Azinger came to Rupp Arena Saturday to watch Kentucky and Louisville play basketball - and thoroughly enjoyed himself. He met with media members before the game, made a midcourt appearance to encourage fans to support the Ryder Cup team and then watched Louisville beat UK.
He's already talked to stars such as Tiger Woods and Jim Furyk about what they think about Ryder Cup play. He's also talked to legendary Jack Nicklaus about his Ryder Cup experience.
The perfect Ryder Cup team
What he would like to do is have Steve Flesch, Kenny Perry and/or J.B. Holmes, all native Kentuckians, on the Ryder Cup team.
"They all three would be huge assets primarily because of their games. I love all their personalities, plus they could energize the crowd. I hope they don't try to hard (to qualify for the team). I'm going to talk to all three. I would like to see all three on the team."
Even Holmes, a former UK golf star from Campbellsville who won a tourney in his rookie season in 2006 but struggled most of last season?
"I will leave that up to J.B. Holmes. I have played a lot of golf with him and he is the style player that I think would make our team great," Azinger said. "He knows I have got an eye on him. I look forward to talking to him, probably in Hawaii, and just telling him not to press or try too hard, but that is the style of play that I think can make a huge difference in our team."
To hear Azinger talk about Holmes' chances of making the Ryder Cup team, click here.
Even if there is not a Kentuckian on the Ryder Cup team in September, Azinger wants fans to be vocal in their support of the American team just like European fans are when the Ryder Cup is played overseas.
"I have been booed at the Ryder Cup," Azinger said.
He's not advocating fans do that, but he sees nothing wrong with fans reacting the same way they did at the UK-Louisville basketball game.
"The fans are rabid here. They could be instrumental. You will be able to tell a different way European fans cheer. I think the fans here will understand the difference.
"My hope is that great sportsmanship wins out. I want American fans to understand what we are getting into. Over 100 countries will be watching (on TV).
"The energy from the crowd resonates to the players. The crowd can impact players and the way you feel. They get you energized.
"In golf, we rarely play a team format. Tiger feels that all the time (from the fans' energy). There will be 30,000 people there that love the Americans. They will love the Ryder Cup."
