7/24/25
The Ryder Cup is quickly approaching, and players have limited opportunities to improve their ranking. There has been some more shuffling in the top 15 of both teams, with some players making a late charge to be either a captain’s pick or automatically qualify. The top six players are in bold, representing the six automatic qualifiers.
Team Europe
Captain: Luke Donald
Vice Captains: Edoardo Molinari, Thomas Bjørn, José Maria Olazabal, Francesco Molinari
The top six players after the completion of the Betfred British Masters, which ends on August 24, will qualify for this year’s Ryder Cup.
- Rory McIlroy (Qualified)
- Robert MacIntyre
- Tommy Fleetwood
- Tyrrell Hatton
- Shane Lowry
- Sepp Straka
- Rasmus Højgaard
- Justin Rose
- Ludvig Åberg
- Viktor Hovland
- Thomas Detry
- Matt Wallace
- Matt Fitzpatrick
- Jordan Smith
- Niklas Norgaard
Things in the top six have been pretty stable, with minimal movement among the top players. The European team seems to have its top guys set, unless someone in the next six players rattles off at least one win. The captain’s picks will be fascinating. Matt Fitzpatrick has been playing very good golf lately after a lackluster season, and rose nine spots after his top-five finish at The Open last week. Justin Rose brings a veteran presence that Team Europe always tends to have. Jon Rahm isn’t in the top 20 but will be on the team as a captain’s pick. Viktor Hovland and Ludvig Åberg were dynamic in Rome and are in a prime position to run it back. That would leave one spot for Rasmus Højgaard, Thomas Detry, Matt Wallace, and others to fight for. Højgaard would be the choice based on the standings, but the European’s always have a thorough plan and will look at all options before selecting the final player.
Team USA
Captain: Keegan Bradley
Vice Captains: Jim Furyk, Kevin Kisner, Webb Simpson, Brandt Snedeker, Gary Woodland
The top six players after the BMW Championship concludes on August 17 will automatically qualify for the Ryder Cup.
- Scottie Scheffler (Qualified)
- Xander Schauffele
- J.J. Spaun
- Russell Henley
- Bryson DeChambeau
- Harris English
- Justin Thomas
- Collin Morikawa
- Ben Griffin
- Keegan Bradley
- Mavrick McNealy
- Brian Harman
- Andrew Novak
- Patrick Cantlay
- Sam Burns
The top five players have remained consistent since J.J. Spaun’s U.S. Open victory. Harris English is making a run at automatically qualifying for the team after his solo second-place finish at The Open. English also had a T-2 finish at the PGA Championship and was part of the victorious 2021 Ryder Cup team. The captain’s picks are highly debatable. Justin Thomas has had an up-and-down year, but should be secure on the team. Collin Morikawa has found himself in a rough patch, making his spot feel less and less secure. Ben Griffin has been great in the spring and early portion of the summer, but has cooled off. Captain Keegan Bradley could be a playing captain, and with how he’s played this year, it would be hard for him to leave himself off the team. One player not in the top 15 is Chris Gotterup, who’s flown up the standings after his win at the Scottish Open and stellar performance at The Open. Gotterup would need to rely on a captain’s pick, but could be the last man on the team with a good effort.
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