The four players, three of whom are making their Ryder Cup debuts, join eight players who had earned automatic berths Aug. 10, following the 90th PGA Championship.
Azinger made his selections at The Radisson Martinique on Broadway in New York City, where The PGA of America was founded in 1916. He will guide the U.S. against Europe, Sept. 19-21, in the 37th Ryder Cup at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky.
The U. S. Team features six players who make their first Ryder Cup appearance as the U.S. team finds itself in the underdog role and trying to reclaim possession of the Ryder Cup for the first time since 1999. Europe will start four Ryder Cup rookies.
Regarding his four picks, Azinger said that Stricker is "a fantastic player" who would have made the team on points had the process continued after the PGA Championship. He described Hunter Mahan as "a young lion, a terrific ball-striker . . he has a lot of heart and he's going to add a lot to the team."
Azinger described Holmes, a Kentucky native, as "a bomber. . .I think he fits match play, and he knows Valhalla like the back of his hand." Campbell was described as "a terrific ball-striker." He presently ranks third in the All-Around category.
According to Azinger, each of the Captain's Picks was supported by his assistants and a lot of players already on the team. "I'm really excited about having these guys," he said.
Stricker, 41, finished ninth in the final Ryder Cup point standings and has five top-10 finishes in 20 events this season. Mahan, 12th in the Ryder Cup point standings, has four top-10 finishes; while Holmes, who was 17th in the point standings, captured the FBR Open last February and has three top-10 finishes this season. He ranks 3rd in driving distance. Campbell, 34, was a member of the 2004 and '06 Ryder Cup Teams, and finished 20th in the final U.S. Ryder Cup Team point standings.
Here is the U.S. Ryder Cup Team roster:
1. Phil Mickelson
2. Stewart Cink
3. Kenny Perry
4. Jim Furyk
5. Anthony Kim (Debut)
6. Justin Leonard
7. Ben Curtis (Debut)
8. Boo Weekley (Debut)
9. Steve Stricker (Debut)
10. Hunter Mahan (Debut)
11. J.B. Holmes (Debut)
12. Chad Campbell
Here is Captain Nick Faldo's Team Europe Ryder Cup Roster:
1. Paul Casey
2. Sergio Garcia
3. Soren Hansen
4. Padraig Harrington
5. Miguel Angel Jimenez
6. Robert Karlsson
7. Graeme McDowell
8. Ian Poulter
9. Justin Rose
10. Henrik Stenson
11. Lee Westwood
12. Oliver Wilson
Sources: GolfBusinessWire.com; PGATOUR.com; RyderCup.com.
