all around the world, the Ryder cup is surely a thrilling event to look forward to.
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