If they gave Ryder Cup points for hot streaks, Jeff Sluman would be a strong
contender for captain Curtis Strange's U.S. team.
In his last three starts, Sluman has won a playoff for the B.C. Open, finished
fourth at the John Deere Classic and tied for 10th at the Greater Milwaukee Open.
This collection of top-10 finishes has moved him to 18th on the Ryder Cup
points list.
Two events are left before the 12-man team is finalised with the addition
of the two captain's choices.
All the contenders still searching for crucial points are at the Buick Open
this week, played at Warwick Hills Golf and Country Club 60 miles north of Detroit.
Of the golfers with a realistic chance -- those currently ranked eighth through
27th on the table -- all but three are in action at the Buick, where 150 points
await the winner.
The final tournament before Strange's selection is next week's PGA
Championship in Atlanta, where points are doubled owing to its major status.
All six of the golfers between David Toms in 13th place and Sluman would be
Ryder Cup rookies. Like Sluman, they believe their best chance is to play their
way onto the team.
"I'm not trying to blow my chances here by saying this and I'm
not saying Curtis won't pick me, but since I've never been on the team
they usually like you to play your way on the first time," Sluman said.
"But as far as what it would mean to me, it would be unbelievable to represent
my country in the Ryder Cup.
"I think that besides winning a major that's probably the most important
thing to get on your resume."
Sluman, the 1988 PGA Champion, has another motive. A major victory is a must
to stand any chance of captaining the United States somewhere down the road.
"It certainly would be a huge bonus for me to get on the Ryder Cup team
and then, if that happens, maybe in the future they'd consider me to be a
captain, which would also be a great honour," he said.
"It's important to go out and get prepared this week and next, play
well and see where the cards fall.
"It would sure be a lot easier to play your way on and not have to worry
about trying to get picked."
Sluman is having the kind of year which warrants serious consideration as
a captain's pick. He's got seven top-10 finishes and 12 in the top 25,
leaving him 15th on the money list with $1,599,112 in earnings.
He's also having a banner year statistically and, most importantly, is
leading the putting averages. There is no more important element in the pressure
cooker of the Ryder Cup than putting excellence.
Sluman is also fifth in the birdie averages (4.32), eighth in scoring average
and ninth in the all-around ranking.
"I've had a pretty good year all along," he said. "Golf is
a very funny game. My buddy calls it an infinite game because every shot, no matter
what you are doing, is different.
"Sometimes your good play isn't reflected with good finishes and other
times it is.
"Right now I'm not only playing well tee-to-green but I'm scoring
well. I'm putting very good and just doing all the right things you need to
do to stay near the top or win a golf tournament."
Furthermore, Sluman's victory at the B.C. Open over Paul Gow finally ended
his 0-6 playoff record.
"My playoff record before that spoke for itself," Sluman said. "I
didn't want to be known as 007 out here. I got that monkey off my back."
