Group USA captain Jim Furyk has made his captain’s picks for this yr’s Presidents Cup, scheduled for Sept. 26-29 on the Royal Montreal Golf Membership in Canada.
Equally structured to final yr’s Ryder Cup choice course of, Furyk had six picks to make, whereas six gamers had already certified for the American staff: Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele, Collin Morikawa, Wyndham Clark, Patrick Cantlay, and Sahith Theegala.
The most important query surrounding this yr’s captain picks revolved round Keegan Bradley, who will lead the American Ryder Cup staff subsequent yr at Bethpage. Ought to Bradley play? Or ought to he function a vice-captain in Montreal? In any case, Bradley serving as Furyk’s right-hand man may pay dividends on Lengthy Island in 2025.
That mentioned, Bradley has performed some terrific golf recently. After being the final participant within the discipline at Fort Pines, Bradley went from worst to first and received the BMW Championship in Colorado two weeks in the past. He’s additionally ranked thirteenth within the Official World Golf Rankings and made it to the Tour Championship, proving he is among the sport’s high gamers regardless of being older than different high stars.
Therefore, Furyk’s determination to go together with Bradley, because of his latest performances.
American Group Automated Qualifiers:
1. Scottie Scheffler
2. Xander Schauffele
3. Collin Morikawa
4. Wyndham Clark
5. Patrick Cantlay
6. Sahith Theegala
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American Group Captain’s Picks:
1. Sam Burns
2. Tony Finau
3. Russell Henley
4. Keegan Bradley
5. Brian Harman
6. Max Homa
Furyk went straight chalk for his captain’s picks, deciding on these ranked seventh by way of twelfth within the ultimate standings to affix Group USA in Montreal.
As such, Bradley’s inclusion implies that Furyk left just a few different gamers off the staff.
Justin Thomas, who made final yr’s Ryder Cup staff regardless of having a poor 2023 marketing campaign, is not going to signify the Stars and Stripes at this yr’s Presidents Cup. Thomas even made his approach to Atlanta for the Tour Championship, demonstrating that his type had improved from a yr in the past. However he completed the season ranked nineteenth within the Group USA Presidents Cup rankings, giving Furyk cause to go him by.
One other participant Furyk may have chosen was Akshay Bhatia, who received the Valero Texas Open earlier this yr and put forth a powerful 2024 season. Bhatia made it to the Tour Championship for the primary time however ended the season ranked 14th within the Presidents Cup standings. However, the 22-year-old Bhatia will make loads of nationwide groups sooner or later as he has loads of potential.
Jack Milko is a golf employees author for SB Nation’s Taking part in Via. You’ll want to take a look at @_PlayingThrough for extra golf protection. You possibly can comply with him on Twitter @jack_milko as properly.