10 Candidates for the U.S. Ryder Cup Team

Every sports fan has something that they care about just a little too much.

Not that there is anything wrong with being a bit obsessive about sports, believe me, I know from experience. But it seems like most true fanatics have at least one event that they care about way more than its worth.

For baseball fans, it might be the Home Run Derby. Maybe it's the draft for football fans, or the dunk contest for basketball fanatics. And if you're a NASCAR fan, then it's watching cars going around in a circle.

For me, it's the Ryder Cup.

I've never quite understood why I care so much about an every-other year exhibition golf match, but you better believe I will be glued to my couch watching every shot again this year.

With the matches just over a month away, it's time to rank the players Captain Corey Pavin might pick to fill the final four spots on the U.S. roster.

No. 10: Nick Watney

If Watney had just taken care of business on Sunday at the PGA Championship he would be off this list and already on the team.

Instead he shot an 81, finished T-18 and dropped to 17th in the Ryder Cup standings.

Aside from the blow-up at Whistling Straights, Watney has had a pretty good year, missing just two cuts and finishing in the top-10 at both the Master and the British Open. Even so, Watney has yet to earn a win, and his final round at the PGA doesn't exactly bode well for his ability to handle the pressure of a Ryder Cup.

No. 9: Ricky Barnes

Coming out of college, Barnes was one of the many players branded with the "Next Tiger" label. And like most of the others, he fell flat on his face.

Give Barnes credit with rebounding, however. Starting with his out-of-no-where second place finish at last year's U.S. Open, Barnes has earned over $1.7 million on the tour this year and has six top-10 finishes.

Still, Barnes comes in 16h on the points list, and has been too inconsistent to merit a captain's pick.

No. 8: Ryan Moore

Despite standing at 22 in the Ryder Cup standings, Moore remains a trendy choice for the team, and I'm not exactly sure why.

Moore has had a nice year, earning more than $1.7 million and has moved his World Ranking up to #32, but his numbers pale in comparison to everyone ahead of him on this list.  There is no doubt Moore will find himself on the Ryder Cup in the near future, just not this year.

No. 7: Rickie Fowler

If I was the Captain, I would pick Fowler just to see how he looked wearing some normal golf attire. 

I'm guessing Pavin has a few more requirements than I do, however, so Fowler will probably be left off the team.

Even so, Fowler has put himself on the map for more than just his clothes this season, coming in at 21st on the money list. His aggressive style and all-around demeanor could be a great asset to a Ryder Cup team, it just won't happen this year.

No. 6: J.B. Holmes

A member of the 2008 team who hits the ball a country mile, Holmes would seem like a shoe-in for this year's squad.

But Holmes has struggled this year, with just one top-10 finish since February. His average driving distance of 304-yards would be nice to have on the team, but with Dustin Johnson and Bubba Watson already on the team, length off the tee shouldn't be an issue for team USA.

He is fun to watch though, and teaming him with Watson for an alternate shot match would be must-see TV. And someday that might happen, but it won't be this year

No. 5: Lucas Glover

At 10th in the Cup standings, Glover would seem like a logical pick. However, most of his points came from his win at the '09 U.S. Open, and he has slipped to 42nd on this year's money list.

In the end, Pavin may still opt to go the safe route and add Glover to the team, but the U.S. would be better served to go with any of the next four players.

No. 4: Anthony Kim

The case for Kim is actually pretty simple. If Captain Corey Pavin plays it safe, Kim is off the team. If he is willing to gamble, Kim is in.

Kim is currently ranked ninth in the Cup points, but that's a deceiving number. The 25-year-old easily played his way onto the team after a successful 2009 campaign and a win at the Shell Houston Open early this year.

After following his win in Houston with a third place finish at Augusta, Kim Injured his thumb and missed three months, returning to the Tour just three weeks ago.

Kim has been rusty to say the least, finishing 76th at the Bridgestone Invitational followed by two missed cuts. Even so, his '08 Ryder Cup record coupled with his overall ability makes him a pick that Pavin should make.

No. 3: Stewart Cink

It's been a tough year for Cink, with no wins and nary a top five finish. Despite that, Cink would be a good addition to the U.S. squad.

As a former British Open champion, Cink certainly knows how to play across the pond, and considering this year's Open was devoid of U.S. flags on the leaderboard, that would be a nice asset to have.

In addition to that, Cink has made four Ryder Cup appearances as well as playing in another four Presidents Cup's. With the U.S. squad shaping up to be very young, some veteran leadership could become a very nice asset.  

No. 2: Zach Johnson

Its been an up and down season for Johnson, but his overall resume merits a spot on the team. He owns just two top-10 finishes this season, but one of them was a victory, with the other being a third at the PGA Championship.

Much like Cink, his steady approach to the game should fit in well with the likes of Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, and Bubba Watson, all of whom are very capable of putting up some crooked numbers.

In addition, Johnson plays a game that's very similar to Captain Corey Pavin's. That may not seem like much, but it certainly doesn't hurt his chances.

No. 1: Tiger Woods

Were you expecting anyone else?

By now everyone knows that this has been a tough year, on and off the course for Tiger, but that doesn't change the fact that he is still the most talented player on the planet.

There is a possible wrinkle in play, if he would decide to take some time off now that his divorce is final, but outside of him telling Pavin he doesn't want to play, I don't see any way he isn't on the team come October 1st.

Maybe the experience of being on a team is just what he needs, but even if his game is still missing, he will be a formidable foe during Sunday's singles matches.

And I'm guessing the NBC executives wouldn't mind seeing him out there either.