The Ryder Cup is just over a month away, and fans can barely wait for the tee-off. Excitement mounts as the teams’ announcement approaches, even more so now that the first six qualifiers, three from each team, are officially known.
Scottie Scheffler for the American team and Rory McIlroy for the European side were the first to mathematically qualify. Scheffler achieved his qualifier in early June, following his victory at the Memorial Tournament, while McIlroy secured his spot after participating in the US Open.
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After completing the FedEx St. Jude Championship, the first tournament of the PGA Tour playoffs, four more players secured their spots on the team. JJ Spaun and Xander Schauffele among the Americans, and Justin Rose and Tommy Fleetwood among the Europeans.
Rose and Fleetwood are two Ryder Cup veterans with extraordinary performances under their belts. Schauffele will be making his third appearance in the event, while Spaun will be making his full debut wearing the red, white and blue.
Three direct spots remain to be filled on each team. On the American side, there’s a six-man race. Russell Henley, Bryson DeChambeau, and Harris English are currently hold spots Nos. 4-6, but Justin Thomas (seventh), Collin Morikawa (eighth), and Ben Griffin (10th) could overtake them, depending on what happens at the BMW Championship.
The players ranked 10th-13th — Keegan Bradley, Maverick McNealy, Andrew Novak and Brian Harman — also have a chance to crack the top six, but would need a strong finish, or even a title, at the BMW Championship.
The competition is just as tight on the European side. Robert MacIntyre (fourth), Tyrrell Hatton (fifth), and Sepp Straka (sixth) are just a few points ahead of Shane Lowry (seventh), Rasmus Højgaard (eighth), and Ludvig Aberg (ninth).
Straka and Hojgaard are in the worst situation: Straka will miss the BMW Championship due to a family matter, and Hojgaard will miss it because he failed to qualify. However, the Dane will have the opportunity to earn points in his homeland, as he will be playing in the DP World Tour’s Danish Golf Championship.
Once the final direct qualifiers have been determined, captains Bradley and Luke Donald must select the remaining six members of their teams. This will be another stage that is sure to keep all fans on the edge of their seats.
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