With the Ryder Cup roughly two months away, the picture for Team USA is sharpening while still leaving room for late shifts. The current read: nine Americans look close to automatic selections, but the remaining spots are very much in play as the FedExCup Playoffs unfold.
The word “lock” is often used too freely in Ryder Cup chatter, and this cycle is a reminder of how quickly things can change. As recently as late April, Ben Griffin and Chris Gotterup weren’t on most shortlists. Now, both have built credible cases to be picked if their momentum holds. Expect more movement in the coming weeks—form is volatile, and the selection window still has meaningful events to weigh.
The most scrutinized storyline remains Keegan Bradley’s dual role. The sensible approach is patience: let the results through at least the BMW Championship guide the conversation. If Bradley proves, on form, he is one of the 12 best American options, he should play. If he does, he should have as few in-the-moment captain responsibilities as possible to avoid the split-focus pitfalls that can undermine performance. The current media noise around this topic is outsized relative to the timeline—there’s room for clarity without the panic.
A bolder call sits with Collin Morikawa. If his next few starts are rough, it would be defensible to leave him off despite his world ranking. He looked out of sorts at Royal Portrush and hasn’t posted a signature result since April beyond a T-14 at the Masters. Realistically, he remains close to lock status today, but the bar for a pick on a deep U.S. team should be high—and recent form carries added weight given the match-play demands and course fit.
Justin Thomas presents a related dilemma. Concerns about his driver create questions for foursomes (alternate shot), where accuracy off the tee is at a premium. It’s plausible the U.S. effort could hinge on the captain’s willingness to sit at least one of Morikawa or Thomas for large stretches if their current profiles don’t tighten up by selection week.
On the positive side of the ledger, Cameron Young is moving decisively toward must-pick territory. An uptick in putting this season combined with a return to elite ball striking since May has produced two T-4s and a win in his last six starts. He’s trending like a playoff difference-maker and is a legitimate threat to contend immediately in Memphis. That skill mix translates well to both four-ball and foursomes, especially given the likely demands at Bethpage.
The bottom tier shouldn’t be dismissed, either. Brian Harman could easily pop with a sharp week in Memphis. Wyndham Clark, meanwhile, has quietly stacked four solid finishes in his last five starts, an encouraging pulse at the right time. If no one from that group kicks the door down before selections, the final roster probably comes from the top four tiers—but golf has a way of scrambling neat projections late.
Why patience—and recent form—matter: Bethpage Black is expected to reward powerful, accurate driving and stout mid-to-long iron play, while penalizing errant tee shots. Foursomes amplifies those pressures. Bench decisions aren’t indictments of a player’s stature so much as tactical choices to fit the course and format. The U.S. has enough depth to optimize pairings without forcing square pegs into round holes.
Additional comments that add value:
– Selection lens to watch over the next three starts:
– Strokes Gained: Off-the-Tee and Approach for foursomes readiness.
– Birdie rate and putting form for four-ball impact.
– Driving accuracy under pressure—especially for players vying for alternate-shot time.
– Pairing synergy will matter as much as star power. Players with complementary shot shapes, tee order fit, and temperament can swing a session.
– Rising candidates like Griffin and Gotterup underscore the depth of the pipeline. If they continue trending, the U.S. can lean into form without sacrificing ceiling.
A hopeful outlook for Team USA: the depth chart is a genuine asset. Several players are peaking, a few more can surge in the playoffs, and the captain has multiple pathways to tailor a roster and pairings that suit Bethpage. Hard decisions—up to and including benching big names—are a feature, not a flaw, of a well-run team.
Summary: Team USA currently has about nine near-automatic picks, with the final slots hinging on playoff form. Patience is advised on the Keegan Bradley player-captain debate until after the BMW Championship, and both Collin Morikawa and Justin Thomas could see their roles reduced if driving and overall form don’t rebound soon. Cameron Young’s surge strengthens the top end, while Brian Harman and Wyndham Clark are positioned to make late statements. Depth and flexibility remain the U.S. team’s biggest advantages heading into Bethpage.