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The automatic qualification of Peter Hanson and Miguel Angel Jimenez, whose heavy European Tour schedules gave them an opportunity to crack the top 9, and his own stuborness in not selecting Americanized Paul Casey, mildly depleted Colin Montgomerie's "embarassment of riches."
But if mood is any indicator of impending performance, the Americans should consider skipping the 2010 Ryder Cup altogether.
Corey Pavin's announcement lacked the zeal and drama of his Euro counterparts. Actually, the delegates on hand from the PGA of America and his assistant captains should've dressed in funeral garb to complement the somber nature of the occassion.
Pavin coldy delivered four predictable Captain's Picks from the New York Stock Exchange Tuesday morning. Twenty-one-year-old Rickie Fowler's inclusion was the only choice that could've registered as a surprise.
Stewart Cink, Zach Johnson and Tiger Woods rounded out the U.S. wild cards.
"What was important to me is who I thought could play well in that environment over in Wales on European soil," Pavin said. "That was my first criteria. Obviously I like guys that are playing well, and that's important, as well. I wanted to find guys that round off the team and make it a team of 12, not 12 individuals that are great players. I wanted 12 players that made up a great team.
"That was my objective, and I've succeeded, I hope, and we'll find out in a few weeks," Pavin droned. "But that's where I wanted to go with this, and the important thing was to match up these four with the eight that are already on the team."
Woods delivered a few astoundingly unenthusiastic comments via teleconference, matching the tone set by his new captain.
On paper there isn't really a clear favorite for the latest installment of golf's premier international competition. Both squads boast four of the top eight players in the world. Neither team has a player outside of the top 50. Statistically speaking, the worst player on the U.S side is Jeff Overton (No. 47). The lowest-ranked European is Peter Hanson (No. 43).
Advantage push.
Sure, the Europeans have the Welsh home court advantage, but I'm still not buying into the theory that a friendly crowd can have a transformative affect on a golf tournament. After all, you can't exactly make noise to disrupt a no huddle offense or chant D-E-F-E-N-S-E in somebody's backswing.
As Paul Azinger proved in 2008, the real tipping point of the Ryder Cup competition is the emotional state of your team. Can they co-exist in alternate shot and fourball matches? Do they have a passion for team competition? Are they motivated to kick the collective ass of a nation or nations?
On some level, I think the controversy over Monty's Captain's Picks and the omission of Casey and Justin Rose will serve as a rallying point for the Euros. There certainly seems to be more buzz and bad blood emanating from the other side of the Atlantic.
Pavin's selections did little to shake things up and generate excitement among the Americans, and that spells trouble for the US-A come Oct. 1.
I can't construct a convincing argument against selecting veterans like Cink and Johnson based on experience, recent performance and career achievement. But safe, conservative picks are not what the American team needed.
As I've previously written, I believe Pavin should've opted for a more youthful lineup that included Sean O'Hair and Anthony Kim over Cink and Johnson.
My argument then was building for the future. That hasn't changed, but looking at the bigger picture now, I don't sense a fierce urgency of now in the eyes of the American golfers with the exception of Bubba Watson and Fowler.
Why not pick another pair of 20-somethings and hope they all get hot at the same time?
If this season of professional golf has proven anything, it's that past performance and experience can't be used as the only indicators for success right now.
Louis Oosthuizen dominated at the Open Championship, and finished it off in convincing style despite any previous instances of contention in majors.
Dustin Johnson went through two of the most tragic Sundays in the history of golf, but at 26 he nearly won 50 percent of this year's majors. Martin Kaymer beat Johnson, and he's never won a major before. Overall, guys in their 20s owned the PGA Championship.
In an unpredictable year, why not shoot from the hip and hope for the best? A "very pleased" Corey Pavin just punted on 4th and 7 from his own 38 with 2:02 on the clock and two timeouts. It's the safe play, but chances are he comes out on the losing end regardless. Why not build for the future and stoke that youthful sense of entitlement Americans are famous for heading into this year's competition?
My prediction - a very pleased team doesn't win the Ryder Cup.
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