U.S. Ryder Cup Picks: Drama and Uncertainty Remains
Ryder Cup Captain’s Picks: Assessing the Contenders After Saturday at the Tour Championship
Table of Contents
- Ryder Cup Captain’s Picks: Assessing the Contenders After Saturday at the Tour Championship
- 7. Chris Gotterup - Needs a Miracle
- 6. Maverick McNealy - Probably Also Needs a Miracle
- 5. Sam Burns - Needs a Statement Round – or Some Help
- 4. Cameron Young - Needs to Keep Doing What He’s doing
- 3. Keegan Bradley - needs to Keep Doing What He’s Doing – and Bet on Himself
- 1 and 2. Ben Griffin and Patrick Cantlay – Need to Stay Vertical
- Ryder Cup Standings (Top Contenders)
The third round of the Tour Championship presented a compelling subplot: U.S. Ryder Cup Captain Keegan Bradley carding a seven-under 63, propelling him into contention and seemingly onto his own Ryder Cup roster. Though, the decision isn’t that straightforward, as several other players are also making strong cases for inclusion.
Sunday’s final round serves as the last audition for potential U.S. Ryder Cup team members. With six players already auto-qualified, Bradley and his staff will select six captain’s picks this Wednesday. Assuming Justin Thomas and Collin Morikawa are secure selections (ranked 7th and 8th in the standings), four spots remain, contested by seven players. Here’s an assessment of their chances, ranked from least to most likely to make the team.
7. Chris Gotterup - Needs a Miracle
Chris Gotterup faces an uphill battle to earn a spot on the Ryder Cup team. However, his unexpected win at the Scottish Open injected him into the conversation. Starting Sunday at T10, eight shots back, he needs an extraordinary round – one that impresses Bradley and potentially surpasses him on the leaderboard – to have any chance of representing the U.S. at Bethpage next month.
6. Maverick McNealy - Probably Also Needs a Miracle
Maverick McNealy made a late push with a third-place finish at the BMW Championship, moving to No. 10 in the Ryder Cup standings. His strong putting is a valuable asset in high-pressure Ryder Cup situations. However, his lack of U.S. team experience and limited contention in major championships are likely notable drawbacks. Currently at T16, 10 shots off the lead, his candidacy appears increasingly unlikely.
5. Sam Burns - Needs a Statement Round – or Some Help
Sam Burns re-entered the Ryder Cup conversation with a T4 finish at the BMW Championship.He possesses several advantages: arguably the best putting in the world, prior Ryder Cup experience, a strong record at the Presidents Cup (3-0-1), and a close friendship with World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler. Currently T7, an impressive Sunday round could provide Captain Bradley with the clarity he seeks.
4. Cameron Young - Needs to Keep Doing What He’s doing
Cameron Young bolstered his case on Friday. He emphasized his recent form (WIN-5th-11th in his last three weeks), his familiarity with East Lake (a frequent major championship venue), and his strong major championship record as key arguments for his selection.
Currently in sixth place heading into Sunday,continued success would make him a challenging player to overlook,even as a Ryder Cup rookie.
3. Keegan Bradley - needs to Keep Doing What He’s Doing – and Bet on Himself
Keegan bradley should focus solely on winning the Tour Championship on Sunday, setting aside his captaincy and Ryder Cup candidacy. His Saturday 63 suggests a strong performance this week could justify selecting himself for the team.
Bradley acknowledges the potential controversy surrounding his decision, but believes accepting that reality will free him to make the choice that best improves the team’s chances. His Saturday performance indicated he believes that choice might include himself.
1 and 2. Ben Griffin and Patrick Cantlay – Need to Stay Vertical
ben Griffin appears to be a lock for the team, finishing No. 9 in the Ryder Cup standings. His recent form has been consistently strong, with nine top-12 finishes in his last nine starts, overshadowing two missed cuts in July.
Patrick Cantlay, ranked no. 15, has had a solid season with nine top-15 finishes, including a T4. His clutch putting in team competitions and potential leadership role make him a priority for U.S. leadership. Currently tied for the lead heading into sunday, maintaining his position would likely secure his spot on the team, and potentially a $10 million prize.
Ryder Cup Standings (Top Contenders)
| rank | Player | Current Form (Tour Championship) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/2 | Patrick Cantlay | T1 | strong season, clutch putter, leadership potential. |
| 1/2 | Ben Griffin | T1 | Consistent performance, strong recent form. |
| 3 | Keegan Bradley | 4th | Captain, strong recent round, potential self-pick. |
| 4 | Cameron Young | 6th | Recent strong form, good major record. |
| 5 | Sam Burns | 7th | Excellent putter, prior Ryder Cup experience. |
| 6 | Maverick McNealy | T16 | Strong putter, lacks experience. |
| 7 | Chris Gotterup | T10 | Needs a miraculous round. |