ShareThisAnthony Kim and Hunter Mahan were major golf revelations on the international stage at last year's Ryder Cup. Kim and Mahan offered such fresh energy and clutch shots that U.S. captain Paul Azinger sent them out first and second, respectively, in singles play on the final day.
Kim thrashed Sergio Garcia, and Mahan made a memorable, 40-foot birdie putt on No. 17 and eventually halved his match against Paul Casey. That propelled the Americans toward their first Ryder Cup victory since 1999.
Now, less than a year later, Kim and Mahan aren't even sure they will make the trip to San Francisco for the Presidents Cup in October. Maybe that's a measure of depth on the U.S. side. Or maybe Kim and Mahan have played unevenly this year and need to find another gear. Soon.
Less than three weeks remain until the 10 automatic spots on the U.S. and International teams are finalized Aug. 16. Kim stands No. 9 on the U.S. points list, vaulting inside the top 10 after his tie for third at the Canadian Open. Mahan is No. 13 and must make up ground at the Bridgestone Invitational or PGA Championship. Neither Kim nor Mahan is playing this week.
Right now, the U.S. roster would include a mix of elite players (Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson), steady experienced players (Kenny Perry, Steve Stricker, Jim Furyk, Stewart Cink and Justin Leonard) and rising young guys (Zach Johnson, Sean O'Hair and Kim). Brian Gay, whose short-but-straight game fits the Harding Park layour, and U.S. Open champion Lucas Glover occupy the Nos. 11 and 12 spots.
Another player to keep in mind: Nick Watney, who stands No. 14 on the points list. Watney, who was born in Sacramento and attended Fresno State, has cooled off after a hot start in 2009. But he clearly brings abundant motivation to reach Harding.
"Playing for your country is an incredible thing, and I think something everybody wants to do," Watney said this week outside Detroit, where he's playing in the Buick Open. "Playing for (captain) Fred Couples -- he was my idol growing up -- would be a great experience. And it's in San Francisco, which is an hour from where my parents live. So I'm really, really trying to make that."
The U.S. historically dominates the Presidents Cup, with a 5-1-1 edge, but this year's International team looks formidable on paper. Geoff Ogilvy tops the points list, followed by Vijay Singh, Camilo Villegas, Retief Goosen and Ernie Els. Masters champion Angel Cabrera also is on course to make the team.
(E-mail Ron Kroichick at rkroichick(at)sfchronicle.com.)
(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, www.scrippsnews.com.)
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