HILVERSUM, Netherlands: Hunter Mahan’s absence from the United States Ryder Cup team surprised European captain Jose Maria Olazabal.
Olazabal, in Hilversum getting ready for this week’s Dutch Open, was sure Steve Stricker and Jim Furyk would receive wild cards. US captain Davis Love III gave the other two to Dustin Johnson and Brandt Snedeker, leaving out Mahan, a winner twice this year on the US PGA Tour and part of the last five Ryder Cup teams.
“They are very solid picks,” Olazabal said yesterday. “All the American players from nine to 14 on the list were all very solid and Davis could have picked any four.
“The only question mark as I see it was Snedeker picked ahead of Mahan but then Davis has gone for form.
“Snedeker has pretty much been playing well from the start of the summer and all the way to the FedEx Series. However, Mahan has not been playing all that well, so (Love) went for form and in that regard he has my respect.”
Olazabal, who named his team last week, will compete with two of his players at Hilversum Golf Club, Martin Kaymer and Belgian rookie Nicolas Colsaerts. Dutch organizers grouped the three for the opening two rounds.
“I had nothing to do with Nicolas and Martin playing alongside me for the first two rounds,” said Olazabal, who won the Dutch Open in 1989. “So I am really happy with that but then I will not be watching them all the time, as I will be focusing on my game.
“I won this event a long time ago, and very early in my career, and it would be nice to add my name to the trophy again.”
Also competing this week were three of Olazabal’s four vice-captains in Paul McGinley, Darren Clarke and Miguel Angel Jimenez.
Masters champ Watson
to play in Thailand
Meantime, Masters champion Bubba Watson will join last year’s winner Lee Westwood in a quality field at the $1 million Thailand Golf Championship in December, the Asian Tour said yesterday.
American Hunter Mahan, Northern Ireland’s Darren Clarke, South Africans Charl Schwartzel and Louis Oosthuizen will also head to the Amata Spring Country Club, 80 kilometers east of Bangkok, for the second edition of the tournament Dec. 6-9.
Englishman Westwood shot a stunning 12-under 60 in the opening round before going on to win the inaugural edition last year by seven shots. The world No. 4 will face tough competition in this year’s tournament with the Americans Watson and Mahan making their debuts in Thailand and the local challenge led by three-times Asian Tour order of merit winner Thongchai Jaidee.
“I had an incredible time last year. The fans were great and backed me all week,” Westwood was quoted as saying in a statement. “I love Amata Spring as its layout suits my style of play and the greens are fast and firm.
“I’m excited to be returning. Anyone can win the tournament but I’ll do my best to defend the title.”
Left-hander Watson, who won his first Major in April at Augusta National after an emotional playoff victory against Oosthuizen, was looking forward to the experience.
“My friends have told me lots of nice things about the country, the beautiful beaches and the great food and of course the friendly people,” Watson said.
“I’m really excited about playing in the Thailand Golf Championship in front of all the fans there and I also hope to experience the Thai culture.”
Olazabal surprised Mahan not in US Ryder Cup team
