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There are only three weeks left for aspiring players to automatically qualify for the 2018 Ryder Cup. Hope is not lost for those who fail to grab one of the eight selections; After the PGA Championship (the last chance for an automatic bid), candidates have four more tournaments to prove their mettle to US captain Jim Furyk, who will announce three of his picks after the Dell Technologies championship, with the last slot filled At the conclusion of the BMW Championship
However, with almost a whole season of evidence at our disposal (and two years of major performances), the US picture is becoming clearer. And, surprisingly, there is a chance that only half of the 2016 Juggernaut team will come back this fall. With the end of time, here is a bubble watch for the 2018 American Ryder Cup.
Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson, Patrick Reed, Justin Thomas, Bubba Watson, Jordan Spieth
No need speculation; these six have already won their invitation based on points accumulated.
All these names were awarded to Paris before the season started except for Watson, who had a rebirth (Bubbaissance?) In 2018 with three wins. Although he has not played in an American team since the 2015 Presidents Cup, Watson, 39, has three Ryder Cups on his CV, 3-8 in 11 games. . The only real question is about possible pairings with Bubba, although Webb Simpson (more about him in a moment) seems to be a natural fit.
Thomas is the only one in this group without Ryder Cup experience, he just misses the team in 2016. However, the reigning player of the year was a stunt at the 2017 Presidents Cup, winning 3.5 points in four games.
SHOULD BE IN
Rickie Fowler, Phil Mickelson, Simpson Webb
Something should go seriously wrong in the end for Fowler to make not the club. He is enjoying another solid year (10 top 25 in 16 starts, highlighted by a Masters finalist), and although his shots are gaining ground, he has been a key member of the last three winning teams in the United States . Coupled with his successful partnership with Thomas at Liberty National, Fowler should keep the last weekend of September open on his schedule.
It's easy to dismiss Simpson's eighth position on the Ryder Cup list as an aberration, a by-product of his championship victory. This Sawgrbad is Simpson's only victory over the past four years is true; Conversely, the former US Open champion has quietly tinkered with a beautiful 2018. Simpson has six top 10 on the season, with respectable performances in the first three majors (T-20 Masters, T-10 US Open, British T-12). Combined with his prowess on the second shot and his short game (20th in SS / approach, fifth in SG / putting), Simpson would be a good addition to a powerful American team.
As for Mickelson, yes, it would be a shock if he did not play in France. Not only does he rank 10th in the current rankings and he is an integral part of the US task force, but the last time this guy missed an American event in 1993. However, since he's started smoking, five of the top six, including a win, in his first eight starts), Mickelson looks a lot like the 48-year-old man he's introduced, only a top 10 since March. That he did titles for reasons other than his game did not help. Again, he would be a stoner of stone he was not doing the team, but with the biennial event at two months old, Mickelson's game needs a tune-up .
LEFT WORK
Bryson DeChambeau, Alex Schauffele, Tony Finau, Kuchar Matt, Brian Harman, Kevin Kisner
This highlights the depth of the American golf. Each list is a terrific player with a viable argument for inclusion. Still, the nine players mentioned above are sure bets to make the team, and there is a chance that only two, even just one, of this clbad will get the call. Their cases:
-Dechambeau: Phenomenal all-around game (10th in strokes), first seven 10 (highlighted by a win, second place and third place) and ninth in the current standings. Also most likely to trigger an international incident, which can not be overlooked.
-Schauffele: How about this big-game experience: In six career tournaments, the X-Man finished in the top six. And, it should be noted, a T-2 in the "fifth major" this May.
-Finau: More than just muscle, with the top 10 of the three majors this year. Also, shot a 68 at Augusta National the day after dislocating his monster ankle. Quite sure that this is the type of cat that will not be disturbed by the raucous crowds
-Kuchar: He had a little trouble in 2018 (48th in strokes won, 64th in FedEx Cup). Well played at Carnoustie (T-9) and, given the American youth, could win the "veteran choice" required.
-Kisner / Harman: It's unfair to encapsulate their games in the "bulldog, grinder" label, though their scrambled dexterity is something that this American list lacks. Harman has a good record in match play, while Kisner was well acquitted of the Presidents Cup last year
It is obvious that many names will be left out, but it will take Wait for a return of rowboats.
OUTSIDE THE SEARCH
Aaron Wise, Zach Johnson, Charley Hoffman, Kevin Chappell, Kevin Chappell, Kevin Na, Patrick Cantlay, Ryan Moore
Johnson, Walker and Moore played at Hazeltine, while Hoffman and Chappell made appearances at Liberty National, and Wise and Cantlay are new stars, but they will not soften it: they do not win the Wanamaker, this group needs a month of August to win a trip overseas. In this same breath, this group can also be seen as spoilers, the NCAA 18-14 basketball team that wins its conference league and breaks the bubble March Madness of someone. That's what Moore did in 2016, winning the John Deere, placing in the top 10 in the Barclays and Deutsche Bank playoffs before winning the captain's last choice with a sudden loss to the Tour Championship
as he had a promising outing to Carnoustie (T-12). Bellerive fits well in his game, and his tee-to-green game (ninth in this category) is a coveted attribute in all Ryder Cup formats.
Tiger Woods
The stunning Woods at Carnoustie propelled it to 20th rank of the overall standings, but – unless he wins at St. Louis – he will not qualify by points. Has his game justified a place of alignment? This time last week, this could be discussed to varying degrees; Even now he could be countered, since he ranks 43rd in the FedEx Cup. But Woods has six of the top 12 finishes in his last 10 starts and ranks sixth in strokes. The fact that he has become a mentor and a leading voice as vice-captain in the US locker room can not be overstated. It would be far from a ceremonial choice
Keeping this position in mind, professional sports events are just that, a business. And the Ryder Cup, despite its increased popularity and importance, remains an exhibition. In economics and commerce, to say nothing of marketing and broadcasting, excluding the most popular player on the planet makes no sense. The only way Woods does not play, is when he withdraws from the race, citing the record of the season on his health or well-being. An excuse quite valid, and frankly, a very on the table.
As illustrated, the competition for 12 places is fierce. But unless the man himself says it differently, expect Tiger Woods to take it for red, white and blue.
This year's Ryder Cup begins on September 28th at Golf National. The Americans are the defending champions, but have not won in Europe in 25 years.
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