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Picking The 2010 Ryder Cup Captain

November 04, 2008

(AP) -- The PGA of America holds its annual meeting this week in Arizona, where it will elect a new secretary, hand out its first "PGA Patriot Award" and have focus groups discuss the economy's effect on golf.

Missing from the agenda is selecting the next U.S. Ryder Cup captain.

Dating to 1991, the PGA of America has picked a new captain no more than two months after the finish of that year's Ryder Cup, and chief executive Joe Steranka recently said there were more candidates available than Ryder Cups.

So why the delay?

"We've taken a patient approach to making a decision about 2010," Steranka said. "All the accolades deserving of this team have been allowed to play themselves out. There's still a lot of nice things being written, awards being given and recognition of players and captains. There's not an urgency to make that decision."

Corey Pavin, who spent plenty of time in hospitality at the PGA Championship, is regarded as one of the favorites to succeed Paul Azinger as captain. Davis Love III would be an obvious choice, but he has said he wants to play on the next team.

American players lobbied for Azinger to return as captain, but the last captain to get a second chance was Jack Nicklaus at his home course of Muirfield Village in 1987. And by ending a three-match losing streak, Azinger would have nothing to gain in 2010 at Wales.

Steranka said the PGA would start contemplating the next captain "later this year or early next year," although it likely will be January.

"There's just not an urgency," he said. "Part of that is the newness of winning the Ryder Cup. There will be time to address 2010. Right now, we're going to enjoy this one."

Meanwhile, Jim Remy of Vermont will become the first PGA member from the New England section to be installed as president.

Allen Wronowski will move up as vice president. PGA members will elect a secretary, either Ted Bishop of Indiana or Ted O'Rourke of New Jersey.