Give Rickie Fowler a Chance at Celtic Manor

There are a lot of blistering opinions about Corey Pavin’s final captain’s pick of Rickie Fowler for the upcoming Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor in Wales. The rookie has yet to win on the PGA tour and only qualified for one major in 2010, but it is only a matter of time until the noisily-dressed product of Oklahoma State breaks through on the circuit.

His strongest finish of the year was at the Waste Management Phoenix Open where he finished second, and was overcome by Hunter Mahan heading toward the finish in Scottsdale. Fowler did few wrong coming down the stretch posting a two-under par 34 on the back nine; Mahan was simply overpowering with an eagle and two birdies in the same stretch on his way to a fourth round 65 which would clinch the tournament.

Fowler’s other second place finish would come at The Memorial in the beginning of June. Fowler would hiccup in the finishing holes with two bogeys and a double on the back nine at Muirfield. Justin Rose would be the conqueror that day with a six under par 66.

There could be a few factors that cost Fowler his 54-hole lead on June 6, but they really do not translate into projecting failure for Fowler in the Ryder Cup.

If you want to say it is his youth that might spell trouble. Keep in mind that four-fifths of the Ryder Cup matches are team events, whether it is match play or alternate shot. Teaming the 22 year-old Fowler up with steady veteran players such as Jim Furyk, Stuart Cink, or Matt Kuchar would hopefully take youth and inexperience out of the equation on Friday and Saturday if he were selected to play. On Sunday, you would hope the skill Fowler has shown in flashes of his rookie season on tour would come through if matched-up correctly by captain Corey Pavin.

How about the allure of a Sunday match-up of Fowler taking on a younger, but slightly more major-seasoned Rory McIlroy? Even if the matches are decided by then, wouldn’t that give most non-Phil-and-Tiger golf fans a reason to tune in after they have already given up?

Of the handful of players who are ahead of Fowler on the Ryder Cup points list, 2009 US Open Champion Lucas Glover could make the strongest argument. Glover’s top finish this year was 3^rd at TPC Sawgrass where Tim Clark rallied to overtake him along with Robert Allenby on Sunday. However, Glover has been a non-factor in all four majors including a missed cut in the PGA. His most recent effort was T65 in the Deutsche Bank Championship after missing the cut at The Barclays. It is safe to say Glover is stumbling across the 2010 finish line, and might not be the best fit across the Atlantic.

Nick Watney is becoming one of the strongest golfers on tour. He began the season playing well with several top 10’s, and his splendid fourth round gave him a 7^th place finish at Augusta. He also finished T7 in the Open Championship with a respectable eight under par weekend on the Old Course. However, Watney’s no show on Sunday at the PGA Championship after leading might have been enough to scare Corey Pavin away. Had Watney finished off the tournament, it is possible his name is brought up nowhere near these discussions, because he would be locked in as an automatic pick.

Ben Crane, good win in January but, no thanks.

The aforementioned names disappeared off the radar in the past few weeks, and Pavin obviously felt it necessary to go with a mix of instinct and veteran leadership. Glover and Watney have had strong seasons, but had they finished tournaments when they needed, they might be guaranteed the automatic spot to the Ryder Cup and not looking on the outside waiting for the “you’re in” from Mr. Pavin. When it came down to picking them, Pavin obviously felt otherwise and went with someone who has played similar golf this season – less the major championships.

And dare I say it? Haven’t Watney and Glover had more productive seasons than the other controversial captain’s pick?

Enough contradiction, already. The captain’s pick is Pavin’s proxy and according to him he followed his own formula. If European bookmakers are correct, Fowler’s individual match on Sunday – whoever it may be against – will be academic anyway. That is what most American golf authorities are preparing for. Trying to find positives in a total European demolition seeking redemption and revenge for what happened in Kentucky two years ago.

Look on the bright side; couldn’t we consider it a positive if Pavin persuades Fowler to dress in a modest outfit?