Davis Love III, the U.S. Captain, has selected Jim Furyk, Dustin Johnson, Brandt Snedeker and Steve Stricker to complete his 2012 Ryder Cup team, which will face the Europeans September 28-30 at Medinah Country Club in Chicago, Illinois.
These four players, signed by the Captain, join the eight players who had already qualified automatically after a two-year period that ended with the US PGA: Keegan Bradley, Jason Dufner, Zach Johnson, Matt Kuchar, Phil Mickelson, Webb Simpson, Bubba Watson and Tiger Woods. In addition, he will be advised by four Vice Captains: Fred Couples, Mike Hulbert, Jeff Sluman and Scott Verplank.
Snedeker is the fourth debutant of the U.S. team, while this will be the second edition for Johnson, who made his debut in 2010 at The Celtic Manor. The inclusion of Furyk and Stricker will mean their eighth and third participation respectively.
Davis Love III: “I am very happy with the configuration of the team; I think we have a great team this time. We need players who can kick very well and I think that, since the British Open, there hasn’t been a better player on the Tour than Snedeker; besides, I know he will bring a lot to his teammates on and off the course, and he is capable of playing with anyone. Johnson is the real athlete on the team, perfect for the Medinah course.
“We also need experience and Jim (Furyk) is one of the most consistent and respected players on the Tour. We’ve been partners five times, and in the last Presidents Cup his record was 5-0.
“The way I see it, Stricker has been the best player on Tour for the last five or six years, who I can match up with any partner and he’s also a great kicker. I know I can trust him on and off the course.
“The decision was not an easy one, there are many who have played really well and I could have dropped quite a bit further down the points list. The four players I have chosen will bring a lot to the team.
“The idea was to bring together players with chemistry, easy to form pairs, with experience, good kickers… and they meet all the requirements.
“You can’t imagine how excited I am to be able to work, chat and play with them for the next 22 days.”
For Phil Mickelson this will be his ninth consecutive Ryder Cup, which is a record for the U.S. team, not only for the most consecutive appearances but also for the most consecutive Ryder Cups.
United States Team
Ranking / Ryder Cup participations / Matches won-lost-drawn
1 Tiger Woods, 1997, 99, 2002, 04, 06, 10 / 13-14-2
2 Bubba Watson, 2010 / 1-3-0
3 Jason Dufner, Debut
4 Keegan Bradley, Debut
5 Webb Simpson, Debut
6 Zach Johnson, 2006, 10 / 3-3-1
7 Matt Kuchar, 2010 / 1-1-2
8 Phil Mickelson, 1995, 97, 99, 2002, 04, 06, 08, 10 / 11-17-6
Captain’s Picks
10 Steve Stricker, 2008, 1010 / 3-3-1
11 Jim Furyk, 1997, 99, 2002, 04, 06, 08, 10 / 8-15-4
13 Brandt Snedeker, Debuts
15 Dustin Johnson, 2010 / 1-3-0
The European team that will face the American is composed of: José Mari Olazábal (Captain), Nicolas Colsaerts, Luke Donald, Sergio García, Peter Hanson, Martin Kaymer, Paul Lawrie, Graeme McDowell, Rory McIlroy, Francesco Molinari, Ian Poulter, Justin Rose and Lee Westwood. Vice Captains: Thomas Björn, Darren Clarke, Miguel Ángel Jiménez and Paul McGinley.
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