Events at Oakland Hills boost Euro hopes

Published on Monday 11 August 2008 23:53

ALTHOUGH US Ryder Cup captain Paul Azinger did his best to sound upbeat yesterday about how his side was taking shape for Valhalla next month, it was impossible not to surmise the US PGA at Oakland Hills was more of a boon for his European counterpart, Nick Faldo.

Apart from the fact Padraig Harrington became the first European winner of the season's last major since Tommy Armour in 1930, Faldo could also take satisfaction from the performances of Sergio Garcia and Justin Rose.

While Ian Poulter and Paul Casey are now favourites for the captain's two wild cards, Faldo is in the fortunate position of being able to consider experienced players of the calibre of Darren Clarke and Colin Montgomerie while Nick Dougherty and Martin Kaymer will also be in his thoughts if Luke Donald doesn't recover from a wrist injury.

On the other hand, the alternatives available to Azinger, who has four picks, are more limited. The qualification for the US team ended in Detroit with Phil Mickelson, Stewart Cink, Kenny Perry, Jim Furyk, Anthony Kim, Justin Leonard, Ben Curtis and Boo Weekley grabbing the eight automatic spots.

There's an element of Hobson's choice, however, about Steve Stricker, Woody Austin, DJ Trahan, Hunter Mahan, JB Holmes and the various other challengers who missed out.

In the absence of Tiger Woods, this is a US side short of star power.

Azinger won't name his picks until 2 September, two days after Faldo announces his team at Gleneagles. "We lost the best player in the game and we are all going to have to step up," said the captain.