We are now less than 60 days away from the start of the 2014 Ryder Cup. During the next few weeks, we will get a clearer picture of the players that will make up the United States team. The points qualification process will close next Sunday, and nine of 12 spots will be filled. Let's look at the current standings and explore some options that American captain Tom Watson will consider for his three captain's picks.
On the Team as of July 28:
Bubba Watson - Thanks to his wins at the Masters and the Northern Trust Open, Bubba is a lock for the team. In two Ryder Cups (2010, 2012), Watson has a losing record of 3-5-0. With his creativity and ability to hit any shot on the course, he's a huge asset in match play where a blow-up hole doesn't hurt you as much as stroke play.
Jimmy Walker - Jimmy Walker won three times during the 2013-2014 wraparound season. That's very good. The problem for Walker is that his third win came all the way back in February. He has been up and down since then. He has been impressive and hung around in big events like the Masters (T8), the PLAYERS (T6), and the U.S. Open (T9). But he has also struggled at times, missing the cut at the Wells Fargo Championship and the Greenbrier Classic. Those three early wins settled him atop the FedExCup standings before the snow melted in the east, and also locked up his Ryder Cup slot. This will be his first Ryder Cup.
Rickie Fowler - Rickie has skyrocketed up this list thanks to his stellar play at the U.S. and British Opens. The 25-year old is quickly gaining a reputation as a big game player and should be an asset, if not the U.S. team's top guy at Gleneagles.
Jim Furyk - This will be Furyk's ninth (!) Ryder Cup. With names like Woods and Mickelson possibly staying home, Furyk will take on the role of mentor and elder statesman for the U.S. team. He will also need to shake off his 2012 collapse and improve on his 9-17-4 record for the U.S. to have a chance.
Dustin Johnson - DJ looks like a safe bet to play in his third Ryder Cup. He contended at the Open Championship, but ultimately his putter prevented him from getting closer to Rory McIlroy. His length off the tee could be an advantage at Gleneagles, where three of the four par 5s should be reachable in two.
Jordan Spieth - Jordan Spieth's rise to superstardom should get another boost with his inclusion at the Ryder Cup. He got his first pro team golf experience last fall at the Presidents Cup, going 2-1-0 in two-man play before losing a singles match to Graham DeLaet. That experience should serve him well at just 21-years old.
Matt Kuchar - Last fall, Kuchar was part of the fun loving "Fresh Prince" team for the United States in the Presidents Cup. Could a reunion be in the works at Gleneagles?
Well Kuchar has kept up his end of the deal and should find a way onto the U.S. team. If he were to slip out of the top nine, Tom Watson would have to strongly consider him for a captain's pick. Kuchar has compiled a 3-2-2 record in two Ryder Cups. Not many players in the U.S. pool have a winning record like Kuch.
Jason Dufner - Since winning the PGA Championship last year, Jason Dufner has been pretty average. He lost in a playoff at the Crowne Plaza Invitational, but that's been about it. His 2014 major championships have been a disaster with two missed cuts and a T51 finish at the Open. Because of his win at last year's PGA (players get double points for major championships), he is still in the top nine, but he could be on the outside looking in if he doesn't put together some strong finishes in the next few weeks.
Zach Johnson - Johnson is still one of the best on Tour from 100 yards and in, a skill that is a great benefit in match play scenarios. His ability to get up and down and make birdies can wear on opponents and has led to a 6-4-1 Ryder Cup record in three appearances. He and Dufner have also been close to unbeatable as a ball-striking duo in both the Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup the last two years.
On the Bubble:
Patrick Reed - After winning the Cadillac Championship, it seemed that Reed was a lock for the American team. But it has been a rough summer for the self-proclaimed "top 5" player in the world. He is now in the 10th spot in Ryder Cup standings and hasn't been playing well enough to warrant a captain's pick at this point. Since the Masters, he has missed 6 cuts, including the Open Championship. He also imploded at the Quicken Loans National, shooting a final round 77 after holding the 54-hole lead.
Phil Mickelson - It is hard to imagine a Ryder Cup team without Phil Mickelson, but this could be the first time he's not on the American roster since 1993. The only reason Mickelson is close to an automatic spot (currently in 11th place) is thanks to his win at the Open Championship last summer. It will likely take a Captain's pick for Mickelson to make the 2014 team.
