The roster is now finalized as the U.S. squad prepares to take on the Europeans at next month’s Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits Golf Course in Haven, Wisconsin.
There are few moments in professional golf when you’re relying on another person to do your bidding. None of these moments are as nerve-racking than awaiting a potential Ryder Cup pick. But the wait is over and the team is set as Steve Stricker announced his captain’s picks on Wednesday.
Who’s In?
Tony Finau
Arguably one of the most adored men in professional golf, there are very few people who don’t want to be around Tony Finau, which undoubtedly helped his chances getting selected to the American squad for a second time. With his play always regarded as steady, Finau’s form of late has been downright impressive, coming off a victory last month at the Northern Trust Open and finishing strong at the Tour Championship. Nice guys finish last? No, they finish atop the list of captain’s picks.
Daniel Berger
Don’t let the unorthodox golf swing of Daniel Berger fool you; this man is a stone cold competitor. Known by his fellow professionals as “Strait Vibin” a reference to the name of his fishing boat, Berger has notched eight top ten finishes this year and one victory, propelling him to 16th in the world. Berger, whose sole team event was the 2017 Presidents Cup, will look to solidify his place in the upper echelons of the game this October.
Scottie Scheffler
Big Scotty Scheffler is probably the least known of the captains picks, but his golf game is uber consistent, which is an attribute that goes a long way in a Ryder Cup. Scheffler has made an impressive 48 of 63 cuts in his career, and although he’s the only man on the U.S. team without a PGA Tour victory, his talent on the course is well regarded among his peers.
Jordan Spieth
Spieth was so confident he was going to be picked that he jokingly suggested Justin Thomas would quit the team otherwise. The three-time major winner and former FedExCup champion has already cemented himself a hall of fame career, but it hasn’t been without its challenges. After nearly four years without a PGA Tour victory, Spieth won the Texas Valero Open in April and never looked back, clinching nine top-10 finishes en route to a highly successful 2021.
Xander Schauffele
With a gold medal around his neck that’s still hot off the press from Tokyo, the fifth ranked golfer in the world was not going to be passed over by captain Steven Stricker. A Ryder Cup debutant who has contended at several majors over his career heads into the team event with four PGA Tour wins, proving time and again that he’s unafraid of big moments.
Harris English
Smooth swinging Harris English had himself a career season on the golf course, winning the year’s first event, Sentry Tournament of Champions, and then following it up with another victory at the Travellers Championship in June. English also came solo third at the U.S. Open and continued his sturdy play into the FedExCup playoffs. English will be making his first appearance in the Ryder Cup.
Who’s Getting Paired with Bryson?
Let’s face it, the U.S. team has its fair share of relationship issues heading into the Ryder Cup. Between Brooks and Bryson feuding endlessly, and others chiming in their not-so-helpful opinions on the matter, it will be interesting to see who gets paired with the fiery DeChambeau during the two-man matches.
Potential Picks
Harris English
English was paired with Bryson in Sunday’s last group of the WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational in early August and it didn’t go well. DeChambeau likely got the group put on the clock after they fell behind pace, which clearly bungled English’s rhythm and may have partially resulted in his losing the golf tournament. However, English then went on a podcast and defended Bryson from the bad press and fan heckling, taking responsibility for his poor play and praising DeChambeau’s talent. Could this have been a rapport-building moment? We’ll see.
Tony Finau
Perhaps the glow of Tony Finau’s saintly aura will shine brightly upon Bryson?
Scottie Scheffler
Unassuming, quiet, and not often in the headlines. In other words, the antithesis of Bryson. They say opposites attract, but do they play great alternate shot golf? What about four-ball? Let’s have Steve Stricker sort that out.
Colin Morikawa
Colin is cool, calm, collected, which may be the perfect counterbalance to Bryson’s style. He’s also one of the shorter drivers on tour, so it may make sense to spread around the ball speeds and pair him with DeChambeau during the alternate shot.