Ryder Cup captain Paul Azinger has said that the US team will be stronger this year due to changes in the selection process.
With the US having lost five of the last six clashes with Europe, Azinger is under pressure to deliver a winning formula when the 2008 event takes place at Valhalla in September.
In an attempt to boost the US challenge, Azinger will use four captain''s picks instead of the usual two, as well as giving his players a choice over who they are partnered with.
"My first question is, is there anyone on the team you just don''t want to play with?" the 48-year-old told reporters at Muirfield Village this week.
Nike golfer Tiger Woods and Callaway''s Phil Mickelson were famously paired together by captain Hal Sutton in the 2004 Ryder Cup at Oakland Hills, despite their frosty relationship.
"With all my heart I believe the selection process is going to make the big difference," Azinger added.
Although Woods is absent from the Memorial Tournament in Ohio this week, several players likely to feature in the US Ryder Cup team will take part, including Mickelson and Jim Furyk.
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