U.S. Ryder Cup captain Steve Stricker welcomed a half-dozen players to the Stars & Stripes fold August 29 at the end of play at the BMW Championship as the qualifying period for the U.S. team came to a close.
“I love the six guys we have right now,” Stricker told Golfweek at the time. “I love what I’m seeing, a lot of the guys playing well late in the season, a lot of guys in form right now.”
Five of the six – Collin Morikawa, Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, and Justin Thomas – already were assured spots on the team before the BMW Championship began. The sixth spot was secured by Patrick Cantlay, who beat DeChambeau in a six-hole playoff to win the BMW.
Wisconsin native and Ryder Cup captain Steve Stricker throws out the first pitch at a Brewers game in 2019 with a ball in one hand and the Ryder Cup in the other. (Photo: Michael McLoone/USA TODAY Sports)
On paper, Stricker’s automatics would make the U.S. the favorite, as all six are ranked in the top 10 in the Official World Golf Ranking; only Cantlay hasn’t won a major championship; and Johnson, Koepka and Thomas have reached No. 1 in the world.
On Wednesday morning Stricker made his six captain’s picks for the biennial event against Europe, held Sept. 24-26 at Whistling Straights in Wisconsin.
Get to know the players who will represent the U.S. at the Ryder Cup.
Editor’s note: OWGR based on Sept. 12, 2021 update.
Ryder Cup: Get to know Team Europe
Collin Morikawa
Age: 24
World rank: 3
Career record: 5 PGA Tour titles, including the 2020 PGA Championship and 2021 British Open.
Ryder Cup record: 0-0
In just his second major, Morikawa showed one and all he rises to the occasion on the game’s biggest stages. In the 2020 PGA at TPC Harding Park, he overcame a stampede of contenders, delivering the Drive Heard Round the World when he got home in one at the par-4 16th with a 293-yard poke and then knocked in the 7-footer for eagle. He also held off Jordan Spieth, Louis Oosthuizen and Jon Rahm in winning the 2021 British Open at Royal St. George’s. He’s won at Jack Nicklaus’ Muirfield Village and captured a WGC title. Great ball-striker who is only kept back by a faltering putter from time to time.
Collin Morikawa of the United States tees off on the first hole during the final round of the men’s individual stroke play of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Kasumigaseki Country Club. (Photo: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports)
Dustin Johnson
Age: 37
World rank: 2
Career record: 24 PGA Tour titles, including the 2016 U.S. Open and 2020 Masters. Also has won 6 World Golf Championships events, second only to Tiger Woods’ 18.
Ryder Cup record: 7-9-0.
Johnson hasn’t been his tour de force self in 2021, with only a victory on the European Tour added to his impressive resume after he won the FedEx Cup and four titles in 2020, including the Masters. His putter – well, a few putters – have baffled him all year and he’s rarely been able to generate any momentum. For weeks now he’s said he’s close. He got closer with a strong performance in the BMW Championship, finishing 20 under, and will defend his title in the FedEx Cup Playoffs finale in The Tour Championship. When he is on, very few can keep up with his power, touch, and demeanor.
Dustin Johnson looks on during a practice session ahead of the 42nd Ryder Cup at Le Golf National Course at Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, south-west of Paris on September 26, 2018. (Photo: Eric Feferberg/AFP)
Bryson DeChambeau
Age: 28
World rank: 7
Career record: 8 PGA Tour titles, including the 2020 U.S. Open.
Ryder Cup record: 0-3-0.
After bulking up heading into 2020, DeChambeau won three titles including the 2020 U.S. Open and 2021 Arnold Palmer Invitational and registered 10 top-10s in 19 starts. Not only was his length stunning, but his putting and work around the greens was superb. Before his loss in a six-hole playoff against Patrick Cantlay in the BMW Championship, he’d been quiet on the course amidst a storm of controversy off the course the past five months, earning just two top-10s in 12 starts. He vows his tiff with Brooks Koepka will not hinder the USA’s chance in the Ryder Cup.
Bryson Dechambeau checks a yardage card during a practice session ahead of the 42nd Ryder Cup at Le Golf National Course at Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, south-west of Paris on September 25, 2018. (Photo by Franck Fife-AFP/Getty Images)
Brooks Koepka
Age: 31
World rank: 9
Career record: 8 PGA Tour titles, including the 2017 U.S. Open, 2018 U.S. Open, 2018 PGA Championship and 2019 PGA Championship.
Ryder Cup record: 4-3-1.
The major monster has 12 top-7 finishes in his last 16 major championships; he is the only player to win multiple majors in back-to-back years. While he can overpower any golf course, Koepka has seriously upgraded his chipping and putting. He has battled knee, hip, and neck injuries but he said they no longer pose a major problem. A wrist injury, however, that he sustained in The Tour Championship, is of concern. If he gets past that, nothing bothers him inside the ropes, a poise that will play well in the Ryder Cup.
Brooks Koepka tees off at the 1st during a Ryder Cup practice round at Le Golf National. (Photo: Ian Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports)
Justin Thomas
Age: 28
World rank: 6
Career record: 14 PGA Tour titles, including the 2017 PGA Championship. Also has won two World Golf Championships events and the 2021 Players.
Ryder Cup record: 4-1-0.
Heading into 2021, Thomas had won 11 PGA Tour titles in four years, including the 2017 PGA Championship during a magical year in which he won five times and captured the FedEx Cup. But this year began with a few off-the-course issues the set him off kilter and he’s had just a few on-course bright spots, including victory in the Players. Putting has been a main culprit. He can flip the switch at any time and is an explosive player who can unleash birdie binges.
