US Ryder Cup team: The eight automatic qualifiers

US Ryder Cup team: The eight automatic qualifiers

Eight of the 12-man American team which will defend the Ryder Cup were decided at the conclusion of the US PGA Championship on Sunday.

US captain Jim Furyk will name three wild cards on September 3 and his final one on September 9, but here Press Association Sport looks at the players who are assured of their place to face Europe at Le Golf National in Paris from September 28-30:

AUTOMATIC QUALIFIERS

BROOKS KOEPKA

Age 28

Caps 1 (2016)

Record Won 3 Lost 1 Halved 0

Majors 3 (US Open 2017, US Open 2018, US PGA 2018)

Since winning three points from four matches on his debut in 2016, Koepka became the first player since Curtis Strange in 1989 to win back-to-back US Open titles, following his victory at Erin Hills in 2017 with another at Shinnecock Hills in 2018. Also won his third major in six starts with a thrilling victory over Tiger Woods in the US PGA.

DUSTIN JOHNSON

US PGA Contenders
(Jane Barlow/PA)

Caps 3 (2010, 2012, 2016)

Record Won 6 Lost 5 Halved 0

Majors 1 (US Open 2016)

Finally claimed an overdue major title with victory in the 2016 US Open at Oakmont, despite being penalised a shot in the final round when he was adjudged to have caused his ball to move on the fifth green. Won just one of his four matches in 2010 but all three in 2012. Missed the 2014 contest at Gleneagles due to taking a “leave of absence” from the game. Won two of his four matches in 2016.

JUSTIN THOMAS

Age 25

Caps 0

Majors 1 (2017 US PGA)

Technically a rookie but also the 2017 PGA Tour player of the year after winning four times, including his first major title in the US PGA Championship. Second place to Xander Schauffele in the Tour Championship also secured the overall FedEx Cup title and Thomas has won twice more in 2018. Spent four weeks as world number one earlier this season.

PATRICK REED

41st Ryder Cup – Day Three – Hazeltine National Golf Club
(David Davies/PA)

Caps 2 (2014, 2016)

Record Won 6 Lost 1 Halved 2

Majors 1 (Masters 2018)

Caused controversy after his victory in the WGC-Cadillac Championship at Doral in 2014 by claiming he was one of the top five players in the world, but was unbeaten later that year at Gleneagles with three-and-a-half points from four matches. Also won three-and-a-half points at Hazeltine and crucially beat Rory McIlroy in an epic opening singles contest. Claimed his first major title in this year’s Masters.

BUBBA WATSON

Age 39

Caps 3 (2010, 2012, 2014)

Record Won 3 Lost 8 Halved 0

Majors 2 (2012 Masters, 2014 Masters)

The double Masters champion has a poor record in the Ryder Cup and was overlooked for a wild card in 2016, despite being ranked seventh in the world at the time. Was made a fifth vice-captain instead and made sure he would not miss out in 2018 thanks to three wins on the PGA Tour before the end of June.

JORDAN SPIETH

41st Ryder Cup – Practice Day Three – Hazeltine National Golf Club
(David Davies/PA)

Caps 2 (2014, 2016)

Record Won 4 Lost 3 Halved 2

Majors 3 (Masters 2015, US Open 2015, Open 2017)

Shot to fame by winning the 2013 John Deere Classic at the age of 19, becoming the first teenage winner on the PGA Tour since 1931. Won two-and-a-half points from three matches with fellow rookie Patrick Reed in 2014 and two and a half from their four together in 2016. Won the Masters and US Open in 2015 and the Open in 2017, but has not tasted victory since his triumph at Royal Birkdale.

RICKIE FOWLER

Age 29

Caps 3 (2010, 2014, 2016)

Record Won 2 Lost 4 Halved 5

Majors 0

Failed to win a match on either of his first two appearances, halving two and losing one in 2010 and then halving three matches alongside Jimmy Walker in 2014 before losing 5&4 to Victor Dubuisson and Graeme McDowell and being thrashed by the same score by Rory McIlroy in the singles. Won two of his three matches in 2016, including a crucial singles victory over Justin Rose.

WEBB SIMPSON

Golf – 40th Ryder Cup – Day One – Gleneagles
(Mike Egerton/PA)

Caps 2 (2012, 2014)

Record Won 2 Lost 3 Halved 1

Majors 1 (2012 US Open)

Arguably the biggest surprise qualifier, Simpson had been without a win since 2013 until cruising to victory in this year’s Players Championship, cruising to a dominant four-shot win at Sawgrass in May. Also finished 10th in the US Open and 12th in the Open at Carnoustie. Both of his Ryder Cup wins were 5&4 fourball victories with Bubba Watson at Medinah in 2012.

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