The Ryder Cup is a little more than two months away and there is no buzz. No one is talking about it and no one is writing about it. It used to be included in just about every final-round game story written in the United Kingdom from January on. Not this year. I guess when you have back-to-back blowout snoozers, it's not big news anymore.
While we're still two major championships away from the Ryder Cup at Valhalla in Louisville, Ky., let's take a look at how the U.S. lineup is shaking out. Let's just assume the points list is final now. Here's who would be on the team:
Phil Mickelson. He won twice this year but fell flat on his face in his big home-game Open at Torrey Pines. With Tiger Woods out with a knee injury, he's the only guy in the lineup who's sure to play in all five matches... even though his recent Ryder Cup performances haven't been all that stellar.
Stewart Cink. He's been the most consistent U.S. player this season and finally got on the board with a victory recently in Hartford. He's been a solid match-play performer. He wiped out Sergio Garcia in singles in the last Ryder Cup, one of the few American highlights.
Kenny Perry. With Woods out, count him in as the hottest American. His Buick Open victory last weekend was his second of the year and should have clinched him a spot among the top eight point-getters. He's a good team guy, popular with just about everyone, and will create an instant (and vocal) rooting section as a native Kentuckian. The Americans needed a local guy on the team. They've got one.
Jim Furyk. He has quietly had a solid year despite not winning. He's always strong in match play, especially in singles, and he toughed it out at the K Club despite a bad back. The U.S. needs him to be at his best for this week.
Justin Leonard. He figured to be a Ryder regular but hasn't made a team since he holed the putt heard 'round the world in 1999 at Brookline. Surprisingly, there wasn't more discussion of him as a possible wild-card selection two years ago. Then again, he's had a career of being underrated. He's a great clutch putter. The U.S. team has missed him.
Woody Austin. As Aquaman, he became the official team spirit of last year's Presidents Cup squad. He'll do anything to help the team, including run through a wall or try to hit a ball underwater, and that attitude (which has been missing from some top players) was infectious. If he doesn't make the team on points, he's an odds-on favorite to be a pick by captain Paul Azinger.
Boo Weekley. He's a younger Woody, another guy who'll be a total team player and a loyal follower. He might've made a good partner for Woods, but his ballstriking makes him easy to partner with anyone.
Anthony Kim. He's young, he's confident, he's long and he can putt. Kim has the makings of a future superstar and it's great that he can gain some Ryder experience at 22. He'll bring some young-gun swagger that the Americans haven't had since Mark Calcavecchia and Ken Green were on the team in '89.
If that's your lineup, Captain Azinger, who else do you add with your four wild-card selections? The problem in past years has been that nobody has stepped up in the summer and played well. It's different this time around.
After a two-year run of the best play of his career, Steve Stricker has slipped into a quick slump. If he has a top-ten finish or two, or plays well in either the British Open or PGA Championship, he's an obvious pick.