Brendon Todd - Todd has been one of the most consistent American golfers this summer. Since his win at the Byron Nelson in May, Todd has played in six events and finished outside the top 20 just once. In his last seven starts, he's finished eighth or better in five of them. He's not a big name like everyone around him on this list, but if he doesn't make it on points, Tom Watson will have to consider Todd thanks to his consistent play.
Possible Captain's Picks:
Tiger Woods - Unless he does something miraculous in the next few weeks, Tiger will have to rely on a Captain's selection to make the team. He has stated that he wants in, but it's possible that we only see Tiger in two more events before the Ryder Cup. He currently sits at 806 points and will have a hard time getting into the top nine considering he is currently 70th. Should Watson add Woods to the team, he will have to hope and pray Tiger can improve on his 13-17-3 record. So to recap, a player who hasn't played well this year and has a losing Ryder Cup record is being considered for a spot on the United States team. He just so happens to be named Tiger Woods.
Keegan Bradley - Bradley was a breakout star at the 2012 Ryder Cup. His 3-1-0 record was among the best on the U.S. squad and could influence Tom Watson this year. He was one of just two players (Furyk the other) to take up Watson on that scouting trip to Gleneagles when everyone was over in Britain for the Open. He wants on the roster badly, and would be a natural partner for Phil again. Plus, we would get his caddy again, and that's always a plus.
(via @bubbaprog)
Hunter Mahan - Of the players on the outside of the top 9, there aren't many with multiple Ryder Cups on their resume. Mahan is one of the exceptions having played in 2008 and 2010. He could be a valuable player for the U.S. but his erratic play this season may keep him off the team. Watson loves Mahan, and specifically cited his omission from the 2012 team last year when discussing the likely decision to pare down the captain's picks from four to three.
Tom Watson - It was a common joke during the Open Championship that Watson should pick himself thanks to his strong play, especially across the pond. While he probably won't do it, he did finish five shots ahead of potential captain's pick Tiger Woods, who is still behind the 64-year old in the FedExCup standings.
Here are the Ryder Cup points standings, which will close after the PGA Championship. The top 9 will earn automatic spots, and Watson will then make his three captain's picks at some point in September. Bubba is the only player to have officially clinched a spot, but the top seven can start planning their trip to Scotland.
Place | Player | Points |
1 | Bubba WATSON | 6,828.14 |
2 | Jim FURYK | 5,875.19 |
3 | Jimmy WALKER | 5,510.21 |
4 | Rickie FOWLER | 5,403.25 |
5 | Dustin JOHNSON | 5,133.81 |
6 | Matt KUCHAR | 4,999.67 |
7 | Jordan SPIETH | 4,781.83 |
8 | Jason DUFNER | 3,516.35 |
9 | Zach JOHNSON | 3,450.89 |
Top 9 Automatically Qualify as of Aug 11 | ||
10 | Patrick REED | 3,301.39 |
11 | Phil MICKELSON | 3,252.84 |
12 | Brendon TODD | 3,250.48 |
13 | Chris KIRK | 3,226.88 |
14 | Ryan MOORE | 3,118.87 |
15 | Webb SIMPSON | 3,086.07 |
16 | Keegan BRADLEY | 3,016.70 |
17 | Harris ENGLISH | 2,966.57 |
18 | Kevin NA | 2,878.82 |
19 | Matt EVERY | 2,471.81 |
20 | Erik COMPTON | 2,458.79 |
21 | Brian HARMAN | 2,339.95 |
22 | Kevin STADLER | 2,330.08 |
23 | Gary WOODLAND | 2,275.39 |
24 | J.B. HOLMES | 2,190.34 |
25 | Kevin STREELMAN | 2,173.26 |
26 | Charley HOFFMAN | 1,991.02 |
27 | Brandt SNEDEKER | 1,979.65 |
28 | Bill HAAS | 1,948.64 |
29 | George MCNEILL | 1,893.78 |
30 | Ryan PALMER | 1,877.13 |
34 | Hunter MAHAN | 1,722.86 |
35 | Billy HORSCHEL | 1,714.22 |
39 | Steve STRICKER | 1,434.61 |
70 | Tiger WOODS | 806.254 |