Selection for a Ryder Cup team is rarely without drama.<\/p>\n
But this year\u2019s Team USA had an added drama all of its own.<\/p>\n
Because the captain, Keegan Bradley, had to decide whether or not to pick himself.<\/p>\n
His decision? Bradley decided to concentrate on being captain.<\/p>\n
A tough decision, no doubt, but how do the 12 players he does have on his team rate from strongest to weakest?<\/p>\n
Team USA players ranked from strongest to weakest:
\n1. Patrick Cantlay (Ryder Cup record W-L-H) (5-2-1)<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is where he thrives,\u201d Bradley said of his pick, and then he added: \u201cWe need him.\u201d His record in both the Ryder and Presidents Cup is a superb 15 wins, six losses and one half. He\u2019s feisty, tough to knock off his game, and he brings the highest quality.<\/p>\n
In Rome, he became the bad boy, but it didn\u2019t faze him. Not remotely. The media were pestering him, his Saturday evening match became testy, the galleries were waving their hats at him, mocking his perceived greed, but Cantlay didn\u2019t blink. He\u2019ll be tough to beat. Very tough.<\/p>\n
2. Scottie Scheffler (2-2-3)<\/p>\n
The world number one, but he suffered a difficult second Ryder Cup in Rome. On debut at Whistling Straits in 202,1, he had won two and lost one of his matches in Team USA\u2019s thumping of the Europeans.<\/p>\n
But in Rome, he was sent out first with his best friend Sam Burn, and they got thrashed 4-and-3. It got worse on Saturday morning when he and Brooks Koepka lost 9-and-7. A half with Jon Rahm somewhat made up for the disappointment.<\/p>\n
He was actually pushed to tears on Saturday afternoon after that second defeat, and it must be a concern that he has lost both the foursomes he has played. But he\u2019s the best player in the world, and he has won the WGC World Match Play. He\u2019s due for a great week at the Ryder Cup.<\/p>\n
3. Justin Thomas (7-4-2)<\/p>\n
No one on Team USA has played more Ryder Cup golf than the Kentucky man, and it is perhaps no surprise that Captain Bradley made him his very first pick. Moreover, it was not just his Ryder Cup experience that prompted his wildcard \u2013 he was also seventh in the ranking, so he is in form.<\/p>\n
Bradley said he is \u201cborn to play Ryder Cup\u201d, and he has been exceptional in the singles, winning all three he has played. He\u2019s only 2-3-0 in foursomes, but he is 2-1-2 in fourballs.<\/p>\n
4. Xander Schauffele (4-4-0)<\/p>\n
Talk about a flip-flop. The Californians\u2019 debut at Whistling Straits was great (3-1-0), but in Rome it was the exact opposite (1-3-0). He should be a much stronger competitor this September, not just on home soil but also on a US major championship-standard golf course, because he has 14 top 10s in 18 nomadic US majors. These are the courses he understands.<\/p>\n
5. Bryson DeChambeau (2-3-1)<\/p>\n
True, he has a Ryder Cup record he would wish to change. True, he has played two foursomes and lost both. True, he is LIV, not the PGA Tour. But after the Open, he was asked about this Ryder Cu, and his eyes narrowed.<\/p>\n
He was fired up, and those present knew it. \u201cHe\u2019s gone above and beyond to become a part of this team,\u201d Bradley said. The New York galleries are likely to love him.<\/p>\n
6. Cameron Young (debut)<\/p>\n
\u201cHe won the State Amateur at Bethpage Black and set a course record there,\u201d said Bradley. \u201cWe\u2019re very proud to have a New Yorker on the side this year.\u201d He\u2019ll be making his Ryder Cup debut, but his best golf is superb (six top 10s in the majors), and this year he has become a gun putter as well as a superb driver.<\/p>\n
7. Ben Griffin (debut)<\/p>\n
\u201cAn extremely confident player,\u201d said his captain when revealing his pick, adding: \u201cI\u2019m really proud of him and, of his two wins this year, one (the Zurich Classic of New Orleans) was the same format as the Ryder Cup (a mix of foursomes and fourballs).\u201d<\/p>\n
His story is sensational. He gave up his tour golf, got himself a desk job, but he was then gifted financial support to have a second try and has risen through the ranks quickly since. Pure golfing Fairytale of New York.<\/p>\n
8. Sam Burns (1-2-0)<\/p>\n
\u201cIncredibly passionate,\u201d said Bradley when picking him, adding: \u201cAnd the best putter on the planet with a lot of fire in his belly.\u201d<\/p>\n
He is reputed to remain bitter about being left off a Walker Cup team, so he will be thrilled by this pick, and he\u2019s a former winner of the WGC World Match Play.<\/p>\n
9. Harris English (1-2-0)<\/p>\n
It\u2019s easy to overlook him, but it might be foolhardy. His captain stressed that he is not only mentally tough, but he also: \u201cHe plays tough golf courses so well.\u201d He is a three-time top 10 finisher in the US Open, and Bethpage is a US Open host.<\/p>\n
10. JJ Spaun (debut)<\/p>\n
How good has his year been? He was a journeyman in January. A few weeks late, he lost a play-off in the Players\u2019 Championship. Some thought that was his last shot at glory. But in June, he won the US Open. This is another step up entirely, but he\u2019ll be looking forward to it.<\/p>\n
11. Collin Morikawa (4-3-1)<\/p>\n
On debut at Whistling Straits, Morikawa was gun, winning three matches and halving his fourth. Simple maths reveals, therefore, that his second match was less impressive: he won one and lost three in Rome.<\/p>\n
Notably, he has been a decent partner, holding a 2-1-0 record in both foursomes and fourballs. Poor short game stats this year are a worry.<\/p>\n
12. Russell Henley (debut)<\/p>\n
Bottom ranking, which is a little unlikely, but someone has to be lowly. Henley qualified by right, which says so much, but he\u2019s unlikely to frighten the Europeans.<\/p>\n
He\u2019s no mug, however. He\u2019s made four top 10s in the last six majors, and he won the Palmer Invitational in March.<\/p>\n