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 Rickie Fowler finished fifth in the 2010 Farmers Insurane Open at Torrey Pines (PHOTO: Mark Susson). But thanks to solid showings at the first two PGA Tour FedEx Cup playoff events and signs of an improving golf swing, Woods proved to be a lock for the squad. Two of Pavin's other selections, major champions and Ryder Cup veterans Stewart Cink and Zach Johnson, also were fairly obvious choices. The true wild card on the 12-man roster is 21-year-old Tour rookie Rickie Fowler. Pavin has made no secret of his fascination with the Murrieta native, admiring his moxie and calmness on the course despite limited professional experience. Still, this is a risky selection. A case could have been made for J.B. Holmes, a two-time Tour winner who was one of the emotional leaders on the U.S. Ryder Cup squad that defeated the Europeans at Valhalla in 2008. Other players such as Lucas Glover, Nick Watney, Sean O'Hair and Ben Crane have at least one PGA Tour title and finished ahead of Fowler on the Ryder Cup points standings. Even Poway native Charley Hoffman, who just shot a 62 to win the Deutsche Bank Championship over Labor Day weekend, merited consideration despite being nowhere near contention for one of the eight automatic berths (he finished 57th, 10 spots behind Captain Pavin). Here's the case for Fowler: He has contended for multiple titles this season, something Hoffman cannot say. He has played very well in two appearances for the U.S. Walker Cup team, demonstrating himself not only as a match-play star on the course but an emotional leader off of it. Although he hasn't won yet, he's accomplished a lot in about a year as a professional golfer. This year, he is on his way to being a unanimous pick for Rookie of the Year thanks to top-five efforts at the Farmers Insurance Open, Waste Management Phoenix Open and Memorial Tournament. Team chemistry is pivotal for the Ryder Cup, and Fowler is friends with many members of the American squad, including San Diegan Phil Mickelson, Bubba Watson and Dustin Johnson. He has quickly established himself as one of the boys and shouldn't have any trouble fitting in. But Fowler isn't exactly in top form heading into the matches, which begin October 1. He hasn't contended at an official event since the Memorial in early June and hasn't cracked the top 20 since tying for 14th at the British Open. Despite the contention he's a cool customer under pressure, he ranked 94th on Tour with a 70.94 scoring average in the final round. What also concerns me about Fowler is his putting. Renowned as a great putter during his amateur days, he has been mediocre on the greens this season, ranking outside the top 100 in both putts per green in regulation and total putts per round. And although he's played well overall in the short time he has been a professional, a lack of experience — and success — at marquee professional events is a concern. I'm not saying Fowler isn't up to the task of playing on a stage as immense as the Ryder Cup, but perhaps the pick could have been used for someone who is used to the situation, especially since there already were four rookies on the U.S. Ryder Cup team before Fowler was added — Bubba Watson, Matt Kuchar, Jeff Overton and Dustin Johnson. Fowler is an exciting player who has the talent to compete on U.S. Ryder Cup squads for years to come. I'm just not sure it was his time for the 2010 squad. It's easy to be an armchair quarterback in these situations, and if it were up to me, I would have picked Holmes because of his Ryder Cup experience and improved putting touch this season thanks to work he's put in with Southern California-based putting guru Dave Stockton. But I don't dislike the selection of Fowler, and having spoken with Pavin about his mindset for the selection process, the fact he tabbed Fowler does not surprise me. "It came down to a feeling," Pavin said of Fowler. "I have a good gut feeling about Rickie." Plus, I don't see Fowler being the pick that makes or breaks the team's chances in Wales. He likely won't play in all five rounds of the three-day matches — I'd be surprised if he played in four. Do you agree with Pavin's selections? Sound off below. Eli Miller is the managing editor of Southland Golf. Reach him at emiller@churmmedia.com. MORE ON THE RYDER CUP: Corey Pavin leads U.S. against Europe in 2010 Ryder Cup How Pavin has fared at the Ryder Cup Paul Goydos brings wisdom as assistant captain Jamie Mulligan thinks Goydos has been one of a kind Southern California's connection to the Ryder Cup |
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