As the major championship season reaches its midpoint, the Ryder Cup is now just four months away. The final rosters for both teams are far from set, with captains Luke Donald and Keegan Bradley carefully evaluating players before making their crucial selections.
While Bradley continues to perform well and move up the U.S. standings, Donald recently followed his appearance at the PGA Championship with a scouting visit to Bethpage Black Course in Farmingdale, New York, the venue for the September 26-28 Ryder Cup.
“I`m going to have a quick look,” Donald commented regarding his visit.
The top six players in each team`s points standings will automatically qualify for a spot, with Bradley and Donald each having six captain`s picks to round out their twelve-man squads.
Here is a look at the current state of affairs for both the United States and European teams.
U.S. Team Outlook
Likely Locks for the Team
Scottie Scheffler
The world number one recently secured his third major championship title at the PGA Championship, returning to a dominant level of play. Scheffler will be aiming for a stronger performance after going 0-2-2 in the U.S. team`s 16 ½-11 ½ defeat at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club in 2023. Notably, Scheffler and Brooks Koepka suffered the largest margin of defeat in an 18-hole Ryder Cup match, losing 9 & 7 to Ludvig Åberg and Viktor Hovland, a result that left Scheffler visibly emotional.
Scheffler`s combination of driving distance and accuracy should be a significant asset at Bethpage Black, complemented by his elite iron play. As a rookie at Whistling Straits in 2021, another lengthy course, he posted a strong 2-0-1 record in the U.S. team`s decisive 19-9 victory.
Xander Schauffele
Schauffele claimed two major championships last year and is showing good form again after recovering from a rib injury earlier in the season. His two previous Ryder Cup outings produced contrasting results: a 3-1-0 record at Whistling Straits was followed by a 1-3 performance in Rome two years later. Despite the latter, he remains one of the world`s top golfers and a certain pick.
Bryson DeChambeau
Few professional golfers can match DeChambeau`s power off the tee. He has been a consistent contender in majors recently, finishing in the mix in five of the last six. He won his second U.S. Open title at Pinehurst No. 2 last year and was in the final group at the Masters in April. Furthermore, his putting, often overlooked, is a strength.
After a challenging 0-3 debut in Paris in 2018, DeChambeau rebounded with a 2-0-1 record at Whistling Straits. Omitting him from the 2023 team was likely a misstep. He is expected to be a fan favorite at Bethpage Black and will bring significant energy to the American team room.
Justin Thomas
Thomas experienced a significant slump in form for two years but has shown signs of recovery, including a victory at the RBC Heritage on April 20. While his recent major performances (missed cut at the PGA Championship) have been surprising, he is expected to make the team if his game remains on an upward trend.
Thomas is a key player for the U.S. in team formats, holding a 7-4-2 record across three appearances. His selection for Rome in 2023 was debated, resulting in a 1-2-1 record, though many U.S. players struggled that weekend.
Collin Morikawa
Morikawa`s Ryder Cup journey mirrors Schauffele`s, with a 3-0-1 record at Whistling Straits and a 1-3 record at Marco Simone. The two-time major winner hasn`t lifted a trophy since October 2023 but is currently playing well enough to potentially add a win before the Ryder Cup. His iron play is once again world-class, ranking high in strokes gained metrics. Morikawa`s game is versatile and complements many potential partners on the team.
Strong Candidates for the Team
Patrick Cantlay
Cantlay`s last victory on tour was the BMW Championship in August 2022. In 2024, he finished in the top 25 in three out of four majors but missed the cut at both the Masters and the PGA Championship.
Despite recent win form, Cantlay is a seasoned Ryder Cup participant and performed relatively well in the last two events, going 3-0-1 at Whistling Straits and 2-2 in Rome. He faced scrutiny from European fans in Rome regarding the `hatgate` discussion but remained composed. His overall Ryder Cup record is 5-2-1, alongside a strong 10-4 record in Presidents Cups. Captain Bradley is unlikely to pass up such experience and a solid team play record.
