US captain Paul Azinger applauded the fighting qualities of Ben Curtis after he booked his place in the Ryder Cup team by tying for second in the final major of the year. Curtis was one of eight US players to qualify automatically for the Sept. 19-21 matches against Europe after Sunday's US PGA Championship final round. “I've had my eye on Ben Curtis for a long time and I really believe he is going to add a lot to this team,” Azinger told a news conference at Oakland Hills Country Club on Monday. “I could not be more excited for him. I like the fact he won the British Open and came back, after having a down spell in his career, and won those two tournaments in that one year. I saw a lot of heart in Ben Curtis.” Curtis, surprise winner of the 2003 British Open as a 300-1 outsider, triumphed twice on the 2006 PGA Tour. On Sunday, he ended two strokes behind champion Padraig Harrington of Ireland. “Ben has got that kind of demeanour we need on the Ryder Cup team,” Azinger said. “He's a little more stoic, a little more subdued, but I like his personality. He's the type of guy that's going to just put his head down and barrel on. “I've always had my eye on him. I was hoping he played well at some point so I could either pick him or he'd make the team, and he's done it. “Ben Curtis played terrific yesterday. He didn't lose the PGA, Padraig Harrington went out and won it.” Also gaining berths for next month's Ryder Cup in Louisville, Kentucky were Stewart Cink, Phil Mickelson, Kenny Perry, Jim Furyk, Anthony Kim, Justin Leonard and Boo Weekley. “The top eight guys have really earned their spot. They have played well this year under pressure,” Azinger said. “The selection process has worked so far and I'm really excited about who we have on the team.”
