Masters 2004 presented by Augusta.com - Ryder Cup race creates 2nd goal at tournament

Bernhard Langer, the captain of the European Ryder Cup team, follows his shot onto the second green. (Michael Holahan/Augusta Chronicle)

Ryder Cup race creates 2nd goal at tournament

Web posted
Sunday, April 11, 2004

By Chris Gay
The Augusta Chronicle

A green jacket and a $1 million paycheck would suit Jay Haas (Stats | Bio) fine. But he's trying to do something almost as improbable for a 50-year-old golfer - earn a spot on the U.S. Ryder Cup team.

"It's been in the back of my mind, but I'm trying to hit each shot as they come," he said. "I know what I have to do. The better I play, the better the chance I have."

Playing a tournament within a tournament, golfers will be jockeying for position today to obtain as many Ryder Cup points as possible. Any American who finishes in the top 10 will earn points. An American champion at the Masters Tournament will be awarded 300 points, which go a long way toward securing a berth in the Sept. 17-19 matches at Oakland Hills Country Club outside Detroit.

The European Tour uses a different system, using both the Ryder Cup World Points list and a European Points list to select its team.

As of Monday, Padraig Harrington (Stats | Bio) , Miguel Angel Jimenez, Darren Clarke (Stats | Bio) , Fredrik Jacobson (Stats | Bio) , Lee Westwood, Brian Davis (Stats | Bio) , Ian Poulter (Stats | Bio) , Raphael Jacquelin, Carlos Rodiles and Maarten Lafeber would automatically qualify for the team.

With only three Europeans on the top-10 list playing today, Paul Casey (Stats | Bio) is in position to make up the most ground. With a high finish, he could leap into the top five in world points.

"I played with Paul on several occasions, and I think he's one of those young guys that really have a bright future ahead of themselves," European team captain Bernhard Langer said. "It's just a matter of him doing it consistently and then proving himself in the majors."

Competition will be stiff on the U.S. side. Twelve of the top 20 U.S. players on the list will play today. Scott Verplank (Stats | Bio) (No. 11), Haas (No. 12) and Chris DiMarco (Stats | Bio) (No. 13) are all in position to make up ground. Perry, Campbell, Toms and Kaye missed the cut.

Langer and Hal Sutton, the captain of the U.S. team, will choose two additional players for their teams after the lists are finalized.

The European team won the 34th Ryder Cup matches in 2002 at The Belfry in Sutton Coldfield, England, after the matches were postponed from 2001 because of terrorist attacks in the United States.

RYDER CUP STANDINGS

United States

1. Tiger Woods (Stats | Bio) (Stats | Bio) 1,511.667

2. Phil Mickelson (Stats | Bio) (Stats | Bio) 985.250

3. Davis Love III (Stats | Bio) 936.250

4. Jim Furyk (Stats | Bio) 789.479

5. Kenny Perry (Stats | Bio) 699.107

6. Chad Campbell (Stats | Bio) 590.000

7. David Toms (Stats | Bio) 545.125

8. Jerry Kelly (Stats | Bio) 498.625

9. Chris Riley (Stats | Bio) 446.786

10. Jonathan Kaye (Stats | Bio) 446.750