Kuchar was named a United States captain’s pick for the 2016 Ryder Cup by captain Davis Love III and then joined Love, Rickie Fowler and J.B. Holmes on a conference call to discuss the event.
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Davis Love III remained coy when asked why he overlooked Bubba Watson when naming three of his four captain’s picks for USA’s Ryder Cup team.
His last hope is to be the fourth pick, which Love will announce on Monday week after the Tour Championship, the final event in the FedEx Cup series.
Kuchar has been a member of the last three Ryder Cup teams (and last six national teams) and is considered a good team guy, able to get along and play with anyone. I don’t know how popular he is with the other players, but intense winners are not always everybody’s favorite. He is 4-5-2 in his Ryder Cup career and has played on three previous American teams.
Mickelson justified the thinking behind leaving the captain’s picks so late. “We found no weaknesses in his game, he’s such a great team-mate and is really confident on the big stage”.
None of the three has won on the PGA Tour this season.
The 38-year-old has posted 10 top-10 finishes in his 25 starts, with three third places while also making the podium in golf’s return to the Olympic Games in Rio last month.
Kuchar will make a fourth Ryder Cup appearance, while Holmes returns to feature for the first time since playing in the US winning team in 2008. For me to make this team.
The 37th Ryder Cup was played at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky, in 2008 with Holmes playing a major part in the United States’ victory.
There seems to be a growing chorus that Love should do something different with his picks this week, that he should stay away from the tried and true and go with players who would be either rookies or who have limited Ryder Cup experience. Zero. The most matches without a Ryder Cup point in history.
“He’s such a great teammate”, Love said.
“We never thought Tiger Woods would be an assistant captain, we thought he would be playing”. “I think that’s the biggest thing I’ve told several players is it’s not a scoring contest at the Tour Championship for who gets the Ryder Cup pick”. He plays well all over the world; he travels well.
Now listed at seventh in the world, Watson is the highest-ranked player from either America or Europe not yet selected for the biennial USA -vs. He has been part of winning US teams in the Walker, Ryder and Presidents cups. He won at Riviera, but hasn’t won a singles match in three Ryder Cups.
Kuchar performed strongly in IN, finishing in a share of fourth, and the Olympic bronze medallist will head to the season finale in confident mood.
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Jacklin said:”I’m proud to host such a great event like this and raise some important money to support the incredible charity work of Rainbows”. In fact, the best thing that could have happened is they are now getting a fortnight at home to recharge their batteries ahead of the most intense week of all.
