Patient Corey Pavin rewarded for keeping faith in Tiger Woods

Published on Tuesday 7 September 2010 19:11

AS EVERY man and his dog was offering their opinion on Tiger Woods, Corey Pavin did everything he could to switch off to the comments in the wake of the world No 1 producing the worst performance of his professional career as he finished 18-over-par in the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational a month ago.

Instead, the US Ryder Cup captain wanted to leave all his options open before deciding on his four wild cards and, after seeing Woods showing signs of a definite return to form in the interim, Pavin said he had no hesitation in picking him along with Stewart Cink, Zach Johnson and Rickie Fowler.

They join the eight automatic qualifiers - Phil Mickelson, Jim Furyk, Steve Stricker, Hunter Mahan and newcomers Dustin Johnson, Matt Kuchar, Jeff Overton and Bubba Watson - for the match at Celtic Manor on 1-3 October, and Pavin believes he's come up with a formula that will give the Americans a good chance of holding on to the trophy after their win in Kentucky two years ago.

"It came down to a judgment call on these guys," said Pavin of his selections. Asked if there had been any doubt about Woods being among them, he added: "I was just waiting and watching. I was hoping he was going to qualify on points and then it was a case of seeing how he has been playing. I didn't want to burden myself with overthinking. I didn't want to form opinions until this weekend and I was certainly pleased to see him playing better again."

Pavin revealed he had been delighted with Woods' reaction when he phoned him on Monday night after he had agreed on the four picks along with his vice-captains, Davis Love III, Paul Goydos, Tom Lehman and Jeff Sluman. "I told him we would like to have him on the team and he said: 'Absolutely, just tell me what you want me to do.' That's what a captain wants to hear from any player so I am happy he's excited to be on the team."

In the end, Pavin's picks were a lot more straightforward than the problems his European counterpart, Colin Montgomerie, was faced with just over a week ago when he left out Paul Casey, the world No 8, at the expense of Padraig Harrington, Luke Donald and Edoardo Molinari.

With four newcomers in his side already, he went for extra experience in Johnson, a former Masters champion, and Cink, the 2009 Open champion, while 20-year-old Fowler got the nod ahead of the likes of Anthony Kim, Lucas Glover, Nick Watney and Sean O'Hair for the last spot.

Johnson, who has been in good form of late, finishing third in the USPGA Championship, played in the 2006 match at The K Club, where he lost to Darren Clarke in the final-day singles on an emotionally-charged afternoon for the Irishman. Cink will be on Ryder Cup duty for the fifth time and this is the third occasion he has been handed a captain's pick. "I'm starting to get close to a record there," he joked.

As for Fowler, he is one the rising stars on the PGA Tour. In his rookie season, he has been second twice and racked up five top-tens, and Pavin believes he won't let the Americans down in Wales. "It came down to feelings - and I've got a gut feeling about Rickie," said the captain. "He's a very good player and also has a 7-1 (winning] record in the Walker Cup."

On the overall make-up of his team, Pavin added: "I think I have a good blend. I was pleased with the eight I was given after the PGA Championship (when the US points race ended] and I am also pleased with the four that have now been added. We have a lot of flexibility and that will give me many combinations that will work."

US wildcards

TIGER WOODS: Missed last match following knee surgery and team won without him. His only victory remains Boston 1999. Needed wild card for first time.

ZACH JOHNSON: Third place in USPGA not enough for automatic spot, but given wild card after five Tour titles since his Masters win.

STEWART CINK: No top-10 finishes in the five majors since his 2009 Open win, and with no more Tour wins either needed wild card for third time.

RICKIE FOWLER: First player ever to go from Walker Cup one year to Ryder Cup the next. Given wild card after three runners-up finishes.