[Darren]

Just posted a piece about the Ryder Cup in the Blog section here

http://www.mytipsters.com/golf-scramble-ryder-cup-places/

[Steve Bamford]

Post Open Championship it’s time for a full review on the automatic spots, so here goes

McIlroy Watson
Dubuisson Walker
Donaldson Fowler
Stenson Furyk
Garcia DJ
Rose Spieth
Kaymer Kuchar
Bjorn Dufner
Donald ZJ

Gallacher and G-Mac are breathing down Donald’s neck in the World Points list. Donald and G-Mac now play 3 weeks straight across Canada, Firestone and the PGA Championship. You’d expect both to go well on the PGA Tour this week. Gallagher will play across Firestone and Valhalla. Poulter is seriously struggling right now, as is Lee Westwood.

In the States the Top 7 in the points look assured. Spieth and Kuchar could do with another Top 5, but would need a huge drop off in form to miss out. The rest of the situation is fascinating. Dufner and ZJ hold the final 2 spots, with Lefty, Woods, Bradley, Snedeker and Simpson on the outside looking in. Tiger is in serious danger of not making the FedEx Cup Play Offs, so the next 2 weeks are absolutely critical for him.

[Steve Bamford]

This week’s PGA Championship marks the cut off to qualify automatically for the Ryder Cup. After the Bridgestone Invitational last week it’s become clear (as if it wasn’t already) that Tiger Woods won’t make the Ryder Cup team; at least on merit. Dustin Johnson’s revelations and consequent ‘time out’ from professional golf, have also opened up another spot in the US team.

Watson, Furyk, Walker, Fowler, and Kuchar have now all officially made the team, leaving 4 spots up for grabs this week. These spaces are currently held by Spieth, Reed, Dufner and Zach Johnson; but in reality the fight is over spaces 7 – 9 and their is plenty of interest in those outside the places.

Mickelson, Bradley, Todd, Moore and Kirk, if results go their way, could all qualify with a Top 20 finish this week. Mickelson and Bradley would get captain’s picks from Tom Watson anyway, leaving a final spot up for grabs for a player who plays well across the FedEx Cup Play Offs. So for players like Todd, Moore, Kirk, English and N; the importance of contending this week is truly vital.

[Steve Bamford]

Mickelson the Magnificent! Phil’s PGA Championship performance was typically ‘on cue’ and boosted him into the 9 automatic spots for the Ryder Cup. The nine automatic berths on the U.S. Ryder Cup team are set with Bubba Watson, Rickie Fowler, Jim Furyk, Jimmy Walker, Phil Mickelson, Matt Kuchar, Jordan Spieth, Patrick Reed and Zach Johnson.

That now leaves 3 Captain’s Picks which Tom Watson will announce after the Deutsche Bank Championship on 2nd September. The European qualification process continues unabated with the current 9 automatic spots currently held by:

Euro Points: McIlroy, Stenson, Dubuisson, Garcia World Points: Rose, Kaymer, Bjorn, Donaldson, McDowell

[Steve Bamford]

It’s finally come down to 2 players for automatic qualification for the European Team. Jamie Donaldson’s magnificent victory in Prague under the most intense pressure has rightfully gained the Welshman the 8th automatic spot; leaving one space to fill via the World Points list. Stephen Gallagher needs to finish in the Top 2 in Turin this week to grab the spot away from Graeme McDowell who isn’t playing in Boston after the birth of his first child. G-Mac will get a Captain’s Pick from Paul McGinley as will Ian Poulter leaving an interesting situation for Stevie G. Qualify automatically or likely miss out on a Ryder Cup debut in his homeland. In the situation that Gallagher doesn’t do enough this week; he will be standing in-line for 3 Captain’s Picks with Donald, Poulter and Westwood. An interesting decision for McGinley which is likely to go in-favour with the established pros, over a virgin Ryder cupper.

[Steve Bamford]

It is done! Captain’s Picks are confirmed. US – Simpson, Mahan and Bradley – Europe – Gallacher, Poulter and Westwood.