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It is done! Captain’s Picks are confirmed. US – Simpson, Mahan and Bradley – Europe – Gallacher, Poulter and Westwood.
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.
Well I was right about Hunter Mahan! Nice result for followers at 50/1 last week in New Jersey. So with Mahan and Bradley shoe-ins, we’ve got a situation at the Deutsche where there is a single spot up for grabs for the strongest. The most likely looking at current form has to be Bill Haas. Will he turn up at TPC Boston, or will Snedeker or Simpson show their pedigree?
Well things have changed one week down the line. No Tiger and Steve Stricker has ruled himself out of the race. Jason Dufner can’t compete as he has bulging disc problems meaning that the opportunities for picks have widened. Bradley is a shoe-in leaving 2 spots. So I will go for Snedeker and Mahan
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
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.
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 ZJGallacher 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.
The one player I never mentioned on the better side of the draw was the eventual winner!
So G-Mac delivered in Paris and is now breathing down the neck of Luke Donald in the World Points List. Funny how the better players start to come to the boil as we move through summer! In the States there were no significant changes. With the Scottish Open featuring a high quality field this week including Donald, Poulter, Westwood, Molinari, Jiminez and Luiten; expect some significant changes in the week prior to the Open Championship. Both events will be key to qualification across both sides of the pond.
Interesting at Congressional last week that Patrick Reed blew his chance to seal his Ryder Cup spot. Led through 36 to 54 holes; will he regret that missed chance? Chris Kirk and Brendon Todd (who continues to play top golf) are closing in on those Top 9 positions. Na, Simpson, Bradley, Woodland, Haas and Holmes all in-action this week in West Virginia.
Over in Paris defending champion Graeme McDowell could do with a strong result to boost his automatic qualifying chances. His record of defending titles though leaves a little to be desired. Thomas Bjorn is still playing excellent golf and a win this week at a tough Le Golf National course that will suit him will ensure he qualifies. Francesco Molinari seriously needs a win as well. From the 2012 European Team Paul Lawrie, Peter Hanson and Nicholas Colsaerts won’t make it (unless they find something incredible) and Francesco’s spot is seriously doubtful as well, unless he starts to rack up wins and Top 3s.