Oliver Wilson finished 10th in the European Tour’s Johnnie Walker Classic this weekend clinching an automatic place on Europe’s Ryder Cup team. Joining him are captain Nick Faldo’s two picks–Ian Poulter and Paul Casey. Notably missing this year is Colin Montgomerie, a Ryder Cup veteran who’s having a challenging season.

Rounding out Team Europe are Padraig Harrington, Sergio Garcia, Lee Westwood, Henrik Stenson, Robert Karlsson, Miguel Angel Jimenez,
Graeme McDowell, Justin Rose, and Soren Hansen.

Team USA captain, Paul Azinger will make his two picks on Monday to finalize his team.

Post from: Green Posse

The Ryder Cup, founded in 1927, matches the 12 best American male golfers with the 12 best from Europe. The competition, held alternately in the United States and Europe, features a combination of alternate shot, fourball, and single stroke matches.

The US team is made up of the top 8 players (using the criteria below) and four team captain’s picks. The top players are determined using the following formula:

• Prize money earned in 2007 major tournaments (US Open, Open Championship, PGA Championship, and Masters) at a rate of $1000 equals one point
• Prize money earned in 2008 from January 1 through August 11 in official events at a rate of $1000 equals one point
• Prize money earned in 2008 at major tournaments (see above) at a rate of $1000 equals two points.

The 2008 Ryder Cup Matches will be held in the United States at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, KY. Paul Azinger is the team captain for the Americans. Nick Faldo is the team captain for the European team.

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Post from: Green Posse

All around the b5media Sports Channel today, bloggers are talking about the worst moments in sports. There are certainly a lot of “worst” moments in golf, but one in particular stands out to me–Greg Norman’s loss to Nick Faldo at the 1996 Masters Tournament.

For those unfamiliar with this debacle, Norman was leading the tournament by six strokes starting the final round. In fact, he’d carded a course record 63 on the first round.

However Sunday was not to be his day. Before the round was over, Norman scored five bogeys, two double bogeys, and hit his tee shot into the water at the 12th hole. When the dust cleared, he shot a 78, ending the day five strokes behind Faldo. Norman never contended for a major title again.

Do you have a favorite “worst” moment in golf? Leave a comment below and share it with us.

^{(photo © Newscom)}

Post from: Green Posse