Brooks Koepka isn’t in Atlanta this week, however he’s very a lot a part of the dialog forward of the PGA Tour Championship.
The subsequent time most of the gamers on this week’s subject at East Lake Golf Club tee it up in competitors might be at subsequent month’s Ryder Cup in Rome. The greatest present elephant within the room is whether or not Koepka might be a part of the United States staff that may try and retain the Cup.
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The five-time main winner vaulted to No. 2 within the U.S. staff rankings following his victory on the PGA Championship. But with solely the 4 majors to build up factors in after signing with LIV Golf final 12 months, Koepka steadily slid down the rankings the previous two months.
He in the end was handed for the ultimate automated spots on the U.S. roster by Max Homa and Xander Schauffele after final week’s BMW Championship. Koepka is now seventh on the U.S. checklist, simply 29 factors behind Schauffele.
That means Koepka’s Ryder Cup hopes are on the mercy of captain Zach Johnson, who will make his 4 captain’s picks subsequent week. Johnson has been noncommittal in his stance on LIV gamers, whom he has beforehand stated are “technically” eligible for the U.S. staff as PGA of America members.
Koepka, 33, would seem to have the assist of a number of potential teammates who will tackle Team Europe at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club from Sept. 25-Oct. 1.
“I looked at the points list the other night … I think he was 30 points shy? Which is, I think it was the equivalent of like $30,000 throughout the year,” stated Scottie Scheffler, the No. 1 ranked participant on the planet who additionally tops the U.S. staff standings. “So, if he played one tournament on Tour, I think he probably would have been on the team.”
Koepka has performed in every of the previous three Ryder Cups, together with posting a 2-2-0 document within the Americans’ dominating 19-9 win at Whistling Straits two years in the past. That sort of expertise may show invaluable to a staff that may embody at the very least three Ryder Cup rookies in Homa, Wyndham Clark and Brian Harman.
Other would-be rookies within the combine for captain’s decide consideration embody Cameron Young, Sam Burns, Denny McCarthy and Lucas Glover.
“Brooks, he’s right there. I think he would be a pretty good addition to the team,” Harman stated Wednesday. “I’m not totally familiar with his record in Ryder Cups, but the experience would certainly help, especially considering there’s probably going to be a fair amount of rookies over there.”
“In my opinion, the goal of the Ryder Cup is to win. So, whoever Zach thinks that can help us win the Ryder Cup I think needs to be on the team.”
It’s an fascinating dilemma for Johnson. He admittedly hasn’t adopted the LIV occasions carefully, however he additionally hasn’t wanted to to be able to hold tabs on Koepka’s type. After tying for second on the Masters, Koepka claimed his third PGA title in May and the 2 performed a follow spherical forward of final month’s 151st Open Championship.
Team Europe captain Luke Donald doesn’t have any LIV gamers or debate to take care of. Those who renounced their DP World Tour memberships to affix the Saudi-backed league usually are not eligible for choice.
First his half, European stalwart Rory McIlroy stated he has no drawback if Johnson decides to incorporate Koepka on the American staff.
“No. I don’t think it would make a difference for us,” he stated.