Sutton rates USA best putting team ever

American Ryder Cup captain Hal Sutton believes his 12-man team has the strongest combination of putters ever put out by the United States.

With the sharply sloping greens at Oakland Hills placing a high premium on putting, Sutton has not even considered the prospect of losing to holders Europe this week.

"I think we have got a tremendous team. I think we have got the greatest putting team that the United States has ever assembled," Sutton, 46, told a news conference on Wednesday.

"Every tournament that's ever been won is won on the greens. That's probably the major reason why I think we're going to win this week. Losing hasn't even crossed my mind.

"All 12 of them are great putters. If you're talking about the greatest of the great, Stewart Cink, Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson come to mind immediately.

"Jay Haas stands up there right at the top. Chris DiMarco, David Toms can run tables at any moment. Davis Love has made his share over a lifetime career. Do I need to keep going?"

Sutton added that, although he already knew his pairings for Friday's opening fourball matches, he would not be telling his players until Thursday morning.

"I can't do anything more than I've done," he said. "I've told them: 'Worry about your own game and don't worry about the other guy.'

"I'm going to tell them sometime tomorrow morning. I know who the teams are and it's going to stay that way (until then)."

Sutton conceded the one negative about telling his players late in the day who they would be partnering applied to the foursomes matches, where each two-man team plays one ball.

Players have their own preference over ball make and compression, and Sutton will place the onus on the players to make a final decision.

"I made an announcement last night that I was not going to complicate the equation by adding the ball to it," he said.

"With four or five manufacturers making different balls out there, it's a convoluted mess.

"I said I'm going to pair up everybody that I think personality and game-wise match up," he added.

"You work it out on the ball. They're a little apprehensive about that because I'm giving them the last minute here to think about it.

"I still think this is the best way to do it, and we'll find out Sunday."