Final names for Ryder Cup coming today

NORTON, Mass. – Scott Verplank was a footnote in 2002 when he became the first American to be a captain’s pick without any previous experience in the Ryder Cup.

There might be four Ryder Cup rookies who get picked this year.

U.S. captain Paul Azinger announces his four wild-card selections this morning in New York, having asked for an additional three weeks to find the hottest players but getting a tepid response from his candidates.

The final audition was the Deutsche Bank Championship, where the only American to finish in the top five was Tim Herron, who recorded his first top 10 of the entire season.

The Ryder Cup will be played Sept. 19-21 at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville.

All indications are that Steve Stricker would be one of the picks. Stricker, No. 10 in the world ranking, was bumped out of making the team on his own when Ben Curtis tied for second at the PGA Championship and finished among the top eight qualifiers.

“I’m glad the playing part is over,” said Stricker, 41, who has never played in a Ryder Cup. “I haven’t been able to enjoy these playoffs. Hopefully, I get that call. I feel like I’ve played well enough.”

Another pick likely will go to J.B. Holmes, who grew up in Kentucky, has played Valhalla more than any other player and has enormous power off the tee. Holmes was the 54-hole leader at the PGA Championship until a wretched start sent him to an 81. He missed the cut at the Deutsche Bank.

“If he picks J.B., I’d love to play with J.B.,” said Kenny Perry, a feature player because of his Kentucky roots. “He’s a rookie, young kid, he bombs it. Two Kentuckians out there, we’d be rock stars. We’d feel like Tiger Woods.”

The other two? It might be just as easy to draw names from a hat.

Among the players under consideration, only one has Ryder Cup experience. That would be Verplank, who has made both teams as a captain’s pick, has a 4-1 record but finished 33rd in the final point standings set up by Azinger.

The top eight are Jim Furyk, Curtis, Perry, Phil Mickelson, Stewart Cink, Anthony Kim, Justin Leonard and Boo Weekley.