Reading the Green: Ryder Cup edition

CBSSports.com staffers Steve Elling, Ross Devonport and Dan Lubin spotlight one Ryder Cup competitor who could have a big impact on the matches.

Who could have a big impact at the 2008 Ryder Cup matches?
Steve Elling CBSSports.com Senior Writer	Ross Devonport CBSSports.com Fantasy Writer	Dan Lubin CBSSports.com Golf Producer
Soren Hansen There are 10 rookies in this year's event, a staggering number that makes predictions a bit more of a reckless adventure, but with regard to identifying a sleeper player who could help turn the tide, Europe's Soren Hansen merits a strong look. On the range, his swing is a thing of aesthetic beauty. On the putting green, OK, not so much. Yet the Dane has really been coming into his prime at age 34 and has been a rock on the European Tour, and has produced back-to-back top 10 performances in his past two starts. He hasn’t won since 2002, but he could easily be a breakthrough player given his steadiness in 2008. He has seven top 10 finishes this year. While you never know how Ryder rookies will react until balls are in the air, Hansen doesn’t seem the least bit unnerved to be here, either.	Robert Karlsson Karlsson is second on the European Tour Order of Merit (that's the money list across the pond, for you uninformed folks) and would be on top if not for Padraig Harrington winning two majors. Starting with a T8 at the Masters, Karlsson had a streak of seven top 10s in nine events earlier this season, including four consecutive top threes. He finished in the top 10 in three of the four majors, with only a T20 at the PGA Championship ruining the clean sweep. Oh, and he won last week at the Mercedes-Benz Championship to pick up his first win of the year, so he's got that monkey off his back. He also has the experience of playing in the 2006 event, with his only loss coming to Tiger Woods in singles play.	Hunter Mahan Mahan was on the Ryder Cup bubble the entire season and ended up finishing just outside the top 12 in points. But Captain Azinger wisely disregarded the points and selected a player who should be a great asset to the U.S team. Mahan came on strong in the playoffs with T31, T15 and T8 in the first three events. So he must be considered among the hotter commodities on the U.S. team. If Azinger were a good strategist, he would employ Mahan in all the four-ball (best-ball) matches, where you need at least one of your players to be a stabilizing agent. Mahan has been among the most efficient tee-to-green players all season. In four-ball, he's a good bet to deliver one of your balls safely GIR. Team him with a high-risk, high-reward player like Phil Mickelson who plays best in an aggressive mode. Mahan is a great ball striker but wields a rather fickle putter. Keep him on the sidelines for foursomes.