Ryder Cup Captain Pavin chooses his assistants

By: Jeff Palopoli on 02/04/10 10:56 AM

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Yesterday Ryder Cup Captain, Cory Pavin, announced the selections for his assistant captains for the 2010 Ryder Cup. The Ryder Cup will be played October 1-3 in Wales. For the first time in a while, the U.S. team is the defending champion after beating Europe in 2008 at Valhalla.

A couple of Captain Pavin's selections have come across as a bit of a surprise, but I believe all 4 choices are solid ones and they will all help out in their own ways. His selections were, Tom Lehman, Davis Love III, Jeff Sluman, and Paul Goydos.

I personally love the Goydos selection and think it's a smart move. Goydos is known on tour for his dry wit and great sense of humor, and is very popular among Tour players. So I think he'll keep the guys light-hearted and on their toes. After the selection was announced Goydos stated, "I have as much Ryder Cup experience as Michael Jordan." and said it came down between him and Brett Favre. Thank you Corey for sparing us seeing Brett Favre in a Ryder Cup polo and Wrangler jeans.

The other surprising pick was Davis Love III, as he is only 45 and still has hopes to actually make the team as a player. "Corey asked me a couple of months ago to consider it, and I said, 'I'll consider trying to make the team,"' Love said. "The more we thought about it and talked about it, it's the best of both worlds. I get to try to make the team, and if I don't make the team, I still get to go." I can't realistically see this happening, but it's good to have goals right!?

Jeff Sluman who has never actually played on a Ryder Cup team, actually has a ton of experience serving as assistant to Jack Nicklaus in three straight President's Cups. As a fellow vertically challenged guy myself, I have to pull for Big Slu.

With the assistant captains all signed up, more excitingly next to come is seeing who makes the roster as well as Captain's picks, which can always creates some banter.

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