Ryder Cup 2012: Davis Love III Gets Captain's Picks Just Right

As it turns out, Davis Love III knows his golf.

Imagine that. 

In case you hadn't heard by now, the American Ryder Cup captain made the four final team picks early Tuesday morning (via Ryder Cup Twitter account):

"

To confirm, Davis Love III's Captain's Picks go to: Dustin Johnson, Jim Furyk, Brandt Snedeker and Steve Stricker. #RyderCup

— Ryder Cup Team EUR (@RyderCupTeamEUR) September 4, 2012"

The captain's picks are often the most crucial part of the Ryder Cup, and with the amount of American golfers to fill those four spots at an all-time high in 2012—I counted at least 10 guys who could have conceivably been picked—Love's job was far from easy.

Well, he got it just right.

Let's start with the obvious choices, Jim Furyk and Steve Stricker. 

Stricker, who will be making his third Ryder Cup appearance, not only brings the important veteran factor, but he's been incredibly consistent on the golf course. 

The 45-year-old has one win, seven top-10 finishes, 11 top-25 finishes (including seven of his last eight) and has made 16 cuts in 17 tournaments in 2012. Most importantly, he's a terrific putter. 

No brainer.

As for Furyk, let's call it a lifetime achievement pick.

It's not like the 42-year-old, who has two second-place finishes and 11 top-25 finishes in 21 tournaments and sits in 21st in the Fed-Ex Cup rankings, is that much of a stretch as a pick, but there was really never any question that the incredibly accomplished veteran would receive his eighth Ryder Cup pick. 

After those two locks, things got a little messy.

But because there were no clear candidates for the final two spots, it was believed that the Barclays and Deutsche Bank Championship would go a long way in determining the lucky duo. 

That thinking turned out to be spot on. 

Brandt Snedeker finished second at Bethpage and sixth at TPC Boston while Johnson came through with a third-place and fourth-place finish, respectively.

Yeah, I'd say they earned it. 

There were other worthy candidates. Hunter Mahan, Rickie Fowler and Bo Van Pelt all come to mind, but none of those three proved to be in as good of form as the men who were chosen.

Because of Davis Love III, the Americans are in prime shape to take home the Ryder Cup at Medinah later this month. 

Follow @t_keen