If I am Azinger it is wide open, there is no one out there that is a must pick, quite frankly I like Tiger as a pick playing on one leg better than the other choices, at least he could make putts. Heck I might pick Fred Funk, or Corey Pavin just becasue they keep the ball in play and can wear people out, and they would not be intimidated.

Maybe Stricker, or Holmes becasue he is a home town boy, but the pickin's seem slim.

I am also interested what people from Europe think Faldo should do, should he pick Monty?

Your thoughts?

I would go with

Stricker
Austin
Mediate
O'Hair

Sean O'Hair, Brandt Snedeker, J.B. Holmes, and Zach Johnson.

Monty HAS to go 100%

Mediate to keep the team loose and relaxed, O'hair cause his form is excellent over the past few months, David Toms is an excellent putter and knows how to close, Stricker cause he can putt the lights out.

Austin
Mediate
O'Hair
Snedeker

Stricker's game has been shakey at best lately,

JB Holmes lost my confidence with his play on Sunday,

Johnson just doesn't strike me as a difference maker, he doesn't seem the competitive type (fiery head to head........)

they should pick me. the pick would be so strange it would throw the euorpeans off.

Monty is a pick for sure. If Faldo leaves him home, he'll look like
he's got an agenda, and Monty is money in the Ryder Cup.

For the USA -Snedeker-Stricker-Toms and Mediate.
3 great putters and a great team leader.

USA


Snedeker

Love

Holmes

Watson


Europe

Anyone but Monty

Echo that, but I'd rather see a vet like DL3 or Toms than J.B. Holmes. Holmes just doesn't have the consistency IMO.

Stricker, Mahan, Snedeker, Johnson - I like the young guns, the US team needs some new blood, and I like the way Stricker plays late in the season.

Loved Mahan a lot until he made those stupid comments about getting paid to play in the Ryder Cup. Think that alone might put him on the outside looking in. Shooting 81 and getting trounced my Azinger can't help any either. Personally I think Stricker and Snedeker are shoe-ins. From there you'd think Johnson, Trahan, and O'Hair would battle for the last two spots. Not sure what other opinions are but I don't like having Curtis on the team one bit. Feel his game is very suspect and streaky. IMO he'll play the least amount of matches for the Americans. Much rather have the KY grown Holmes then Curtis wearing the Red, White, and Blue.

it would take hell to freeze over for monty to make the team

Poulter and Casey I reckon for us.

Would love to see Darren Clarke make a run at it over the next 2 weeks but it is a long shot

Curtis beat Holmes by ten shots in round 4 and two shots in round 3. Plus he's a good putter which is always a big factor at the Ryder Cup.

Stricker
Snedecker
Funk
and are ready for this......Freddie Couples.

When it comes to the 'silly season' , Freddie gets the job done. As far as JB Holmes, look at his final round at the PGA. We need to win, not shot 81.

Would that be Tom?

Sean O'Hair has been rounding into form lately. I also like Justin Leonard for some "odd" reason.....usually a straight hitter, solid competitor, and has mojo on his side (no...not that Nike ball!!)

Personally considering Azinger has until Sept 2 to do this I think its early to predict

I will how ever give you the American contenders and my top eight picks

10 9 Steve Stricker 26 2,663.571
11 10 Woody Austin 31 2,422.983
12 12 D.J. Trahan 32 2,372.566
13 11 Hunter Mahan 33 2,304.517
14 14 Sean O'Hair 29 2,282.822
15 13 Rocco Mediate 30 2,273.660
16 16 Brandt Snedeker 24 2,248.887
17 15 Zach Johnson 28 2,184.508
18 17 J.B. Holmes 26 2,126.047
19 18 Jeff Quinney 23 2,024.187
20 19 Bart Bryant 28 1,900.256
21 20 Chad Campbell 32 1,827.430
22 22 Jerry Kelly 34 1,774.992
23 44 Steve Flesch 31 1,720.528
24 23 Heath Slocum 28 1,665.654
25 25 Paul Goydos 31 1,614.467
26 24 Briny Baird 28 1,586.664
27 26 Bubba Watson 31 1,547.341
28 27 Steve Lowery 24 1,517.986
29 28 Pat Perez 27 1,456.916
30 45 Ken Duke

