This could be the most hotly contested Ryder Cup ever – and we’re talking about just making the team.
So, each Monday, GolfChannel.com will take a way-too-early look at the players who are vying for one of the 12 spots on the team. Nine players make their squad via their respective points list, and both captain Tom Watson and Paul McGinley will have three wild-card picks apiece.
AMERICANS
The current top 12:
1. Bubba Watson, 6,258
2. Jimmy Walker, 4,459
3. Dustin Johnson, 3,759
4. Jordan Spieth, 3,437
5. Patrick Reed, 3,023
6. Matt Kuchar, 2,881
7. Jason Dufner, 2,668
8. Phil Mickelson, 2,662
9. Harris English, 2,646
10. Zach Johnson, 2,584
11. Chris Kirk, 2,254
12. Webb Simpson, 2,214
Notes:
• Bubba Watson won the Masters on Sunday, and he also locked up a spot on the U.S. Ryder Cup team (majors award double points). Skipper Tom Watson tweeted as much afterward:
Way to go Bubba !!! Enjoy your victory. See you on the plane to Gleneagles
— Tom Watson (@TomWatsonPGA) April 13, 2014
• Jordan Spieth tied for second at Augusta and boosted his hopes of playing on the Ryder Cup team, moving from No. 14 to No. 4 on the list. The 20-year-old was a captain’s pick for last year’s Presidents Cup.
• Matt Kuchar’s recent steady play – tie for fourth in San Antonio; playoff loss in Houston; tie for fifth at Masters – has vaulted him from No. 10 to No. 6 on the list.
• Other notable moves: Rickie Fowler (23rd to 15th) after matching his best major performance and Phil Mickelson (sixth to eighth) after missing only his second Masters cut.
• This week’s Where is Tiger? update: Holding steady at No. 45.
EUROPEANS
European Points List (top 4 qualify):
1. Victor Dubuisson, 2,297,434
2. Jamie Donaldson, 2,165,473
3. Thomas Bjorn, 1,932,606
4. Henrik Stenson, 1,718,866
5. Ian Poulter, 1,688,388
6. Joost Luiten, 1,300,177
7. Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano, 1,254,874
8. Sergio Garcia, 1,186,966
9. Miguel Angel Jimenez, 1,164,953
10. Justin Rose, 995,704
World Points List (top 5):
1. Henrik Stenson, 275
2. Sergio Garcia, 203
3. Rory McIlroy, 157
4. Thomas Bjorn, 154
5. Victor Dubuisson, 150
6. Jamie Donaldson, 140
7. Ian Poulter, 122
8. Justin Rose, 102
9. Luke Donald, 100
10. Miguel Angel Jimenez, 99
Notes:
• Thomas Bjorn has experienced a renaissance at age 43, and he continued his good form with a T-8 at the Masters. He is ranked 25th in the world.
• Miguel Angel Jimenez may be Champions Tour-eligible, but he’s clinging to hopes that he will be at Gleneagles – as a player. He’s in the top 10 on both points lists, after his fourth-place finish at Augusta.
• Jonas Blixt, who tied for second at the Masters in his debut, is ranked 15th and 16th on the European Points List and World Points List, respectively.
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