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 area at East Lake Golf Membership tee it up in competitors can be at subsequent month’s Ryder Cup in Rome. The most important present elephant within the room is whether or not Koepka can be a part of the US group that can try and retain the Cup.
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The five-time main winner vaulted to No. 2 within the U.S. group rankings following his victory on the PGA Championship. However with solely the 4 majors to build up factors in after signing with LIV Golf final yr, 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. listing, simply 29 factors behind Schauffele.
Which 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. group as PGA of America members.
Koepka, 33, would seem to have the assist of a number of potential teammates who will tackle Group Europe at Marco Simone Golf & Nation Membership from Sept. 25-Oct. 1.
“I seemed on the factors listing the opposite night time … I feel he was 30 factors shy? Which is, I feel it was the equal of like $30,000 all year long,” stated Scottie Scheffler, the No. 1 ranked participant on the earth who additionally tops the U.S. group standings. “So, if he performed one event on Tour, I feel he most likely would have been on the group.”
Koepka has performed in every of the previous three Ryder Cups, together with posting a 2-2-0 report within the Individuals’ dominating 19-9 win at Whistling Straits two years in the past. That sort of expertise may show invaluable to a group that can embrace no less than three Ryder Cup rookies in Homa, Wyndham Clark and Brian Harman.
Different would-be rookies within the combine for captain’s choose consideration embrace Cameron Younger, Sam Burns, Denny McCarthy and Lucas Glover.
“Brooks, he’s proper there. I feel he can be a reasonably good addition to the group,” Harman stated Wednesday. “I’m not completely aware of his report in Ryder Cups, however the expertise would definitely assist, particularly contemplating there’s most likely going to be a good quantity of rookies over there.”
“In my view, the purpose of the Ryder Cup is to win. So, whoever Zach thinks that may assist us win the Ryder Cup I feel must be on the group.”
It’s an attention-grabbing dilemma for Johnson. He admittedly hasn’t adopted the LIV occasions intently, however he additionally hasn’t wanted to as a way to hold tabs on Koepka’s kind. After tying for second on the Masters, Koepka claimed his third PGA title in Could and the 2 performed a apply spherical forward of final month’s 151st Open Championship.
Group Europe captain Luke Donald doesn’t have any LIV gamers or debate to cope with. Those that renounced their DP World Tour memberships to affix the Saudi-backed league aren’t eligible for choice.
First his half, European stalwart Rory McIlroy stated he has no downside if Johnson decides to incorporate Koepka on the American group.
“No. I don’t suppose it could make a distinction for us,” he stated.