Subject to change its all about who's hot


Ken Duke the guy is just playing well right now

Steve Stricker I want a great putter when we get it on

Bart Bryant lot of game would love to see how he would do

Woody Austin I was impressed by his President Cup play

Sean Ohare Young blood eat up with game

Rocco Mediate I love what he brings to the team

Steve Flesch Strong performance in the PGA and a proven winner

Fred Couples I know he is not on the list but he is a proven contender in the Ryder Cup I would love him to play his way in to a pic the next few weeks


European team

Well if Sergio has not made the team he would get a pick

Not sure who else deserves one (dont really care bring them on)

I will say this if Faldo passes on Monty without a thought its a big mistake. I know he has not been bringing his A game but he always does at the Cup.

If he does not pick Monty and looses I think he will hear about it.

Ok thats my wishy washy pics for now ask me again Sept 1st

If Zinger takes JB Holmes we might as well gift wrap the cup. He is not clutch. Stricker, Mediate, Austin, and a toss up between Johnson and O'hair.

Was wondering when someone would ask. YES

Rocco- The USA needs a character guy. Even if Rocco plays so-so this pick has value.

Couples- The guy always seems to play best toward year's end. Not the most talented pick available, but a veteran who is cool and collected out there.

Watson (Bubba)- He's young, he hits it a mile, he's got a good personality, and he could create some interesting pairings.

Pavin- Yes, he's a short hitter. Yes, his game has slipped. Yes, he's an unconventional pick. But pair him with the right player and he could surprise. Plus he's a gamer and a proven Ryder Cup performer.

Snedeker, Mahan, Zach Johnson, Raymond Floyd LOL jk Woody Austin

Still some weeks to go for the europeans (Aug 31st)

Currently qualified

The Ryder Cup World Points List
Updated: 11 Aug 2008
Position Player Name Points

1 Padraig HARRINGTON 343.03
2 Lee WESTWOOD 266.18
3 Sergio GARCIA 242.46
4 Henrik STENSON 233.13
5 Robert KARLSSON 204.76

The Ryder Cup European Points List
Updated: 11 Aug 2008
After the US PGA CHAMPIONSHIP
Position Player Name Points

4 Miguel Angel JIMÉNEZ 2092170.08
5 Graeme MCDOWELL 1993608.21

7 Justin ROSE 1424101.35
8 Oliver WILSON 1366285.71
9 Søren HANSEN 1363245.66


Logic would say Casey and Poulter

Yeah....Ben Curtis on the team?? IMHO I can't believe he is on the team. He's been off the map for like 2 years, all of a sudden he is contending in majors. No disrespect to the guy, he earned it, but I don't think he is one of America's best. It will be nice to see him wearing non-NFL duds though.

add for USA

JB Holmes huge weapon with hometown crowd and power game--
Steve Stricker - have hunch he will play way in
Dave Toms- steady guy starting to play well and reunite with Phil

then one out of these 4
O'Hair
Chad Campbell
Hunter Mahan
Heath slocum - dark horse who i will think would do well similar to Verplank wha has done well.


for europe I think Casey or Poulter make the team in the next 3 weeks knocking soren hanson or Oliver Wilson out..
That would leave either Casey or Poulter and possibly leave a spot for Darren Clarke or Monty

Honestly, after reading this thread and the responses EXCEPT for the above quoted one, I have to question what golf some of you guys have been following. Based on the standings alone, some of you are picking extreme dark horses...

IMO its Stricker, Austin, Mediate, and a 4th. I could see Zinger using that ONE pick to choose a rising young gun, but come on now, some of you think he's going to throw darts in a dark room to determine his roster.

