17/09/2008 -

Expect Mickelson, Kim to play key roles for U.S. squad

Oliver Wilson. The little-known Englishman made the team despite never having won a tournament, a first in European Ryder Cup history. But he's also got game and had to be mighty consistent to make the team without a victory. Wilson was on the leaderboard at this year's U.S. Open and does have some karma on his side: He played his college golf at Augusta (Ga.) State.
Ben Curtis has been playing well lately and Graeme McDowell is better than most folks realize. But it's near impossible not to pick Anthony Kim, whose confidence and energy will filter through the Valhalla galleries.
J.B. Holmes is a Kentucky native very familiar with Valhalla. He's worth watching for more than just his 350-yard drives.
Anthony Kim. He not only will win points, he may emerge as a vocal and emotional team leader.





Step-up performer Phil Mickelson. The United States needs Lefty to take charge, and this is a perfect time and place to do it. He is too good of a player to have as poor of a Ryder Cup record as he has. Mickelson was 0-4-1 last time and is 3-9-2 in the past three American defeats. Even a decent performance from Mickelson would give the U.S. team a huge boost.
He's been knocking on the door all year long, but Robert Karlsson picked a good time to win his first title of the season on Sunday.
In his third Ryder Cup, Chad Campbell will show U.S. fans why captain Paul Azinger had enough faith to make the Texan a wild-card pick.
Graeme McDowell. Europe always has someone no one is expecting to get a big point. This could be the guy this year.






Difference-maker Anthony Kim. There is every reason to believe that Anthony Kim will be part of U.S. and Presidents Cup teams for the next 15 years. He has been relishing this opportunity, and has stepped up with two PGA Tour titles this season while emerging as one of the game's best young talents. The U.S. would love nothing more than for Kim to become its version of Sergio Garcia.
For as much as Sergio Garcia alternates between struggling and coming oh-so-close at major championships, El Niño dominates in the Ryder Cup, as he's set to obliterate the individual points record just a few years from now.
After going 0-4-1 in 2006 at the K Club, Phil Mickelson will win three of five matches and lead the U.S. to the upset.
Sergio Garcia. Capturing the Ryder Cup makes up for the majors he has yet to win. He'll grab 3.5 points.







Winner United States. All signs point otherwise, but that is the beauty of the Ryder Cup. Over the past 25 years, the event has typically been too close to call, despite what it says on paper. This time, the United States gets a much-needed victory.
United States. Ask me again in five minutes and I may change my mind, but for now, the law of averages takes precedent over Europe's recent domination in this competition.
United States. The Europeans aren't that much more talented than the Americans. It's about time the U.S. wins one.
Europe. Not as easy as the last two 18½-9½ but still a solid 15-13 triumph that is not as close as the final score indicates