September 2, 2008

When the 2008 Ryder Cup tees off in just over two weeks, PING pros will be represented on both sides as Hunter Mahan earned one of four captain's picks when the U.S. team was finalized today. Two days ago, England's Lee Westwood and Spain's Miguel Angel Jimenez secured automatic bids on the European team through its points system.

It marks Mahan's first appearance in the Ryder Cup and second in international team play. Last year he was a captain's pick for the winning President's Cup team. Currently ranked 37rd in the world, the 26-year-old has four top-10 finishes to date in 2008. He's 34th on the money list and ranks 5th in Greens-In-Regulation. Since joining the PGA Tour in 2004, he's shot 62 five times, including the first round of the Barclays two weeks ago.

For Westwood and Jimenez, it will be their sixth and third appearances, respectively. Both are enjoying exceptional seasons on the international stage as well as on their home tour. Westwood boasts ten top-10s this season, including a third place finish at the U.S. Open and a tie for second at the World Golf Championship—Bridgestone Invitational. Jimenez has two wins to his credit this year and seven top-10 finishes, including a tie for 6th at the U.S. Open.