Norman chooses Scott for Presidents Cup

The Presidents Cup captains have made their two extra picks for the teams competing in San Francisco in early October. International Team captain Greg Norman has made a controversial and possibly disastrous choice.

Norman had possibly the most difficult decision to make of the two captains and opted for Japanese teen sensation Ryo Ishikawa and out of form, out of luck (and out with Ana Ivanovic), Adam Scott.

His selection of Adam Scott is puzzling. Apart from some good rounds at the Scottish Open he’s really struggled to shoot better scores than Michael Campbell this year and one would have thought Rory Sabbatini, Michael Sim, KJ Choi or even Jason Day would have been better options.

Ryo Ishikawa’s selection was a good one as he has been in fine form with another win on the Japanese Tour recently and will no doubt increase interest coming from the massive Japanese golfing market.

It appears Norman is looking for youth to carry the team through with these picks. Perhaps in a similar way to the way the young guns fired for USA at the most recent Ryder Cup.

For USA Team captain Fred Couples, his decision was made slightly easier going with with Lucas Glover and Hunter Mahan. Lucas Glover’s US Open win made his spot a formality and Hunter Mahan has had six top ten finishes. Perhaps Scott Verplank can consider himself a little unlucky not to be picked as his season has also been strong.

Here are the full teams:

USA International
Tiger Woods Geoff Ogilvy (AUS)
Phil Mickelson Vijay Singh (FIJI)
Steve Stricker Camilo Villegas (COL)
Kenny Perry Retief Goosen (SA)
Zach Johnson Ernie Els (SA)
Stewart Cink Angel Cabrera (ARG)
Sean O’Hair Mike Weir (CAN)
Jim Furyk Robert Allenby (AUS)
Anthony Kim Y.E. Yang (SK)
Justin Leonard Tim Clark (SA)
Lucas Glover Ryo Ishikawa (Japan)
Hunter Mahan Adam Scott (AUS)

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2 thoughts on “Norman chooses Scott for Presidents Cup

  • Yeah this was puzzling indeed. But I’m going to go out on a limb and take the unpopular position that it will prove to be a decent pick. Why? Because I think Norman is thinking the selection and the big world stage and prestige etc. of the PC will be what finally gives Scott the kick in the ass he needs to re-focus his game and play to his potential. At least thats what I think was going through Norman’s head. I don’t know, it could end up being an ingeneous pick. And with the Int. already underdogs, he maybe has less to lose.

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  • Couldn’t agree more. I think it’s a number of things including the fact he’s good buddies with him BUT it could revive his career and re-focus.

    I just wonder about guys like Michael Sim and Rory Sabbatini though. Must be feeling a little miffed. Still, they should have just made the Top 10 players I suppose.

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