Harmon: happy with picks

I think the young kids are energetic, they're really into it and I don't think they care about the fact that they are not getting any money as we have seen the veterans complain about in the past.

Butch Harmon
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Butch Harmon will be part of the Sky Sports commentary team at the 2008 Ryder Cup
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Butch Harmon insists Paul Azinger has got his Ryder Cup picks spot on.

The legendary coach, who will be part of Sky Sports' commentary team at Valhalla, had no complaints as the US captain completed his line-up this week.

Steve Stricker, JB Holmes, Hunter Mahan and Chad Campbell were the quartet that got the nod and although the latter in particular raised one or two eyebrows, Harmon is more than happy with Azinger's choices.

"I think there were a couple of surprises in there," he told Golf Night. "I think the last one, Chad Campbell, took a lot of people by surprise but I thought it was a good pick.

"I think the first two were pretty much slam dunks. I think Steve Stricker and Hunter Mahan always seemed like they were going to be on the team and he has really been enamoured with JB Holmes all year.

"He's a long hitter and the only one of his picks to win a tournament this year - and he's from the state of Kentucky and he (Azinger) thought that would be good.

"There was up-in-the-air for the fourth: Rocco Mediate was in there, Woody Austin's name was in there but I think Chad Campbell was a good pick."

Many people felt that Mediate, runner-up at the US Open, should have got the nod after pushing Tiger Woods so close at Torrey Pines and not missing a cut in 12 tournaments.

Energetic

But Harmon believes people were focusing on his personality rather than his playing capabilities.

And although Azinger's selection means no less than half the US team are Ryder Cup rookies, he also believes that could be a blessing in disguise.

"I actually think that's a good thing, because the veterans who have played on Ryder Cup teams for the past 10 or 12 years' losing efforts are quite used to getting their brains beat out!" he said.

"I think the young kids are energetic, they're really into it and I don't think they care about the fact that they are not getting any money as we have seen the veterans complain about in the past.

"I think you'll see some young people really looking forward to it and frankly it's going to be a pleasant surprise to see these young kids play."

Like most, Harmon felt that Stricker, who finished 10th on the US money list and with Woods' absence, was officially the next in line, was a certainty.

But he believes the man from Wisconsin will be just as vital off the course to a team that has been accused of lacking togetherness in the past.

"Steve Stricker is one of the nicest guys on the tour," he said.

"He's one of the most well-liked on the US Tour and he's played very, very well over the last couple of years. He's a very steady player and I think he's going to bring a lot, not only on the playing side but in the team room.

"He's a good guy that everybody gets along with. I think on and off the course, he's a wonderful pick."

Wonders

JB Holmes' selection means Azinger has two Kentuckians on board, something that is sure to fire up the home crowd as the Americans attempt to win the trophy for the first time since 1999.

But Harmon warned that he will need more than local backing to prove his captain right.

"I think it's going to do wonders for the home crowd. You have Kenny Perry from Kentucky and now JB Holmes," he said.

"I think that was a ploy for Azinger to get the crowd into it but, having said that, he doesn't play well it really doesn't matter. We'll have to wait and see how it pans out."

Mahan's remarks about Ryder Cup players being "slaves" didn't do his chances any harm at all as he was named in Azinger's four.

He does have a reputation for being his own man and Harmon believes his remarks were influenced by former Ryder Cup players who had obviously not enjoyed their weekends taking on the Europeans.

But, there is more to Mahan than just mouth.

"Immediately afterwards he knew he had made a mistake and called Azinger to apologise and he made a public apology," he said.

"I don't think that's a problem and he's played very well. He's a guy that I'd want on the team for sure."

Stalwart

But while he applauded Azinger's picks, Harmon was less complimentary when it came down to Nick Faldo's two wildcard selections for the Europeans.

He has no problem with Paul Casey and Ian Poulter being selected, but did feel that Faldo has made a blunder in leaving out Darren Clarke.

Not only, he says, is the Irishman a formidable opponent in this format, he is a popular figure in both locker rooms and perhaps more importantly, is the man in form.

"Obviously Nick went with two Englishmen and he thinks he's right," said Harmon.

"Me myself, I think he was wrong. I just don't see how you can have a Ryder Cup team without Darren Clarke. He has won two times on the European Tour this year, he's a Ryder Cup stalwart, he's been a fabulous partner to whoever he's played with and a wonderful guy in the team room.

"Having said that, there's nothing wrong with Poulter and Casey as picks, they're both deserving. I just think Darren Clarke should be on that team."