Task Force Blues: Are We Waiting Too Long To Make Ryder Picks?

Doug Ferguson raises some fine points in asking if the United States team is taking this all-out effort to win the Ryder Cup too far by waiting to name three people after this week, and another after The Tour Championship.

Given Phil Mickelson's comments about "obvious" picks, Ferguson makes several strong points, including this one:

Europe filled out its team with three captain's picks last Tuesday, two days after qualifying ended. Too soon?

It might look that way with Alex Noren winning in Switzerland and moving up to No. 27 in the world. At least it has a team of 12 for a month leading to the opening shot on Sept. 30.

The Americans won't have a full team until they arrive at Hazeltine.

They were giddy about their trip to Gillette Stadium last week, even though only two-thirds of the team was there. It led to one awkward moment when someone asked Kuchar how he liked the home of the New England Patriots and the speech from 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey captain Mike Eruzione. Kuchar wasn't there. Neither was Fowler. Or the other ''obvious'' pick.

For all of the team bonding nonsense we'll have to hear about ("a real team room guy"), this build-up that leaves team players off the team until the last minute seems contradictory.

Furthermore, in watching the banter on social media and Golf Channel, I've started to grow uneasy listening to how players are disparaged as folks are making cases against them. (Jeff Babineau posted this more level-headed-but-still-opinionated take on the possible candidates at Golfweek.com.)

The hate for Jim Furyk has been particularly strong and strange, especially given how much time he missed and his strong play at the U.S. Open. Oh, and a 58. Yes, his record is not great in the Ryder Cup, but the United States, for a change, seems to have very solid options for its final four spots, especially if you remember way back to August when Reed, Kuchar, Watson and Fowler all showed enough signs in the Rio Olympic Games.

Speaking of Fowler and Watson, two players cited as not up to the task. Both are top ten players in the Official World Golf Ranking. That will set one interesting precedent should they be left off the team.

Finally, there's J.B. Holmes, who has his caddy lining him up over three footers this week at Crooked Stick (and it's not pretty). Should that negate his strong year in the major championships or impressive showing in all cup matches he has played?

I guess we'll know soon enough, but hopefully the debate remembers that golf is a fickle game and what you've done in the last two weeks does not always guarantee Ryder Cup success.