I'll tell ya what, I would take his experience and ball striking under pressure all day, but his putter is way too shakey. Would be fund to watch though..

If someone gets hot the next 4 weeks I definitely pick that guy.....whether he's 300th in the rankings or 9th, I take the hot hand going in.

Here is what I am now thinking...
1. JB Holmes- hometown, and his power is great in match play, risk reward players will get some points and probably give some up as well, but he has played that course more than anyone on tour. I wouldn't freak out about his final round of the PGA, and what I really like about him in this format is the he plays so slooooow that it will drive the Euros crazy.

2. Stricker-He is a good putter, and that IMO is key in the Ryder Cup.

3. Toms-He is starting to play better and he has experience

4. Snedeker or Mediate-whoever is playing the best over the next few events. Love both of their attitudes.

All this being said if any of these guys are not playing well in the Fed Ex cup I would def. go with anyone else who is hot.

I agree.

I don't think Monty is a good pick this time.

Sean O'Hair
Fred Couples

And 2 from the Champions Tour

Jay Haas
Fred Funk

This team need some veteran leadership from someone who knows how to win and make pressure putts. Putting and short game will win this cup, therefore I pick guys who have proven that they perform under pressure. Haas and Funk has won on the PGA tour at 50 and can still win.

I agree Faldo will not pick him based on their history and the way he has been playing I still think its a mistake his record in the Cup stands on its own he deserves to be on the team based on that alone. Thats my opinion anyway

His record is great, for sure, but there comes a time when a player is no longer as competitive, and I think Monty has reached that time.

US Team:
Rocco Mediate - He'll bring some light heartedness to the team. He'll also talk the ears off of the competition.
Brandt Snedeker - He has been playing pretty good all year. He won't overthink the competition.
Woody Austin - He'll either play good, or scare the crap out of the competition when he hits bad shots.
Chez Reavie - He impressed me at the Canadian Open.

As for JB and O'Hair, they are putting badly. They can have one hot day, but they are not doing good day in and day out. If you don't have enough confidence in your alignment that you need your caddy to line you up, you're in trouble. It's just like with Sergio, when he started to get mechanical, his putting went down the drain. Now that he is going back to more feel, he is putting much better.

For the Europeans, how on earth could you pick Monty. The guys is playing terrible. I don't care what his past record is, at that time he was playing good. Paul Casey will be a must pick.

I'd go with:

Stricker- too good of a putter to leave off, plus he was very close on making it via points . . . his demeanor doesn't seem to change so his even temperment should be helpful.

Zach Johnson- he played really well in the President's Cup, so the different match types aren't something new to him nor is the team environment. I think his game meshes well with others- pretty straight off the tee, hits it close with the wedges, and putts pretty well.

I'd probably pick either:

Snedeker or Mahan- they can make birdies in bunches and the team format lets them gamble a little more if they are paired with a steady eddie.

O'Hair- he's just a solid pick. Has already won this year and is pretty solid overall . . . maybe a pairing with Cink will be magical?

I wouldn't mind if Zinger went with:

JB Holmes- aside from that horrid 4th round, he's played pretty well all year. He also made a very good showing at the Match Play early in the year. His fidgety slow play under pressure will probably affect anyone not named Tiger. He still played Tiger down to the wire head to head.

Austin- fiery competitor, apparently can outplay tournament winners from tee to green . . . pair him up with a good flatstick (Stricker) and that makes a tough team. Or if his flatstick feels like cooperating . . . he's a tough match up in his own right.

Funk- hasn't done much on the PGA Tour, but he does well under the gun and hitting out of the fairway is always a plus . . . and I would love to see Funk spike his hat after sinking a Cup clinching putt!

Dark horse for the Euros



Pablo Larrazabal

I agree that there's still time for a few changes to occur, and Hanson and Ollie Wilson could yet drop out of the frame and be replaced - and I don't honestly see either one getting a wild card if that should happen. As things stand at the moment I'd pick Paul Casey and Darren Clarke for the team as wild card choices.

