Dilemma for Davis

"If only it was as easy for me, as it was for you, Jose."

On Tuesday, September 4th, the day after the scheduled conclusion of the Deutsche Bank Championship, U.S Ryder Cup Captain, Davis Love III, will announce his four Captain's Picks, which will complete his 12 man team for the 39th Edition of the Matches. 

However, unlike Jose Maria Olazabal, who had a considerably less complicated decision to make, the U.S qualification system, in addition to the widespread improved form of the American players in 2012, has left the 48 year old, Love, with a bit of a problem. His automatically qualified 8 are good, very good in fact, but so are another half a dozen who marginally missed out, when the deadline fell after the PGA Championship. In amongst this group of near missers are Ryder Cup stalwarts, future stars, and some of the form players of this season. Whether the fact they missed out is an indicator of a dramatic increase in U.S strength, or a failing in the qualification system, is debatable. I would argue that it's a combination of the two. But I digress. Ultimately Davis will leave have to leave a few very dissapointed, and arguably deserving, men out. You would have to imagine that he already has, in his mind, a prefered group of players that he will pick, taking into consideration their perceived compatibility with the 8 players who have automatically qualified. However, cases can be made for a number of potential picks, and should one of them win the Deutsche Bank, even someone who was outside Davis' initial thoughts, then they could force the Captain's hand.

The one positive for Davis Love, and the Americans fans, is that any of the combinations won't be weak, and all have the potential to alter the course of a match on their day. However, that doesn't make this decision any easier for him, and we may gain an insight into the direction of his Captaincy with the players he selects on Tuesday.

Lets take a closer look at the touted contenders.

Hunter Mahan

Age - 30

World Ranking - 18

2012 PGA Tour Money List - 6

Ryder Cup Rank at Close of Qualification Process - 9

Ryder Cup Appearances - 2

Presidents Cup Appearances - 3

PGA Tour Wins - 5

Best Finish in 2012 - Win - WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship + Houston Open

Last 5 Results - CUT, CUT, T55, T48, T19

Steve Stricker

Age - 45

World Ranking - 10

2012 PGA Tour Money List - 13

Ryder Cup Rank at Close of Qualification Process -10

Ryder Cup Appearances - 2

Presidents Cup Appearances - 4

PGA Tour Wins - 12

Best Finish in 2012 - Win - Hyundai Tournament of Champions

Last 5 Results - T54, T7, T2, T23, T5

 

Jim Furyk

Age - 42

World Ranking - 31

2012 PGA Tour Money List  - 18

Ryder Cup Rank at Close of Qualification Process - 11

Ryder Cup Appearances - 7

President Cup Appearances - 7
PGA Tour Wins - 16
Best Finish in 2012 - T2 - Transitions Championship + WGC Bridgestone Invitational
Last 5 Results - CUT, T42, T2, CUT, T34

Rickie Fowler

Age - 23

World Ranking - 23

2012 PGA Tour Money List - 17

Ryder Cup Rank at Close of Qualification Process - 12

Ryder Cup Appearances  - 1

President Cup Appearances - 0

PGA Tour Wins  - 1

Best Finish in 2012 - Win - Wells Fargo Championship

Last 5 Results - T24, CUT, T60, T31, T41

Brandt Snedeker

Age - 31

World Ranking - 20

2012 PGA Tour Money List - 11

Ryder Cup Rank at Close of Qualification Process -13

Ryder Cup Appearances -0

Presidents Cup Appearances -0

PGA Tour Wins -3

Best Finish in 2012 - Win - Farmers Insurance Open

Last 5 Results - 2nd, T28, CUT, T50, T34

Bo Van Pelt

Age - 37

World Ranking - 28

2012 PGA Tour Money List - 20

Ryder Cup Rank at Close of Qualification Process -14

Ryder Cup Appearances -0

Presidents Cup Appearances -0

PGA Tour Wins -1

Best Finish in 2012 - 2nd - AT&T National

Last 5 Results -T24, T18, T8, T7, CUT

Dustin Johnson 

Age - 28

World Ranking - 16

2012 PGA Tour Money List - 21

Ryder Cup Rank at Close of Qualification Process -15

Ryder Cup Appearances -1

Presidents Cup Appearances -1

PGA Tour Wins - 6

Best Finish in 2012 -Win - FedEx St. Jude Classic

Last 5 Results - T3, T48, T19, T9, T33

Bill Haas

Age - 30

World Ranking - 33

2012 PGA Tour Money List - 27

Ryder Cup Rank at Close of Qualification Process -17

Ryder Cup Appearances -0

Presidents Cup Appearances -1

PGA Tour Wins - 4

Best Finish in 2012 -Win - Northern Trust Open

Last 5 Results -CUT, T7, T32, T19, T19

Nick Watney

Age - 31

World Ranking - 19

2012 PGA Tour Money List - 19

Ryder Cup Rank at Close of Qualification Process -30

Ryder Cup Appearances -0

Presidents Cup Appearances -1

PGA Tour Wins - 5

Best Finish in 2012 -Win - The Barclays

Last 5 Results -1st, T31, CUT, T19, T23