Decisions Decisions...
In a few weeks, we will know nine of the twelve members of the United States Ryder Cup Team. If the team were formed today, these are the nine players who would make Tom Watson's squad:
Bubba Watson
Jimmy Walker
Rickie Fowler
Jim Furyk
Dustin Johnson
Jordan Spieth
Matt Kuchar
Jason Dufner
Zach Johnson
If I had to speculate, I would guess that the only two question marks on that team, from a points standpoint, are Jason Dufner and Zach Johnson. The players occupying the first seven spots are almost assured to make the team on points. That means that US team would have two rookies on the squad with five spots available. Dufner's play has been spotty this year and while Zach Johnson had a brilliant start to the year, his play has fallen off the last few months with the exception of a high finish at the John Deere Classic.
The next five spots on the current standings are taken by:
Patrick Reed
Phil Mickelson
Brendon Todd
Chris Kirk
Ryan Moore
Reed falls into the same category as Johnson - hot start to the year but has fallen off significantly in the last couple of months. It's hard to believe that Watson would add either Kirk or Moore to this team. Todd is definitely intriguing as he has had a breakthrough year on the Tour. Mickelson is still looking for his first win this year, as is the guy whose name is not currently on any of these lists: Tiger Woods.
Watson has said that if Woods is healthy and playing well he would make the team. The problem for Tiger? He only has two events left to show Captain Watson that his game is ready for the Ryder Cup. Tiger is not playing the RBC Canadian Open this week and will play Bridgestone and the PGA Championship before the first nine spots are filled. Unless Tiger rips off a couple of top finishes in the last two events, he will not qualify for the PGA Tour Playoffs.
Assuming that the top nine players remain in those spots, my captains picks sitting here today would be Keegan Bradley, Brendon Todd, and Mickelson/Woods depending on who impressed me more coming out of the last two events of the year.
Bubba Watson
Jimmy Walker
Rickie Fowler
Jim Furyk
Dustin Johnson
Jordan Spieth
Matt Kuchar
Jason Dufner
Zach Johnson
If I had to speculate, I would guess that the only two question marks on that team, from a points standpoint, are Jason Dufner and Zach Johnson. The players occupying the first seven spots are almost assured to make the team on points. That means that US team would have two rookies on the squad with five spots available. Dufner's play has been spotty this year and while Zach Johnson had a brilliant start to the year, his play has fallen off the last few months with the exception of a high finish at the John Deere Classic.
The next five spots on the current standings are taken by:
Patrick Reed
Phil Mickelson
Brendon Todd
Chris Kirk
Ryan Moore
Reed falls into the same category as Johnson - hot start to the year but has fallen off significantly in the last couple of months. It's hard to believe that Watson would add either Kirk or Moore to this team. Todd is definitely intriguing as he has had a breakthrough year on the Tour. Mickelson is still looking for his first win this year, as is the guy whose name is not currently on any of these lists: Tiger Woods.
Watson has said that if Woods is healthy and playing well he would make the team. The problem for Tiger? He only has two events left to show Captain Watson that his game is ready for the Ryder Cup. Tiger is not playing the RBC Canadian Open this week and will play Bridgestone and the PGA Championship before the first nine spots are filled. Unless Tiger rips off a couple of top finishes in the last two events, he will not qualify for the PGA Tour Playoffs.
Assuming that the top nine players remain in those spots, my captains picks sitting here today would be Keegan Bradley, Brendon Todd, and Mickelson/Woods depending on who impressed me more coming out of the last two events of the year.
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