United States golfer Justin Thomas reacts to the gallery during the Ryder Cup Friday morning matches at Le Golf National. (Photo: Ian Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports)
Patrick Cantlay
World rank: 4
Career record: Five PGA Tour titles, including the 2019 and 2021 Memorial.
Ryder Cup record: 0-0
Cantlay became the only three-time winner in the super season with his victory in a six-hole playoff against Bryson DeChambeau in the BMW Championship, adding to his trophy case that included the 2020 Zozo Championship and 2021 Memorial. Then he became the only four-time winner when he wrapped up the FedEx Cup and $15 million at The Tour Championship. He has a classic swing that looks unhurried – mirroring his demeanor – but it packs quite a punch. Was 3-2-0 in the 2019 Presidents Cup, teaming well with Xander Schauffele for two wins. His length, accuracy and poise will go over well at Whistling Straits. And with his putter on a roll – he made 537 feet of putts in the BMW – that could be a lethal collection.
Patrick Cantlay reacts after defeating Bryson DeChambeau on the sixth playoff hole during the final round of the BMW Championship at Caves Valley Golf Club on August 29, 2021 in Owings Mills, Maryland. (Photo: Rob Carr/Getty Images)
Jordan Spieth
Age: 28
World rank: 14
Career record: 12 PGA Tour titles, including the 2021 Valero Texas Open
Ryder Cup record: 7-5-2
Jordan Spieth had a resurgence this year. After several seasons of struggle, missed cuts, and disappointment, he came back in a big way with a win and nine total top 10s. He came close at the British Open and was once again in the mix at Augusta in April. This will be his fourth straight Ryder Cup appearance, and will bring an immense amount of leadership to the US locker room.
Jordan Spieth during the 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles in Scotland.
Xander Schauffele
Age: 27
World rank: 5
Career record: Five PGA Tour titles
Ryder Cup record: 0-0
Xander Schauffele continues to be one of the most consistent players on the PGA Tour. In 22 appearances, he made 20 cuts, finishing in the top 25 16 times. He wasn’t able to win on Tour, but he did take home the gold medal at the Tokyo Olympic Games. This will be his first Ryder Cup, but he has represented the United States in the Presidents Cup. Expect Schauffele to make a substantial impact on this US team.
Xander Schauffele of the United States celebrates after winning the gold medal in the men’s golf competition at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Kasumigaseki Country Club in Kawagoe on August 1, 2021. Photo by Yoshi Iwamoto/AFP via Getty Images
Tony Finau
Age: 31
World rank: 10
Career record: Two PGA Tour titles, including the 2021 Northern Trust
Ryder Cup record: 2-1-0
Tony Finau finally returned to the winner’s circle this season after winning the Northern Trust at Liberty National. He was a member of the 2018 Ryder Cup team after being selected as a captain’s pick. He finished the week with a 2-1-0 record, highlighted by his singles win over the seemingly unstoppable Tommy Fleetwood (his only lose of the Ryder Cup). On top of his win, he had 8 other top 10s this season.
PARIS, FRANCE – SEPTEMBER 28: Tony Finau of the United States chips in on the sixth during the morning fourball matches of the 2018 Ryder Cup at Le Golf National on September 28, 2018 in Paris, France. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Daniel Berger
Age: 28
World rank: 16
Career record: Four PGA Tour titles, including the 2021 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
Ryder Cup record: 0-0
Daniel Berger is feisty and never quits and had a great start to the 2021 season, winning the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. He also finished on a high note, with three finishes of T-11 or better in his last 5 starts. His represented the United States at the 2017 President’s Cup, where he made the clinching putt for then Presidents Cup captain Steve Stricker, so he does have some experience in this format.
Daniel Berger of the U.S. team reacts on the 14th green during Sunday singles matches of the Presidents Cup at Liberty National Golf Club on October 1, 2017 in Jersey City, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Scottie Scheffler
Age: 25
World rank: 21
Career record: 0 PGA Tour wins
Ryder Cup record: 0-0
Scottie Scheffler came to play in the big events this season – T-18 at the Masters, T-8 at the PGA Championship, T-7 at the U.S. Open, and T-8 at the Open. Add two top fives at WGC’s, and all Scottie was missing was a win. Although this will be his first appearance at the Ryder Cup, his game will fit Whistling Straits perfectly. He makes birdies in bunches which is always handy in match play, reflected by his runner-up to Billy Horschel in Austin earlier this season. Before losing to Horschel, Scheffler took down world No. 1 Jon Rahm and Ian Poulter.
Scottie Scheffler looks on from the range during a practice round prior to the Sentry Tournament Of Champions on the Plantation Course at Kapalua Golf Club on January 04, 2021 in Kapalua, Hawaii. (Photo by Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images)
Harris English
Age: 32
World rank: 11
Career record: Four PGA Tour titles, including the 2021 Sentry Tournament of Champions and Travelers Championship
Ryder Cup record: 0-0
Harris English is coming off his best season on the PGA Tour. He began the year with a win at the Sentry Tournament of Champions after taking down Joaquin Niemann, and a few months ago conquered Kramer Hickok in a marathon playoff at the Travelers Championship. He’ll bring an incredibly consistent tee-to-green game, as well as being a solid putter, to the U.S. team.
Harris English holds the winners trophy after winning the Travelers Championship golf tournament after a playoff at TPC River Highlands, Sunday, June 27, 2021, in Cromwell, Conn. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
