When we last checked in on the U.S. Ryder Cup team, it seemed as if things were pretty much settled except for the final two or three spots. As time runs out to qualify on points, however, the final roster has become increasingly murky. Points qualification closes after the PGA Championship, and the top nine in the U.S. Ryder Cup standings on Sunday night will have their spots reserved on the plane over to Scotland. But even those auto spots are shifting all over the place right now.
First, the news of Dustin Johnson taking a leave of absence (or suspension depending on who you ask) was a big blow to the U.S. side. He was going to be a major asset to the team with his length off the tee and experience with team match play golf. He's succeeded at Ryder Cups, and his bombs off the tee probably would have been perfect for Gleneagles. Now he's gone and suddenly Patrick Reed has himself a spot in the top 9 of the points standings.
Next, the the first round of the PGA Championship happened, and you'd think we'd see a lot of players grinding to play their way onto the team. But rather than play themselves in, players are dropping like flies or posting ugly rounds.
Tiger at PGA Championship
Just as things were getting underway Thursday morning, word came out that Matt Kuchar had withdrawn from the season's final major due to a back injury. Whether this injury will keep him out of the Ryder Cup is unknown, but it would be another huge blow to the American team.
The hits kept on coming on Thursday afternoon. Midway through his first round as defending champion, Jason Dufner withdrew from the PGA Championship with a neck injury. It is something that has been bothering him all summer and Duf seemed less than optimistic about playing the rest of the year.
He may still qualify on points, but before the tournament started, he thought he needed six to eight weeks of rest. He was probably only playing because he was defending champ and wanted to solidify his points standing with one lightning-in-a-bottle week. His loss would be another blow to the U.S. side -- Dufner was steady in Chicago two years ago and last year at the Presidents Cup.
Losing Dufner and Kuchar on the same day had to leave Tom Watson shaking his head in frustration. Both are qualified on points at the moment. Kuchar has played in two Ryder Cups compiling a 3-2-2 record. Dufner has only played in one Ryder Cup, but his record was excellent in 2012, going 3-1-0. Here's hoping they're ready when the roster is finalized in September.
Ryder Cup
So if these guys can't go, who should start thinking about heading to Scotland in just 48 days? Jordan Spieth is all set for Scotland, and Patrick Reed, for all intents and purposes, is too. Zach Johnson, an experienced Ryder Cupper, unlike Spieth and Reed, should also feel pretty good about his chances.
Phil Mickelson, who shot 62 in the final round at Firestone and 69 in the first round of the PGA Championship, appears to be playing his way onto the team, whether it's through a late points surge, auto-qualifier due to injury to the guys ahead of him, or as a captain's pick.
Speaking of the captain's selections, despite the injuries in the point races, that's still where things get interesting. Keegan Bradley is thought to be in good shape for a captain's spot, but his opening round 74 in easy scoring conditions wasn't reassuring. With the injuries, however, it's likely Tom Watson goes with Keegan and pairs him with Mickelson, since the two have good experience working together at both the Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup.
Brendon Todd and Ryan Moore have also been playing well, and could make runs at one of the three captain's picks with a solid weekend in Louisville.
As you're probably aware, the one big captain's pick debate centers on what to do with Tiger Woods. When healthy, he is still one of the best U.S. players. If Mickelson gets in on points, he is also the most experienced player available having played in seven Ryder Cups. But his withdrawal from the Bridgestone last week and his opening round 74 at the PGA Championship keep making it harder and harder for Watson to pick him. Again, it's difficult to not pick either the best or second-best American golfer ever, but it's been ugly for Tiger lately and the health issues only complicate matters for Watson.
To recap the issues that have come up in just the past week:
- Dustin is suspended or taking a leave of absence and out
- Matt Kuchar is out of the PGA with a bad back
- Jason Dufner is out of the PGA with a bad neck, and might need two months off
- Keegan Bradley is near the bottom of the PGA leaderboard
- Tiger Woods' game is a mess, and his health questionable
As the weekend at the PGA Championship rolls on, there are several U.S. players to keep an eye on. Because you earn double points for winning the PGA Championship, an American winner this week would rocket up the standings and automatically earn a spot. Here's a look at the current standings:
Place | Player | Points |
1 | Bubba WATSON | 6,892.64 |
2 | Jim FURYK | 5,972.69 |
3 | Jimmy WALKER | 5,585.41 |
4 | Rickie FOWLER | 5,573.25 |
5 | Matt KUCHAR | 5,114.67 |
6 | Jordan SPIETH | 4,835.83 |
7 | Patrick REED | 3,609.39 |
8 | Jason DUFNER | 3,559.72 |
9 | Zach JOHNSON | 3,532.89 |
Top 9 Auto Qualify on Points | ||
10 | Phil MICKELSON | 3,350.34 |
11 | Keegan BRADLEY | 3,324.70 |
12 | Brendon TODD | 3,307.98 |
13 | Ryan MOORE | 3,288.87 |
14 | Chris KIRK | 3,287.88 |
15 | Webb SIMPSON | 3,155.57 |
16 | Harris ENGLISH | 3,036.07 |
17 | Kevin NA | 2,960.82 |
18 | Matt EVERY | 2,527.31 |
19 | Erik COMPTON | 2,458.79 |
20 | Kevin STADLER | 2,419.08 |
21 | Brian HARMAN | 2,383.70 |
22 | Gary WOODLAND | 2,364.39 |
23 | J.B. HOLMES | 2,265.54 |
24 | Kevin STREELMAN | 2,215.51 |
25 | Brandt SNEDEKER | 2,094.65 |
26 | Bill HAAS | 2,009.64 |
29 | Ryan PALMER | 1,877.13 |
32 | Hunter MAHAN | 1,820.36 |
34 | Billy HORSCHEL | 1,714.22 |
38 | Steve STRICKER (Asst. Capt) | 1,478.86 |
69 | Tiger WOODS | 806.254 |