RYDER CUP TEAMS COMPLETED

Corey Pavin picks Woods, Cink, Zach

Johnson and Fowler

NEWS RELEASE
Sir Terry Matthews, the owner of host venue The Celtic Manor Resort, has welcomed the inclusion of Tiger Woods in the United States team for The Ryder Cup.
Sir Terry attended the press conference in New York today when US Captain Corey Pavin finalised his team by adding four wild-card picks to the eight automatic qualifiers decided upon completion of the US PGA Championship at Whistling Straits.
Pavin selected:
Stewart Cink
Zach Johnson
Tiger Woods
Rickie Fowler

to join qualifiers

Phil Mickelson
Hunter Mahan
Bubba Watson
Jim Furyk
Steve Stricker
Dustin Johnson
Jeff Overton
Matt Kuchar

for the match against Europe from October 1-3.


Sir Terry said: “I congratulate every member of the United States team on winning their place in the team. It is a considerable achievement both for those who qualified automatically and for those who were awarded wildcard selections by Corey Pavin.
“Personally, I am delighted that Tiger Woods, the world’s No 1 golfer, has been selected to play. It was always our hope that the world’s very best golfers would come to Celtic Manor and there is no doubt that Tiger Woods has been the world’s standout player for the 10 years we have been planning for this Ryder Cup.”
The inclusion of Woods means 13 of the world’s current top 15 players will tee it up as members of either side at The Celtic Manor Resort. The American team also includes the present world No 2 Phil Mickelson and world No 4 Steve Stricker, both of whom could dislodge Woods at the top of the rankings in the two tournament weeks remaining before The Ryder Cup.
Colin Montgomerie finalised his European team last week when he added wildcard picks Padraig Harrington, Luke Donald and Edoardo Molinari to automatic qualifiers Lee Westwood, Rory McIlroy, Martin Kaymer, Graeme McDowell, Ian Poulter, Ross Fisher, Francesco Molinari, Miguel Angel Jiménez and Peter Hanson.
“I think both sides look very strong,” said Celtic Manor Director of Golf Courses Jim McKenzie. “There has been a lot of talk about Europe being strong favourites for this Ryder Cup but I think, now that both teams have been confirmed, it has the makings of a very close match-up.
“We can’t wait to welcome both teams to The Celtic Manor Resort in three weeks’ time. The golf course is in great shape and I think we can look forward to some fantastic golf.”