Russell Henley
Henley is known for his exceptional iron play and strong putting when at his best. While not a long hitter, his precision is valuable. He claimed his fifth PGA Tour win at the Arnold Palmer Invitational on March 9 but subsequently missed cuts at the Masters and PGA Championship.
Henley had a successful Presidents Cup in 2023, going 3-1. He paired effectively with Scheffler, winning two out of three matches, suggesting a potential pairing at Bethpage Black.
Players In Contention
Brooks Koepka
The five-time major champion`s performance outside of the LIV Golf League has been inconsistent over the past two seasons, missing the top 25 in his last seven major starts. Nevertheless, he brings considerable Ryder Cup experience with a 7-6-2 record and won the 2019 PGA Championship at Bethpage Black Course.
Harris English
English secured his fifth PGA Tour win at the Farmers Insurance Open in January and demonstrated strong form in the last two majors, finishing tied for 12th at the Masters and runner-up at the PGA Championship. The 35-year-old possesses sufficient length off the tee and is recognized as one of the tour`s top putters. He posted a 1-2-0 record as a Ryder Cup rookie in 2021.
Jordan Spieth
Spieth`s struggles last season can likely be attributed to a painful wrist injury that required surgery. Recent signs indicate a potential return to form, including a tie for fourth at the WM Phoenix Open and 14th at the Masters. He missed the cut at Quail Hollow, where he was attempting a career Grand Slam. Despite a modest performance in Rome, his career Ryder Cup record stands at 8-9-5. His experience makes it hard to imagine Captain Bradley leaving him off the team.
Brian Harman
Harman earned his fourth tour victory at the Valero Texas Open on April 6. Some may argue Bethpage Black is too long for his game, but he is an excellent putter and had a successful match-play career as an amateur. The pairing of Homa and Harman was one of the few positives for the U.S. team in Rome.
Maverick McNealy
The former Stanford standout claimed his maiden PGA Tour win at the RSM Classic in November. This season, he has achieved a runner-up finish at the Genesis Invitational and tied for third at both the Valero Texas Open and RBC Heritage. The 29-year-old would be a Ryder Cup newcomer but has prior team experience from the Arnold Palmer Cup and Walker Cup.
Keegan Bradley
Bradley has stated he would need to be among the top six automatic qualifiers to consider being a playing captain. If other American players don`t step up their performance, Bradley might face pressure to use a captain`s pick on himself. The 38-year-old has had a solid start to the season with six top-25 finishes and a T-8 at the PGA Championship. This situation would be ironic given Bradley was a controversial omission by captain Zach Johnson in 2023.
Daniel Berger
Berger hasn`t won in over four years after being sidelined by a severe back injury for extended periods. He has made appearances on leaderboards this year and was part of the victorious 2021 Ryder Cup team.
Max Homa
Homa has faced difficulties with his game over the past year, but appears to be finding form again. He tied for 12th at the Masters and played better at the PGA Championship than his tied for 60th finish suggests. He was the top performer for the U.S. team in Rome, earning 3 ½ points with a 3-1-1 record, and holds a 5-2 record in two Presidents Cup appearances.
Other Names to Watch
- Andrew Novak
- Sam Burns
- J.J. Spaun
- Wyndham Clark
- Michael Kim
- Tony Finau
- Lucas Glover
- Denny McCarthy
- Ben Griffin
- J.T. Poston
- Davis Riley
European Team Outlook
Likely Locks for the Team
Rory McIlroy
Following his Masters victory, the recent form of the Masters champion at the PGA Championship (T47) wasn`t a strong follow-up for a second consecutive major run. However, he has already enjoyed a standout season with wins at Pebble Beach and the Players Championship, placing him comfortably atop Europe`s Ryder Cup standings. Regardless of recent results, McIlroy is undoubtedly the leader and premier player for the European team. With a record of 16-13-4 in the event, he has publicly stated that winning an away Ryder Cup is a key career goal, an opportunity he will pursue in New York this September.
