US Ryder Cup captain Zach Johnson has the unenviable task of making six picks before the event in September, but has Fred Couples just revealed three of them?
A game golf fans like playing in the lead-up to the Ryder Cup is predicting the European and American line-ups.
But US vice-captain Fred Couples might have given the game away by appearing to reveal three players set to be chosen in September who don’t currently hold one of the top six automatic spots.
During The Fred Couples Show, part of Sirius XM PGA Tour Radio, co-host George Downing listed some players who could future in Rome, and Couples gave these responses:
Downing: Here are the guys that are not confirmed and need to make a case. No. 7 – Max Homa.
Couples: I’m like one of the 19 assistants. I’ll say Max Homa’s going to be in Italy, without getting anyone in trouble.
Downing: Cam Young?
Couples: Cam Young will be in Italy.
Downing: Jordan Spieth?
Couples: Will be in Italy.
Downing: Keegan Bradley?
Couples: The rest is – I’m stopping.
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Homa, Young, and Spieth occupy places seven, eight, and nine in the US Ryder Cup standings.
Scottie Scheffler has already been confirmed as a US player. Wyndham Clark, Brian Harman, Brooks Koepka, Xander Schauffele, and Patrick Cantlay occupy the rest of the top spots.
If what Couples says is accurate, that leaves captain Zach Johnson with three more picks on a competitive list featuring Bradley, Collin Morikawa, Rickie Fowler, Sam Burns, and Justin Thomas.
Thomas missed his fourth cut in his last six events at The Open and has entered the 3M Open and the Wyndham Championship in pursuit of a third consecutive appearance for Team USA.
Couples is one of four vice-captains looking to help Johnson to victory in Rome. Davis Love III, Steve Stricker, and Jim Furyk are also part of his staff with one more vice-captain left to be appointed.
Here’s what Couples said about two-time PGA Champion Thomas:
“I’m glad he’s playing this week. The whole world knows that JT’s got to go to, is it Minnesota, and then Greensboro? He’s got to go to those places and play well.”
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NOW READ: 2023 Ryder Cup standings: Who is leading the points-based lists?
