RYDER CUP

Golf Final US pick Ryan Moore ready for Ryder Cup debut.

CHASKA, Minn. (AP) — Ryan Moore had just placed second in the Tour Championship, capping a strong weekend in Atlanta with a narrow playoff loss to Rory McIlroy , when he began to load up his gear in the parking lot about 45 minutes later, a flight home to Las Vegas with his family fast approaching.

Moore figured Ryder Cup team captain Davis Love III would try to reach him, but he wasn’t exactly expecting to hear he’d been added as the final pick for the prestigious 12-man squad. There were other candidates on the short list, of course, including Bubba Watson with his No. 7 world ranking and two green jackets.

“I’ve wanted to be a part of one of these events, was beginning to think it might not happen,” Moore said.

The 33-year-old has finished the season strong. He has a solid resume in match play, too, but none of his five career victories include a major tournament. He’s not one of the heavy hitters off the tee. He wasn’t even asked in advance for his measurements in case he was chosen for the squad and needed the requisite clothing.

“I’ve been fitted for every team event, I think, for about the last 10 years,” Moore said. “Every single one until this year, I had done the fitting.”

Sure enough, the call from Love went unanswered and on to voicemail.

“I was like, ‘Whoops,’” Moore said. “I meant to be paying closer attention.”

He quickly called back and immediately sensed the upbeat tone in Love’s voice. After his conversation with the captain, Moore proceeded as planned and dropped his family off in Nevada before heading for Minnesota the following morning to join the U.S. team.