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Olazabal surprised Mahan not part of U.S. team

European Ryder Cup captain Jose Maria Olazabal is surprised by Hunter Mahan's absence from the U.S. squad, according to multiple reports.

Olazabal figured on Steve Stricker and Jim Furyk receiving wild cards, but didn't expect U.S. captain Davis Love III to give the other two to Dustin Johnson and Brandt Snedeker, thus passing over Mahan, who had been part of the past five Ryder Cup teams.

"They are very solid picks," Olazabal said Wednesday. "All the American players from nine to 14 on the list were all very solid and Davis could have picked any four. The only question mark as I see it was Snedeker picked ahead of Mahan, but then Davis has gone for form. Snedeker has pretty much been playing well from the start of the summer and all the way to the FedEx Series. However, Mahan has not been playing all that well, so (Love) went for form and in that regard he has my respect."

The Ryder Cup will be held Sept. 28-30 at Medinah, near Chicago.