Out with the old...And in with the new Ryder Cup team

Hi Guys,

I was looking at a news story and thought it might be interesting for you. It's about the upcoming Ryder Cup in Ireland.

Tom Lehman who is skippering the US Team this time around will be in Ireland in the near future to take part in a tournament at the K Club as well as to check on the set up for the Ryder Cup.

Lehman has come out in defence of critics who say that a number of the potential players who could get into his side as rookies are too pampered playing on the US Tour and are asking if they really have the guts and hunger.

I don't know about you American guys but as a Brit I think it will be good for the US Team to have a real shake up. It's about time people did not take their places for granted.

Ryder Cup captain Tom Lehman has said he will not be worried if he has to go into battle against the Europeans with an inexperienced side in September.

The top 10 Americans are confirmed after the US PGA championship next month. after this Lehman has to pick two wild cards to complete the team.

J.J Henry, Zach Johnson, Brett Wetterich and Vaughn Taylor could all be Ryder Cup rookies that have a chance of making the team.

Just for some fun I would love you guys to post what you think the side will be by adding a post to this thread.

This means that some of the stalwarts of previous US teams like Davis Love III, Chris Di Marco and Stuart Cink are left hoping they get in via the captain's pick.

Lehman insists he has a great deal of confidence in the younger players on the PGA Tour because of their hunger for success.

"I'm not at all afraid of taking a group of inexperienced guys to play," he said.

"I've played with all of these young guys and I have great confidence in their ability.

"More than anything else, these guys are really hungry and want to be put in the spotlight and pressure of a Ryder Cup."

Lehman will be looking to steer the Americans to glory and restore some pride after they were battered and bruised from a heavy defeat last time out on home soil.

Despite having a number of star names in their ranks, the US team failed to fire at Oakland Hills in 2004.

Lehman understands winning in Ireland this year will not be easy but feels that it is now the Europeans who will be strong favouriotes and will be expected to win on home soil.

Lehman said:

"The one thing I read in the press and media is that the US players are spoilt and pampered, they travel in their private jets and they don't have heart and aren't tough.

"To me that's so far from the truth. The one thing that has held the Americans back over the years is that they don't actually enjoy the competition.

"You have to have fun on the golf course in the midst of the battle. We tend to put too much pressure on ourselves."

Can the Americans win this time around? Watch this space

All the best

Richard