Golf

Ryder wannabes show Lehman little

By BOB HARIG
Published August 21, 2006

MEDINAH, Ill. - Four players made their way onto the U.S. Ryder Cup team Sunday for the first time, three doing absolutely nothing while the fourth didn't do much more.

Vaughan Taylor, Zach Johnson and Brett Wet-terich secured spots despite missing the cut at the PGA Championship, and J.J. Henry made it even though he tied for 41st at the last tournament in the qualifying process.

They kept their spots because nobody behind them was able to finish among the top 10 at the PGA, which was the only way to earn points.

Tim Herron and Davis Love entered the final round with the best chance of making a move, but Herron shot 73 to tie for 14th, and Love shot 76 to tie for 34th.

It wasn't exactly the kind of showing that U.S. captain Tom Lehman was looking for with his two at-large selections to be announced today.

Stewart Cink, who began the week in 12th place and finished in a tie for 24th, would appear to be a good bet for one of those picks.

"It would mean a lot," said Cink, who has three top-five finishes since the U.S. Open. "It would definitely be the satisfaction of a huge goal of mine to make the team this year because of the fact that I've played on four of the last five (international) teams, and I really don't want to miss any. I feel like I can help the team, and if I'm picked, I'll be honored and I'll try to represent the U.S. as best as I can."

Cink played on the team two years ago at Oakland Hills that suffered its worst defeat in Ryder Cup history.

But at least he has experience with the competition and format; Taylor, Henry, Johnson and Wetterich do not. They will join the team led by Tiger Woods next month at the K Club in Ireland.

Others whom Lehman could be considering are Jerry Kelly, Lucas Glover, Love, Fred Couples, Herron, Scott Verplank, Steve Stricker and even Corey Pavin, his assistant captain who won a few weeks ago at Milwaukee.

"I don't know what (Lehman) should do," said Love, who has played on every U.S. Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup team dating to 1993 but hasn't earned a point since February. "He doesn't really have anybody from 10 down that's playing that well. He's in a tough position. I really didn't show him that much, and I don't think anybody else did, either. That's the difficult thing for him."

U.S. RYDER CUP TEAM

1. Tiger Woods

2. Phil Mickelson

3. Jim Furyk

4. Chad Campbell

5. David Toms

6. Chris DiMarco

7. Vaughan Taylor

8. J.J. Henry

9. Zach Johnson

10. Brett Wetterich

Tom Lehman, the U.S. captain, makes two at-large selections today.

[Last modified August 21, 2006, 01:58:12]