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As the first FedEx Cup was awarded to Tiger Woods on Sunday evening, my thoughts turned to another cup competition, the 2008 Ryder Cup.
The United States Ryder Cup team was dominated at Oakland Hills in 2004 and lost to the Europeans, 18 1/2-9 1/2. At the rain-soaked K Club in Ireland two years later, the Americans lost by the same score.
The American golfers badly want to win the Ryder Cup and end the European domination, but they may face a tough choice this time next year. The matches will be held immediately after the Tour Championship, from Sept. 16-21, at Valhalla in Louisville, Ky. If no changes are made to the FedEx Cup playoff system, the top American players may be torn between focusing on the FedEx Cup, and the millions of dollars up for grabs, or taking time off to prepare for golf's biggest team competition.
After he completed his final round at the Tour Championship, Jim Furyk, the third-ranked player in the world, said, "Guys will analyze their schedules and priorities. And for a lot of players Ryder Cup is very, very important."
Steve Stricker earned $1.26 million for winning the Barclays Championship and competed in all four playoff events. For coming in second place in the FedEx Cup points race, he added $3 million to his retirement account. But even with that financial windfall, he said the Ryder Cup would be on his mind if he were to find himself in the same situation next year.
"It would be very difficult," he said. "For me, playing on my first Ryder Cup team, I think the adrenaline would be flowing. But with that said, I don't know if I would be able to play my best golf."
Playing their best would likely be the major concern for many of the top American players, who have faltered in recent Ryder Cups.