Jon Rahm
Jon Rahm had a notable week at the PGA Championship. Despite a challenging finish, Rahm was a strong contender, sharing the lead on the back nine of a major for the first time since his 2023 Masters win. The experience, while ending in disappointment, revitalized Rahm, who expressed enjoyment at being back in the mix. Although he deferred questions about his Ryder Cup status to Captain Luke Donald (currently 24th in the European standings), it is widely expected that Donald will select the three-time participant for the team.
Strong Candidates for the Team
Ludvig Aberg
Ludvig Aberg`s inclusion on the European team in Rome was surprising primarily due to his youth and lack of prior team experience. In hindsight, Captain Donald`s choice proved insightful and foreshadowed Aberg`s rapid ascent. He is now considered one of the world`s elite players. Despite a difficult week at Quail Hollow and a recent dip in results, there is little doubt about Aberg`s place on the team, especially after securing a victory earlier this year.
Sepp Straka
Perhaps the biggest surprise of the week was Sepp Straka, who missed the cut at the PGA Championship despite winning the Truist Championship just prior (his second win of the year on the PGA Tour). Fatigue might have contributed to his performance, having played 15 events already this season. While he has now missed cuts in both majors this year, Straka is virtually guaranteed a spot based on his high position in the standings (5th) and his experience on the winning team in Rome.
Shane Lowry
Ranked among the top 15 in the Official World Golf Ranking, Shane Lowry is not a complete certainty in May only because players like Rahm and McIlroy occupy a distinct top tier. The Irishman competed well at the Masters before a tough final round and missed the cut at this year`s PGA Championship. However, Lowry`s overall play has remained consistent, featuring four top-10 finishes this season, including a second-place result behind McIlroy at the Pebble Beach Pro-Am. Their successful pairing at the Zurich Classic suggests they are likely to play together at Bethpage.
Tyrrell Hatton
Tyrrell Hatton`s move to LIV Golf hasn`t significantly impacted his strong form, placing him as high as fourth in the European Cup standings. At Marco Simone, Hatton was a dominant force, achieving a 3-0-1 record and defeating Brian Harman in the Sunday singles. It would require a substantial decline in form for him to miss this team.
Viktor Hovland
Viktor Hovland`s journey over the past year has been fascinating. While his swing continues to be a focus, he came close to winning last year`s PGA Championship and won the Valspar Championship this season, remarkably following three consecutive missed cuts. Hovland`s occasional inconsistency places him 12th in the current standings, but similar to Aberg, his inclusion in blue and gold come September is highly anticipated.
Tommy Fleetwood
Tommy Fleetwood might not hold a major title, but he is undoubtedly one of golf`s steadiest performers. He has not missed a cut all season and has recorded three top-10 finishes while still pursuing his first PGA Tour victory. Ranked in the top 15 in the OWGR (and 7th in Ryder Cup standings), Fleetwood`s place on the team seems secure barring unforeseen circumstances.
Players In Contention
Justin Rose
Many believed Marco Simone would likely be Justin Rose`s final Ryder Cup appearance. That assumption may be premature. Not only did Rose contend at the Masters, but he has also accumulated three top-10 finishes this season, demonstrating remarkable sustained performance. He should not be counted out.
Rasmus Hojgaard
The 24-year-old Rasmus Hojgaard benefits from his selection to the team last year at a young age, similar to Aberg. However, he has only one top-10 finish this season, which came alongside his brother Nicolai at the Zurich Classic. The potential to continue integrating young talent into the Ryder Cup team, rather than opting for more experienced players, remains a consideration.
Robert MacIntyre
Robert MacIntyre`s situation is similar, having debuted in the last Ryder Cup. While some viewed him as a potential weak link in Rome, he performed admirably with a 2-0-1 record. He is currently ranked 15th in the standings.
Thomas Detry
Thomas Detry entered the Ryder Cup conversation after winning the WM Phoenix Open this year and has climbed to 9th place in the European team standings. However, his performance in the majors (two missed cuts) hasn`t been ideal, and he will likely need to show improved consistency over the coming months to solidify his case for a captain`s pick.
Other Names to Watch
- Aaron Rai
- Stephan Jaeger
- Nicolai Hojgaard
- Alex Noren
