On Wednesday, Scottie Scheffler became the first player to officially make the 2023 United States Ryder Cup team. This year’s biennial event will be held from Sept. 29-Oct. 1 at Marco Simone Golf Club in Rome, Italy.
Although the U.S. vs. Europe duel is still two months away, the players destined to represent the stars and stripes have begun to cement themselves. As it stands now, Wyndham Clark, Brian Harman, Brooks Koepka, Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay are the other five automatic qualifiers along with Scheffler.
There are several superstars on the outside looking in including Jordan Spieth, Max Homa and Rickie Fowler.
All three players could receive captain’s picks, but a lot can happen between now and selection time.
However, vice captain Fred Couples did give us a bit of insight during his SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio show, The Fred Couples Show.
“Here’s the guys that are not confirmed and need to make a case,” his co-host George Downing said. “No. 7: Max Homa.”
“I’ll say Max Homa’s gonna be in Italy,” Couples replied. “I’ll say Max Homa’s gonna be in Italy, without getting anyone in trouble.”
Couples was then asked about Cameron Young.
“Cam Young will be in Italy,” Couples said.
Max Homa of the United States walks from the 17th tee on Day One of The 151st Open at Royal Liverpool Golf Club on July 20, 2023 in Hoylake, England. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
How about Jordan Spieth?
“Will be in Italy,” he said.
When asked about Keegan Bradley, Couples replied: “The rest is — I’m stopping.”
Including those three players, the U.S. Ryder Cup roster looks like this: Scheffler, Clark, Harman, Koepka, Schauffele, Cantlay, Homa, Spieth and Young.
Three spots on the 12-man team remain open, with names like Collin Morikawa, Justin Thomas, Sam Burns, Tony Finau, and Fowler still hoping for a phone call.
Thomas, who has a 6-2-1 record at the Ryder Cup, is struggling with his game. In a last-minute push to impress captain Zach Johnson, Thomas is playing in this week’s 3M Open and next week’s Wyndham Championship.
“I’m glad he’s playing this week. The whole world knows that JT’s gotta go to, is it Minnesota, and then Greensboro? He’s gotta go to those places and play well,” Couples said.
The six automatic qualifiers for the U.S. will be official after the BMW Championship, the second of three FedEx Cup Playoff events. After East Lake, captain Johnson will make his six captain’s picks.
But after listening to Couples, it sounds like three of those spots are already taken.