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Love's picks: Johnson, Furyk, Snedeker, Stricker

Print | Comments () Posted by Mike Whitmer, Globe Staff September 4, 2012 10:26 AM

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By Michael Whitmer, Globe Staff

US Ryder Cup captain Davis Love finalized his team this morning, selecting Dustin Johnson, Jim Furyk, Brandt Snedeker, and Steve Stricker with his four captain's picks.

The announcement was made in New York at NASDAQ headquarters. The newest four join Keegan Bradley, Jason Dufner, Zach Johnson, Matt Kuchar, Phil Mickelson, Webb Simpson, Bubba Watson, and Tiger Woods. Those eight automatically qualified via a two-year points system.

Love's four picks aren't a surprise. It was widely assumed that Stricker and Johnson were solid locks, with Snedeker's recent play likely giving him the nod. Furyk, while not owning a stellar Ryder Cup record, has been on seven teams, and also seven Presidents Cup teams, where he went 5-0 last year in Australia.

Among those who were not picked: Hunter Mahan, a two-time winner on the PGA Tour this season who beat Rory McIlroy in the final of the Match Play Championship; Rickie Fowler, who played well two years ago as a Ryder Cup rookie; and Nick Watney, recent winner of the Barclays.

Love's four picks have combined for 10 previous Ryder Cups: seven for Furyk, two for Stricker, one for Johnson. Snedeker will be a Ryder Cup rookie, giving the US four first-timers, joining Bradley, Dufner, and Simpson.

The matches will be held Sept. 28-30 at Medinah Country Club outside Chicago.