The BMW Championship hasn’t changed anything in the United States team standings for the Ryder Cup. Or almost nothing. The Maryland event was the last one valid to earn the necessary points for a direct spot in Bethpage. With Scottie Scheffler, JJ Spaun, Xander Schauffele, and Russell Henley (barring an almost inconceivable fluke) already qualified before the BMW, it remained to be seen which players would take the last two spots.
The fifth was Bryson DeChambeau, who had the handicap of not being able to earn points this week, and the sixth was Harris English. Well, those two have finally secured their spots. There was no sorpasso. The only change is that English moved up to fifth and DeChambeau dropped to sixth. It’s quite an achievement for Bryson, as he only earned points in the Majors.
In this regard, the main disappointment this week was Justin Thomas. He arrived in seventh place and needed to finish among the top thirteen at the Caves Valley Golf Club to surpass DeChambeau. However, he didn’t even come close to that goal. He finished 33rd with a poor final round of 74 strokes. Collin Morikawa and Ben Griffin also had mathematical chances, although much more demanding. Their 33rd and 12th places were insufficient. In any case, few doubt that these three will be in Bethpage. However, they will have to be chosen by the captain.
The mystery of the six players automatically qualified for New York is now resolved, and it remains to be seen which other six players will be chosen by captain Keegan Bradley. It will be announced after the Tour Championship, so East Lake will be the decider. Certainly, it’s a topic that’s currently very heated.
Maverick McNealy, third in the BMW Championship, is the one who comes out strongest this week. He has taken a giant step and his presence in New York can almost be considered certain. From there, two more spots remain. Cameron Young, one of the big favourites, didn’t have a bad tournament, finishing in eleventh place, but he hasn’t quite settled the debate with his name. He will need to perform well in Atlanta. Meanwhile, Sam Burns, fourth in the BMW Championship, has moved up in the predictions. His chemistry with Scottie Scheffler also works in his favour, although it didn’t go too well in Italy.
On the other hand, Keegan Bradley has lost ground to be chosen on his own after finishing in 17th place. It wasn’t a bad tournament, by any means, but to be chosen, it would have to be something much more indisputable. He will have to earn it at the Tour Championship. Surely, only winning the tournament will suffice. Meanwhile, Andrew Novak has taken a step back after a very bad week in Maryland, as has Brian Harman, who finished in 19th place. Similarly, Rickie Fowler will have to be ruled out. He played well in the BMW, but he missed out on the Tour Championship, so it seems impossible for him to make the final predictions.
The Tour Championship will be the decider. And then, Keegan Bradley.
