Corey Pavin - Selection Headache

Much has been publicised about the dilemma that Colin Montgomerie has when picking his wild card’s for the European Team.

The usually glum Captain of Europe has a number of stars outside of his points list and will defiantly have to leave a few big names out of the clash.

But what about his counterpart?

Corey Pavin has been left with the tricky task of picking four players from what could be a possible 13 on September 7th.
Well pick three players, take Tiger Woods for example in my opinion if Tiger wants to be in the Ryder Cup he will be, no doubt about it.

Pavin was quoted last week saying: “He’s high on my list and will certainly be a big consideration”.

I tell you why he is going to be in Wales. He is the World number one and okay I know your argument against that is how he’s been playing lately but with his divorce out of the way he will be doing everything he can to help team USA to victory, if he does then it will get a lot of people back on his side.

He has won 11 out of a possible 25 points since making his debut in 1997. His parings record is very up and down in both fourball and foursomes but he has only lost one singles match which was to Costantino Rocca in 97.

This is the first time in his career he hasn’t qualified for the team (when fit) in fact it’s the first time in his career that he hasn’t topped the points list. He will want to prove something to an awful lot of people.

So Pavin is leaving his selection a little later than the Europeans, something Paul Azinger did to full effect in 2008 when he picked players that were at the top of their game at that moment, something Pavin will look to do again.

Who is he going to pick?

So what others are on his shopping list of names? Let’s split them up:

First five - Ben Crane, Ryan Moore, Bo Van Pelt, Ryan Palmer and Nick Watney. Would they strike fear into the European team?

Next Five – Ricky Barnes, Sean O’Hair, Rickie Fowler, J.B Holmes and Lucas Glover. Now these are more stellar names and could well be an inclusion in the team.

Then you have the last few that are well out in front in the betting stakes:

Zach Johnson – Fresh from a tied 3rd finish at Whistling Straits, the Texan has been there and done it before in majors and a Ryder Cup.

Stewart Cink – A good friend of Pavin and former Open champion could add some well needed experience to the team.

Anthony Kim – Finished one place outside the automatic qualification despite having three months off through injury. If fit, expect the see the charismatic American in the team. Love him or hate him he was no doubt the best player for USA two years ago.

Out of the thirteen men named only four have victories this season, and two come from the first list with Ryan Palmer and Ben Crane winning back in January. Kim and Johnson the other two.

Adding to what I said about Cink and experience, the final three have all played in Ryder Cup’s before.

With four rookies in the eight men qualified already (Bubba Watson, Dustin Johnson, Jeff Overton and Matt Kuchar) Pavin will know that he needs experienced men to help them through three tough days.

So bring in the outsiders.    Bernhard Langer has been touted as a possible call so why not Freddie ‘Boom Boom’ Couples who is flourishing on the Champions Tour.

Fred Funk, undoubtedly has got better since he left the PGA Tour and is a recent major winner.

And last but not least Mark Calcavecchia who proved for three days at the Open he could still cut it with the youngsters.

These three men have 10 Ryder Cup appearances between them so don’t bet against Pavin springing a surprise just yet.

After this Sunday he will know who is team will be up against. A week later after the Deutsche Bank Championship in Boston, Pavin will name his men who he will take into what promises to be a great battle.