Decision night for Ryder Cup captain Pavin

[bogie]

* Assumes Woods and Z. Johnson will be 2 of the picks.

Congratulations to Mr. Hoffman for shredding the course and winning in Boston.

As for the Ryder Cup, one can't do better than winning a last-minute audition and having good all-around stats. Hoffman deserves a passing glance. He doesn't have enough high finishes during 2010 to merit serious consideration.

Hoffman: Last 3 starts; T-10 Turning Stone, T-27 Ridgewood, W Boston.
Best Results: W Boston, T4 Canadian Open
Stats: Driving distance: 297 yrds, 66.26 GIR (110th), Putt avg: 1.755 (28th), Birdie avg: 3.86 (16th), Scoring avg: 70.46 (42nd), Scrambling: 60.38

DB Final: Palmer -10, Holmes -10, Cink -9.

Candidates

Cink: Last 3 starts; T-18 PGA, Ridgewood T-15, Boston: Apx. T-18.
Best result(s) 2010: T-8 Memorial. Won British Open in 2009.
Stats: Driving Distance: 292 yrds, GIR: 68.38 (43rd), Putt avg: 1.781 (92nd), Birdie avg: 3.59 (67th), Scoring avg: 70.48 (45th), Scrambling: 55.81.
Comment: Steady eddie whose results and stats are nothing special this season.

Palmer: Last 3 starts; T-33 PGA, Ridgewood T-5, Boston Apx. T-13.
Best result(s) 2010: W Hawaii, 2nd Firestone.
Stats: Driving distance: 295 yrds, GIR: 65.36 (133rd), Putt avg: 1.748 (17th), Birdie avg: 3.81 (21st), Scoring avg: 70.91 (101st), Scrambling: 54.64.
Comment: Of the 4 players on this list he's most in form and his putting avg stat is eye catching.

Holmes: Last 3 starts; T-24 PGA, Ridgewood Cut, Boson Apx. T-13.
Best Result(s) 2010: T-2 Pebble, T-3 Riviera.
Stats: Driving distance: 306 yrds, GIR: 65.14 (138th), Putting avg: 1.767 (52nd), Birdie avg: 3.83 (18th), Scoring avg: 69.88 (6th), Scrambling: 63.35.
Comment: Holmes is a streaky player and has had an OK post PGA stretch.

Kim: Last 4 starts; PGA Cut, Greensboro Cut, Ridgewood Cut, Boston Cut.
Best result(s) 2010: W Houston, 2nd Honda, 3rd Masters.
Stats: Driving distance: 286.5, GIR: 64.91 (143rd), Putting avg: 1.782 (92nd), Birdie avg: 3.55 (75th), Scoring avg: 70.32 (30th), Scrambling: 64.33.
Comment: His game is totally out of form since returning from the surgery. Picking him would be a leap of faith in his talent, past results in team matches and the intangibles he brings to the locker room.

Whom I would pick: Z. Johnson, Palmer, Woods, Kim.

Pavin will pick: Woods, Z. Johnson, Cink, Holmes.

[BonoVox]

* Assumes Woods and Z. Johnson will be 2 of the picks.

Sorry Kim if anything should bow out of contention. I love the guy but he is just not 100%, well make that even 80%. See him 2 years from now. No need to throw out a sacrificial lamb. (I guess the same could be said for Tiger but at least he is building momentum where Kim is lacking at this moment anything resembling momentum) Get well soon Kim and hope you dominate next year!

[Chilli Dipper]

Hoffman had a great week, but it shouldn't be enough to raise his overall profile.

You talk about Ryan Palmer's putting statistics, but Brandt Snedeker is leading the tour in putting this year, plus five top-tens in 2010 (including at the U.S. Open). I'd pick Holmes, Johnson, Snedeker, and Woods.

[BonoVox]

Fowler would be fun. Though no wins. Pavin "just do it"!!!

[mcfc_nick]

im still picking AK due to the fact that there's a month still until the cup and despite being cut this week he still showed hints of getting back there on friday, plus team tournaments seem to be his thing. its a big risk but id still pick him

then id pick fowler, he seems to be a very confident golfer which always helps in these events and i personally dont believe that the fact you have a few rookies on the team doesnt make a difference.

but anyway, what do i know, im european, i just want it to be as exciting as possible!

