Lehman picks Cink, Verplank

CHICAGO — Tom Lehman spent so much time agonizing over his captain’s picks for the Ryder Cup that he didn’t make up his mind until Monday morning.

That meant restless nights for Stewart Cink and Scott Verplank, who finally got the call from the U.S. captain that they would play against Europe next month at the K Club in Ireland.

“I basically slept with my cell phone under my pillow,” Verplank said.

The top 10 qualifiers automatically made the team, and the selection of Cink was hardly a surprise. With two Ryder Cups under his belt and sitting 12th on the points list, he was a natural choice.

“He’s a tough competitor,” Lehman said. “He fits in well with the team.”

The selection of Verplank wasn’t as simple. He has suffered through shoulder problems most of the year, going 11 tournaments without a top-10 finish. However, Lehman was impressed with Verplank’s tie for fourth this month at the Buick Open.

Lehman’s team features four rookies in Vaughn Taylor, J.J. Henry, Zach Johnson and Brett Wetterich. With that much inexperience, Lehman will count on his veterans.

But two of them, Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, might not be part of a team scouting trip to Ireland after the World Golf Championships event this weekend in Akron, Ohio. Both players have prior commitments.

Lehman bristled at the notion his two biggest stars weren’t committed to the team.

“If I ever hear somebody question Tiger Woods’ desire to be part of this team again, I’m going to go crazy,” Lehman said. “Tiger Woods cannot wait to play in this Ryder Cup.”

As for Mickelson, Lehman said, “I could say the same exact thing for him.”