The Texan is the best of a not-that-great bunch

Every returning member of the USA’s Ryder Cup team has lost more matches than they have won. So if Paul Azinger and co wish to avoid handing Europe their fourth straight success, someone is going to have to step up and lead by example. Our friends at Chickendinner believe that Stewart Cink is that man. Here are the main contenders:

Phil Mickelson (Ryder Cup Record: W9 L12 H4)
Mickelson is the tournament’s top ranked player but he doesn’t boast a very impressive Ryder Cup record. In 2006, he took just half a point from five matches and at home in 2004 just one from four. However some people believe he may emerge as USA’s leader in Woods’ absence. Not really worthy of his favourite status.

Jim Furyk (W6 L12 H2)
Alongside the injured Tiger Woods, Furyk was the only American player that won two matches outright in 2006, although both of those were when paired with the 14-time major winner. The Pennsylvanian was one of just eleven players who made the cut in all four majors this year but he only made the top 25 of the Open Championship.

Anthony Kim (first appearance)
In Tiger Woods’ absence who better to fill the void than the man touted as his successor, Anthony Kim? The favourite to be the top debutant was the joint-second best performing American behind Jim Furyk at the Open Championship and has won two PGA Tour Tournaments this year.

Stewart Cink (W3 L5 H4)
Easily the best value bet in this market. Only Tiger Woods’ bettered his total of two and a half points in 2006, which means out of the returning contingent he was the top American. He lost just one of his five matches outright and was one of only three Americans to win their singles match - beating Sergio Garcia, who had won his first four matches.

Justin Leonard (W0 L3 H5)
The Texan last appeared in the Ryder Cup nine years ago and despite going never winning outright, he was a vital part of the last American team to have triumphed. He only lost one of his four matches outright and claimed a half from Jose Maria Olazabal that proved the difference as USA came from behind to win.

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