2010 Ryder Cup: Why the U.S. will win . . .

Team USA for the 2010 Ryder Cup

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Unproven rookies with unheralded resumes who are ranked low? Is this any way to put together a Ryder Cup team?

Most definitely.

After all, didn’t the Europeans thrive with such a formula – or do you not remember Peter Baker, David Gilford or Philip Walton?

With Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker flexing muscles and Phil Mickelson guiding rocket-launching birdie machines Dustin Johnson, Jeff Overton and Bubba Watson, color this road trip red, white and blue.

Captain Corey Pavin

Photo by Getty Images

U.S. Ryder Cup captain Corey Pavin

Into battle against bazookas, Pavin employed a pop gun. While others went up and over, Pavin chose down and around. Whereas most went with 3-wood and 8-iron, he arrived with driver and 4-iron. Forget power; Pavin preferred guile.

Certainly, size dictated his approach. But what made it work was a ferocious spirit, grit and determination.

Finally, Europe is Goliath in the Ryder Cup? Who better to captain the U.S. than David?

U.S. Team

Stewart Cink

Stewart Cink

Age: 37

Residence: Duluth, Ga.

Ryder record: 4-7-4

2010 wins: 0

World rank: 35

Golfweek rank: 27

McCabe’s take: Third time a captain’s pick? Says it all about his personality, doesn’t it? How about all-Georgia Tech (with Matt Kuchar) four-ball team?

Rickie Fowler

Rickie Fowler

Age: 21

Residence: Las Vegas

Ryder record: Rookie

2010 wins: 0

World rank: 32

Golfweek rank: 73

McCabe’s take: Winless on Tour and only 21, but so what? Each player is a rookie once, so why not while surrounded by veterans who have accepted him?

Jim Furyk

Jim Furyk

Age: 40

Residence: Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.

Ryder record: 8-13-3

2010 wins: 2

World rank: 6

Golfweek rank: 6

McCabe’s take: If there were such a thing as applying a “C” on the Ryder Cup jersey, here’s who’d wear it for the Americans.

Dustin Johnson

Dustin Johnson

Age: 26

Residence: Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Ryder record: Rookie

2010 wins: 2

World rank: 12

Golfweek rank: 11

McCabe’s take: No question, there’s a long, long story with major talent sitting here. But we’re still wondering how resilient he is.

Zach Johnson

Zach Johnson

Age: 34

Residence: St. Simons Island, Ga.

Ryder record: 1-2-1

2010 wins: 1

World rank: 18

Golfweek rank: 24

McCabe’s take: What about straight hitting and great putting is not to like? What’s more, he has a personality seemingly made to order for team events.

Matt Kuchar

Matt Kuchar

Age: 32

Residence: Atlanta

Ryder record: Rookie

2010 wins: 1

World rank: 10

Golfweek rank: 3

McCabe’s take: Never has anyone been so persistent in his pursuit of top billing (10 top 10s) while being so consistent in his ability to stay overlooked.

Hunter Mahan

Hunter Mahan

Age: 28

Residence: Colleyville, Texas

Ryder record: 2-0-3

2010 wins: 2

World rank: 15

Golfweek rank: 42

McCabe’s take: Three times a captain’s pick in these team contests, his talent finally shines through and carries him in with an automatic selection.

Phil Mickelson

Phil Mickelson

Age: 40

Residence: Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.

Ryder record: 10-14-6

2010 wins: 1

World rank: 2

Golfweek rank: 4

McCabe’s take: Hard to believe, but he’s in for a 16th go-round in these pro team competitions. Even harder to believe, he enjoys them more than ever.

Jeff Overton

Jeff Overton

Age: 27

Residence: Bloomington, Ind.

Ryder record: Rookie

2010 wins: 0

World rank: 49

Golfweek rank: 91

McCabe’s take: Still winless on the PGA Tour, but he’s not without a fierce competitive streak that shined through in 2005 at Palmer Cup and Walker Cup.