Azinger faces his own 'wild card' dilemma

DECISION TIME is beckoning for Paul Azinger. Except, in his case, the US Ryder Cup captain's hand appears to be getting weaker and weaker rather than stronger. It seems he may even have out-flanked himself.

Azinger, who will nominate his "wild card" selections at a press conference in New York today for the match against Europe at Valhalla, has four picks - up from two in previous matches - but has admitted his task hasn't been made any easier by the increase, which he sought. "Nobody is jumping off the page," he said.

In fact, not only did Azinger seek an increase in the number of picks when he was appointed captain, he also sought an extra three weeks before naming his choices so that he could pick "hot" players. Unfortunately for him, none of the players on the fringes of automatic selection which concluded after the US PGA have shown any form since then.

Azinger claims he has two players he is "rock solid on" but that the "list for the next two picks extends well down the points standings".

The general consensus is that Rocco Mediate, who lost out to Tiger Woods in a play-off for the US Open in June, and Steve Stricker, who was edged out of automatic selection at the US PGA when Ben Curtis's runner-up finish to Pádraig Harrington moved him up the list, are the two favourites for a pick.

Who the other two will be is anyone's guess, with Woody Austin, DJ Trahan, Hunter Mahan, Seán O'Hair, Brandt Snedeker, Zach Johnson, JB Holmes and Bubba Watson all mentioned as possible.

However, Kenny Perry has indicated that Azinger - who is considering tailoring the rough and course set-up by trimming the rough around 285-290 yards to give long-hitters on his side an advantage off the tee - might be tempted to opt for Holmes and Watson. "I'm into bombers. Length is such a huge advantage at that place. It's a bombers' paradise."

One thing's for sure: Azinger's choice is unlikely to have the same impact on the golfing world as those of his opposite number, Nick Faldo.