RYDER CUP US TEAM NEWS: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 September 19th-21st 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 yesterday.

"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."

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.