Frozen Out

Once again, the United States Ryder Cup team can't think outside the box. Today, captain Zach Johnson picked Rickie Fowler, Justin Thomas, Sam Burns, Brooks Koepka, Jordan Spieth, and Colin Morikawa to round out the U.S. team, and inexplicably left one of the best ball strikers in the world on the sideline in his Florida home. It seems Corey Conners wasn't part of the "old boys" club and will watch the Europeans trounce the Americans again on foreign soil. 

What if I told you that a player made it to the Tour Championship for the third consecutive year, won a tournament, was 28th in scoring average, 14th in shots gained tee to green, and 20th in shots gained approach, and was left off the team? We would all argue about how Johnson left that player off the team. Well, those stats belong to Corey Conners. 

Let’s dive into the shots gained tee-to-green stat a little more, where Conners is ranked 14th. He ranks ahead of SEVEN of the players on the American team, some of whom are as far down as 71st. (I'm looking at you, Brian Harman; what have you done this season?)

Conners won for the second time in his career earlier this year at the Valero Texas Open, where in 2019, he won after Monday qualifying. It doesn't get more American than owning at least two pairs of cowboy boots. He contended in Major Championships, easily beating Michael Block at the PGA and finishing T12. And I'll remind everyone again: he lives in Florida. 

Still don't think he should be on the team? Let me remind you that the North American Free Trade Agreement was signed nearly 30 years ago and went into effect on January 1, 1994. After quickly reading through the details, it's evident that Corey is allowed to play on the U.S. Ryder Cup team. (HE LIVES IN FLORIDA). 

Now, Let's reflect on what Conners could bring to the team. 

1. A calming influence. There are some fiery competitors on the team; guys who scream and get the crowd pumped up (Scottie is the first that comes to mind). Corey is known for his calm demeanor and would greatly counter some of the wild personalities of the Red, White and Blue. 
2. He's a flusher and would work amazingly in alternate shot if he was paired correctly. Take, for example, Xander, statistically one of the best putters on the PGA Tour, paired with one of the best ball strikers in Conners. Johnson could have worked a setup where Conners hit the most approaches and Xander putts. Getting four guaranteed points didn't occur to the Iowan. 
3. He lives in Florida, close to multiple players who would have been his teammates. 

The Americans will leave for Rome in two weeks, and I will be at home in Northern Michigan rooting for them like crazy. I look forward to morning golf, but I will lament a decision to leave Corey Conners home for every point that goes up on the European side.

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