Has Fred Couples just revealed three Ryder Cup captain picks?
By Matt Chivers
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.”
What do you make of this Fred Couples Ryder Cup revelation? Tell us with a tweet!
NOW READ: 2023 Ryder Cup standings: Who is leading the points-based lists?
Matt Chivers
Now on the wrong side of 25, Matt has been playing golf since the age of 13 and was largely inspired to take up the game by countless family members who played golf during his childhood.
Matt is a member at Royal Cinque Ports in Deal playing off a 5 handicap, just a pitching wedge away from his hometown of Dover where he went to school and grew up. He has previously been a member at Etchinghill and Walmer and Kingsdown in Kent.
Having studied history at the University of Liverpool, Matt went on to pass his NCTJ Exams in Manchester a year later to fulfil his lifelong ambition of becoming a journalist. He picked up work experience along the way at places such as the Racing Post, the Independent, Sportsbeat and the Lancashire Evening Post.
Matt joined NCG in February 2023 and is the website’s main source of tour news, features and opinion. He has reported live from events such as The Open, the Ryder Cup and The Players Championship, having also interviewed and spent time with some of the biggest names in the sport.
Consuming tour golf on what is a 24/7 basis, you can come to Matt for informed views on the game and the latest updates on the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, LPGA Tour, Ladies European Tour and LIV Golf.
What’s in Matt’s bag: Cobra LTDx LS driver, Cobra LTDx 3-wood, TaylorMade P7MC irons, Ping Glide 4.0 wedges, Odyssey putter.
