Davis Love III named his captain's picks to complete the U.S. line-up for the 2012 Ryder Cup, and he will have a helping hand from a certain American sporting legend.
Michael Jordan will be a big part of the U.S. Ryder Cup team, which will look to win back the title from Europe in their home turf at Medinah Country Club, Illinois.
Davis Love III picked three veterans and one rookie - Dustin Johnson, Jim Furyk, Steve Stricker and Brandt Snedeker -- as his four captain's picks Tuesday
"I laid it out early on what I thought we needed, and we stuck with it," Love told reporters. "I need Jim Furyk. I need Steve Stricker. All of the guys on the team will benefit from those guys being in the team room, being in the locker room. And then you can't argue with the golf that Brandt and Dustin have been playing."
Telling players that have missed the boat by the smallest of margins is never easy, and Love said it was a tough decision, but one he had to make. "It was tough to leave anybody off," Love said. "This is probably the deepest, strongest year of earning points that I have seen.
"There were a lot of guys that played a lot of really good golf, and you can analyze the number up and down and back and forth. ... There's four great players that we picked that are all playing very well and bring a lot to the team. And it was definitely a tough call for me.
"I've been on the receiving end a couple times of 'I didn't pick you, I'm sorry' phone calls. And they are tough. It's probably the least thankful part of the job, but it's part of the job."
Love has called in basketball great Michael Jordan, a keen golfer himself, to help him out with the team and motivate the players whenever necessary. "I've talked to him," Love said. Michael's going to be hanging around with Fred (Couples) probably a lot and be an influence.
"I told Michael this a couple weeks ago. One of the neatest things I ever saw in the Ryder Cup was Michael riding in the golf cart with Tom Kite. He came out to watch Freddie and I play and I thought that was one of the coolest things.
"So I want my team, like Fred and I did, to get to see Michael. Rather than him sneaking around in the gallery, I want him to be seen and I want him to be in our team room, be hanging around and be a great influence."
Team U.S.A: Tiger Woods, Jason Dufner, Bubba Watson, Webb Simpson, Keegan Bradley, Zach Johnson, Matt Kuchar, Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Jim Furyk, Steve Stricker, Brandt Snedeker.
Team Europe: Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Paul Lawrie, Graeme McDowell, Francesco Molinari, Luke Donald, Lee Westwood, Sergio Garcia, Peter Hanson, Martin Kaymer, Ian Poulter, Nicolas Colsaerts.
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