With less than two months to go until the Ryder Cup, team rosters are beginning to form. Each team will have six players automatically qualify, while an additional six will be chosen by the respective captains.
Current Selections
United States: Scottie Scheffler, J.J. Spaun, Xander Schauffele. New: Bryson DeChambeau, Harris English, Russell Henley
As anticipated, DeChambeau, English, and Henley have successfully claimed their places on the U.S. team without needing to rely on captain’s picks. Despite being on the LIV tour and facing point restrictions, DeChambeau is celebrated as an automatic pick. English finished T12 at the BMW Championship, while Henley, a stroke behind, secured a T15 finish, showcasing their consistent performances.
European Selections
Europe: Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Tommy Fleetwood. New: Robert MacIntyre, Tyrrell Hatton
MacIntyre had a challenging weekend, losing to Scheffler at the BMW and facing some American fan banter, yet he earned his spot on the European team, along with Hatton who completed his time on the LIV tour.
Automatic Qualification Positions
United States: N/A
Automatic qualification is now complete for the U.S., with players now vying for the attention of captain Keegan Bradley.
Europe: Sepp Straka or Shane Lowry
Both Straka and Lowry are guaranteed spots, adding some intrigue to this week’s Tour Championship, which could determine who gets an automatic bid and who might receive a less favorable call. Both players have shown strong performances throughout the season.
Potential Captain’s Picks
Each captain—Bradley for the U.S. and Luke Donald for Europe—will make six selections, leading to some intriguing decisions. Should they choose high-performing players from less intense competitions or those who excel under pressure? The mix of veterans and newcomers also poses interesting choices. Notable candidates for the U.S. team include:
United States: Collin Morikawa, Justin Thomas, Ben Griffin
Morikawa and Thomas have solidified their places, while Griffin, despite facing an odd mishap at the BMW, remains in contention. Interesting candidates like Cameron Young, Patrick Cantlay, and Sam Burns are also seeking to impress before the final selections are made.
Europe’s Candidates
Europe: Ludvig Åberg, Rasmus Højgaard, Viktor Hovland
Europe boasts a strong lineup with Åberg, Højgaard, and Hovland ready to shine against American opposition. The challenge for captain Luke Donald lies in integrating talents like Marco Penge, who excels in Europe but lacks experience on American soil.
Keegan Bradley’s Dilemma
The Big Question: Will Keegan Bradley opt to include himself in the team as a player?
Bradley’s journey is noteworthy—once overlooked by captain Zach Johnson, he now leads the U.S. team. Despite being an experienced player, Bradley’s current standing at 11th poses a unique dilemma: should he select himself as a playing captain, or give the spot to another player? His recent performance at the BMW was commendable but not enough to guarantee an automatic selection. With his participation in this week’s Tour Championship, Bradley’s showing could influence his decision, but ultimately, it remains his choice to make.
