Rickie Fowler and Kyle Stanley were selected by the USGA to round out the USA Walker Cup team. Stanley was as deserving as the next guy, but Fowler was the big question. I’ll run down the three-for-one decision as I see it.
Michael Thompson: Too much lip. Should have shut his mouth when questioned about the team. Didn’t anyone teach this kid anything at Tulane and Alabama? Don’t demand a spot (a la Bill Gates at Augusta); the USGA is old-school, and likes a bit of humility. Did you hear anything from Fowler? Of course not.
Drew Weaver: Too much bogey. While he was great in Europe (which might have sealed his selection if it had happened in July-August as opposed to June-July), he was terrible in his first-round US Amateur loss. Ron Balicki of Golf Week brought forth the idea of pressure from the Royal And Ancient to select Weaver, but evidently, the pressure was not significant enough.
Rickie Fowler: Too much youth. With a bunch of old guys on the team (many seniors, juniors and a mid-am), the USGA hopes to groom Fowler for the 2007, 2009 and 2011 Walker Cup teams. Fowler will complete his fourth year of eligibility at Oklahoma State in 2011, and one hopes that if he plays again in 2009, he’ll stick around for a third international cap in ‘11.
There you have it, a lip, a slip, and some hip.
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The matches will be played on Royal County Down...One of the premium golf courses in the world that we hardly get to see....