[jamo]

After 4 straight missed cuts, I really wouldn't want to pick Kim, but he is 9th on the standings so he's still close. I would pick Tiger, Zack Johnson, Sean O'Hair, and I guess Kim. IMO the only guys who I could possibly pick over Kim would be Watney or Rickie Fowler.

[BonoVox]

After 4 straight missed cuts, I really wouldn't want to pick Kim, but he is 9th on the standings so he's still close. I would pick Tiger, Zack Johnson, Sean O'Hair, and I guess Kim. IMO the only guys who I could possibly pick over Kim would be Watney or Rickie Fowler.

It will be really interesting. I will be up at 7:30 AM to hear it announced. AK is a favorite of mine. (one anyway) Will Pavin take the risk though? Correct me if I am wrong, but is he out for the rest of the season's events? Will that play into Pavin's decision? (something tells me of all the players on the bubble, or making a decision......Pavin is the only one sleeping sound tonight) LOL

[bogie]

How would 2008 Captain Azinger's PODS apply to the 2010 team based solely on interviews, news reports and fuzzy distant impressions of the players personality types:

Aggressive: Woods CP, Mickleson, Kim CP, Mahan,
Steady: D. Johnson, Kuchar, Stricker, Z. Johnson CP,
Influencers: Furyk, Watson, Overton, Palmer CP,

On my hypothetical team using the personality pairing system the Morning 4-ball would be:

Woods/Mahan; Mickleson/Kim; Furyk/Watson, D. Johnson/Kuchar

The first 2 pairing for the afternoon alternate shot would depend on the morning results. But the 4 who didn't play in the morning would definitely play in the afternoon:

Stricker/Palmer; Z. Johnson/Overton

Stricker is a steady player who I've seen get emotional about his long grind to becoming a top 10 player in the world while Palmer has established his foundation that also works with kid patients at NW Texas hospital.

Johnson is a steady player who also grinds hard to get every ounce out his game and Overton is known for wearing his emotions on his sleeve on the course.

[mcfc_nick]

It will be really interesting. I will be up at 7:30 AM to hear it announced. AK is a favorite of mine. (one anyway) Will Pavin take the risk though? Correct me if I am wrong, but is he out for the rest of the season's events? Will that play into Pavin's decision? (something tells me of all the players on the bubble, or making a decision......Pavin is the only one sleeping sound tonight) LOL

He's 34th and playing this week at the bmw

[JWL1957]

Jeff Overton should yield his spot to another player who has actually won on tour. If I were Captain, I wouldnt use him unless we had a healthy lead in the Cup matches. He looks like a meltdown waiting to happen.

My Picks:

1. Tiger....... he is still the MAN
2. Zach ....... tough
3. Cink........ steady eddie
4. Hoffman.... why not?

NO way:
1. A. Kim ..... injury is still a issue
2. Fowler..... no wins
3. Crane.... tough choice..... he seems like a good player
4. Glover
5. Holmes....... he would spend the week in the rough.

[iacas]

3. Cink........ steady eddie

Hoffman has barely played in majors and Cink hasn't done squat all year.

Holmes not only played well in 2008, plays well in the British Open, putts incredibly well, AND hits the ball miles (intimidating), and you leave him off in favor of Cink?

[JWL1957]

Hoffman has barely played in majors and Cink hasn't done squat all year.

Yes I would leave JBH off. Montey will have the rough grown in for the week. I think his distance would be neutralized. Yeah........ I know Cink is down to 50th place on the money list right now but I am sure that he can get his game back to form. I like Holmes too, but I would prefer a down the middle steady eddie.

[Chilli Dipper]

Corey can let JB loose during the best-ball sessions. Pair him up with someone like Kooch or Furyk who will find fairways when he doesn't, and there will be no problems.

Ultimately, none of the bubble players (other than Tiger) have distinguished themselves during the evaluation period. I expect Holmes, Johnson, and Woods, but that fourth pick is anyone's guess.

[newtogolf]

Pavin will be 2nd guessed no matter who he picks, especially if they lose. I'd like to see him pick the team he honestly believes has the best chance of winning rather than those that are most popular.

[Tiger Spuds]

Golf channel jumping the gun and blowing the news before the press conference?

Woods, Johnson, Cink and Rickie Fowler according to their 'sources'.

[Alex B]

Woods, Z. Johnson, Cink, Fowler.

[JWL1957]

Fowler with ZERO wins over a slew of established players?

[lonewolf]

Fowler with

Um. check his match play record. good pick IMO.