There’s a Lot Riding on Ryder Cup Choices

Tom Kite’s least favorite words?

“Let me give you some unsolicited advice . . . “

Not so long ago, there was about as much attention paid to the Ryder Cup as the Quad Cities Open.

Then the format changed, the British team became the European team, and players such as Spain’s Seve Ballesteros and Germany’s Bernhard Langer joined Nick Faldo and Ian Woosnam to make the biennial event almost too interesting for the United States.

In six Ryder Cups since 1985, the Americans have won twice.

They have a chance to regain Samuel Ryder’s cup Sept. 26-28 at Spain’s Valderrama Golf Club, although they will have their least experienced team since the first Ryder Cup 70 years ago.

Of the 10 players who would be automatic selections if the matches were this week, five have never played in the event and three have played once.

As a result, there is more pressure than usual on the captain, Kite, to make sure his two wild-card choices are the right ones.

Kite, who has until the morning after the Aug. 14-17 PGA Championship to choose, is getting plenty of help, which may or may not be a good thing.

“Caddies, caddies’ wives, even people from my home club in Austin [Texas] are telling me who to take,” Kite said Monday during a visit to Los Angeles.

If Phil Mickelson or Davis Love III, who are ninth and 10th in the point standings, fall out of the top 10 in the next three weeks, Kite’s decision no doubt will be easier. I’m guessing he will choose either, or both if necessary.

Beyond that, Fred Couples seems obvious.

And then?

The only thing close to a definitive statement Kite made was that he wouldn’t choose himself, unless he wins the PGA. Considering his top 10 finishes in the Masters and British Open, stranger things have happened.

Otherwise, I have some advice. Unsolicited, of course.

Tom Watson.

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With the season not quite two-thirds complete, it’s possible Raul Mondesi will become the Dodgers’ first member of the 30-30 club for home runs and stolen bases. . . .

He has reached 20-20 this season for the second time in his career. . . .

According to Dodgers Magazine, Mondesi also ate 22 slices of pizza at one sitting in the Dominican Republic. . . .

Teammate Ramon Martinez reportedly watched in “fascination and horror.” . . .

“Scary and crazy” is how Martina Hingis describes her streak of reaching 10 consecutive tournament finals. . . .

She almost certainly will make it 11 and 12 in the next two weeks at La Costa and Manhattan Beach. . . .

If I were a Women’s Tennis Assn. official, I’d be scared and crazed that the tour is so weak it can be easily dominated by a 16-year-old. . . .

Isn’t it about time for Hingis’ autobiography? . . .

She’s behind figure skating world champion Tara Lipinski, whose life story is scheduled for publication this fall. She’s 15. . . .

Also in bookstores this fall will be “Michelle Kwan: Heart of a Champion.” She’s 17. . . .

Mark Messier’s heart no doubt was the main reason Vancouver was willing to guarantee him $18 million for the next three years. . . .

King GM Dave Taylor believes Messier could provide much-needed leadership for the underachieving Canucks, who finished four points out of the playoffs last season. . . .

Over the course of three years, though, Taylor wonders if the Canucks or Messier, 36, have considered the extra miles he’ll put on his body by playing a Western Conference schedule. . . .

In a matchup last week of two of the nation’s best prep centers, Joel Pryzbilla of Monticello, Minn., had a slight edge over Dan Gadzurek of Byefield, Mass., in the Best of the Summer tournament at Cal State Dominguez Hills. . . .

Then Pryzbilla and his teammates went to a Dodger game and couldn’t get in because it was sold out. . . .

They did, however, find Pauley Pavilion open when they made an unofficial visit to UCLA. . . .

Times columnist Jim Murray is an honorary pallbearer for Ben Hogan’s funeral today in Fort Worth. . . .

Among others are Sam Snead, Ken Venturi and Tommy Bolt. . . .

With Mr. Hogan on his way, I’ve got one word for heaven: Fore!

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While wondering who George Steinbrenner will make pay for Hideki Irabu, I was thinking: The one sport in worse shape than women’s tennis is men’s tennis, the Ryder Cup is even more fun than the majors, I’m hoping Mondesi doesn’t go for the 30-30 and 30 club.