The PGA Tour season culminates this week at the Tour Championship, where the FedEx Cup champion will be crowned at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta. In a significant format change, all 30 qualifying golfers, including world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, will begin the 72-hole tournament at even par, creating a true winner-take-all showdown.
Beyond the season-long title, the stakes are heightened by the approaching 45th Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black in New York. With the event just over a month away, the Tour Championship serves as the final audition for players hoping to make the U.S. team.
Six players have already secured their spots through automatic qualification: Scheffler, U.S. Open winner J.J. Spaun, two-time major champion Xander Schauffele, LIV Golf’s Bryson DeChambeau, and PGA Tour veterans Russell Henley and Harris English.
The remaining six spots are captain’s picks, to be announced by U.S. captain Keegan Bradley on August 27, just three days after the tournament concludes. This has fueled intense speculation, with the most prominent question being whether Bradley will select himself for the team.
The Captain’s Dilemma
Many argue that Bradley is one of the top 12 American golfers and deserves a spot. He is a fierce competitor who was notably left off the 2023 team that lost in Rome. Furthermore, having played at St. John’s, he is familiar with Bethpage Black, and his Northeast roots could energize the New York crowd. While his form dipped after winning the Travelers Championship, a tie for 17th at the BMW Championship secured his place at East Lake and signaled a potential resurgence.
However, a playing captaincy presents a unique challenge. Bradley himself initially stated he would not pick himself unless he qualified automatically, a position he has since reconsidered. The move would undoubtedly become the dominant storyline, placing immense pressure on his performance both as a player and a leader. As European star Rory McIlroy recently noted, the dual role is an extremely difficult, perhaps impossible, task. McIlroy revealed he turned down the chance to be a playing captain for Europe in 2027, believing the extensive responsibilities would prevent him from competing effectively.
Conversely, supporters of the move contend that much of a captain’s organizational work is completed before the event. With a team of experienced vice captains—including Jim Furyk, Gary Woodland, Kevin Kisner, Webb Simpson, and Brandt Snedeker—Bradley could delegate responsibilities once play begins.
Contenders for the Final Spots
Beyond Bradley, a handful of players are considered near-locks for selection. Despite inconsistent seasons, Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa, and Patrick Cantlay are widely expected to be chosen due to their extensive and successful Ryder Cup experience.
This leaves potentially three open positions. Cameron Young has built strong momentum with his first PGA Tour victory and possesses a power game well-suited for Bethpage Black. As a New York native, his inclusion would be a popular choice.
Other players making a strong case include former Open champion Brian Harman, a proven match-play competitor who won the Valero Texas Open in April. Sam Burns, who won the final WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play event in 2023, boasts an elite putting game that is invaluable in the Ryder Cup format. Maverick McNealy has also emerged as a serious contender, with a consistent season featuring ten top-25 finishes and a strong solo third performance at the BMW Championship.
Ultimately, the decisions will test the long-standing debate between prioritizing recent form versus proven Ryder Cup experience. While hot streaks are compelling, the unique pressure of match play often favors veterans who have navigated the intense atmosphere before. As the world’s best compete for the FedEx Cup, they are also making their final, decisive case for a coveted spot at Bethpage Black.