Casey is a solid player with a good record in the past and some consistent play this season. He's got to be in. Clarke is a bit of a sentimental choice, but he's got the experience, has shown some semblance of recent form and I reckon that a reunion with his mate Lee Westwood could produce some points on the board.

Montgomerie has an inspired record at the Ryder Cup, but it's a long time since he's shown even a glimmer of form and, despite the feelings that he'll raise his game were he to be given a pick, I'm not sure. I think we'd have seen a least a bit of game raising in the lead-in - and we haven't.

Yes, why don't we throw in Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, Obama, and McCain to push the ratings higher? We can watch them fight it out with lob wedges and bikinis.

I kid, I kid......

For the US I'd go with Snedeker, Weekley, Zach Johnson, and Sean O'Hair. Don't like Stricker's game for match play. Woody and Trahan are streaky at best.

For the International I'd pick Oliver Wilson and Frederik Jacobson. They both having been playing pretty well lately. Too bad Luke Donald is out for the year.

Somebody actually agrees with me once....thanks.

I would like to see Darren Clarke gett added to the Euro team. He is playing well after going through alot. His win this weekend should help his chances. If he does make it and you pair him and Westwood together it probably won't be good for the other team.

I would like to see Monty on the team but I think we might have seen the last of him in the Ryder Cup as a player. Although he always seems to come through in these events he hasn't played well enough to justify the pick. This would pretty much tell other europeans that it isn't worth staying here and playing in your home town events to earn the points because they are going to pick whoever they want anyways.

For the Americans I would like to see Rocco Mediate and Bubba Watson added to the team. One is fun loving and would help ease the tension on the team and the other is streaky but could throw in alot of birdies in the team events not to mention getting the crowd going everytime they see the pink shaft come out of the bag.

For the Euro Team:
Monty, cause he always does well in the Ryder Cup
Darren Clarke, again always plays well in The Ryder, and still an emmotional pick

For the Americans:
Ben Curtis - Not only has be played well the last few weeks (contending), but he's a great putter
Sean Ohair - Good Form, good attitude
Rocco- He's had a good year, won't be as affected by nerves, and might help other people stay loose

He doesn't need to pick Curtis - he automatically qualified

Did Clarkes win Sunday not qualify him for the team? If not Faldo would be a complete and utter moron for not picking him. While I will be rooting for the Americans as patriotically as possible, I have to say if there is one Euro I would like to see play well it would be Clarke. Always liked the guy even before the tragedy with his wife. While he may not be the most consistant player in the world, he is one of the few that has the balls to take Tiger on head to head and win. No fear in that guy.

He is still a few places adrift in the European Points List, so probably can't qualify automatically even if wins this week too. Still, I agree that Faldo will pick him, as he wants winners. Darren won in style this weekend, and his game seems to be coming good at the right time. I think his invitation to the WGC Bridgestone really helped.

I agree he would make for a great pick.... but calling Faldo a moron should he not pick him is a little harsh don't you think? I'd be hard pressed to find fault with Faldo if he were to use his picks to add Casey and Poulter.

I totally agree with the Casey and Poulter selections as well. Darren is just one of my favorite golfers so I would like to see him make it. Obviously golf has not been his number one priority over the last couple years and that is why he hasnt' played his way on the team like he has in the past.

Okay, maybe not a complete and utter moron.........but seriously flawed in his thinking..........IMO........

U.S. Team Picks:

Steve Stricker
Woody Austin
Hunter Mahan
Brandt Snedeker

Darkhorse: J.B. Holmes

Euro Picks:

Paul Casey
Darren Clarke

Darkhorse: Ian Poulter

Casey and Clarke for me.

I wouldn't take Poulter, after his withdrawal from the Johnnie Walker at Gleneagles to play in the Fedex Cup tournament.