"I have more of an everything to gain situation. There will a little more heat on Nick to get it right. A little more of the microscope on him if he loses. Bottom line is it's up to the players."

Azinger will face a tough task as U.S. captain after Tom Lehman's team crashed to a record-equalling defeat by 18-1/2 points to 9-1/2 at the K Club in Ireland in September.

The Americans have lost five of the last six Ryder Cups.

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