Webb Simpson Outside Looking In at Ryder Cup Team
The British Open is past us and only the PGA Championship remains on the major calendar. Beyond the PGA Championship lies the FedEx Playoffs. Beyond the FedEx Playoffs lies the Ryder Cup as the Americans try again to beat the Europeans. Europe has taken seven of the last nine Ryder Cups.
More from Wake Forest Demon Deacons
- Webb Simpson wins RBC Heritage Open on Father’s Day
- Four North Carolina players selected in first round of MLB Draft
- Battle 4 NC: Ranking the Top 5 Football Teams in NC after Week 11
- Wake Forest Football: How to watch College Football Playoff Rankings Show
- Surratt, Dimukeje, Acceus Named ACC Players of the Week
Who the US will field in the Ryder Cup is up to captain Tom Watson. He has to take the nine leading golfers in Ryder Cup points. Then he has to pick three more golfers to round out a twelve man roster. Kyle Porter of CBSSports spent some time putting together odds on who those players would be.
Porter suggested that the majority of the roster was set at this point. His locks included Bubba Watson, Jim Furyk, Jimmy Walker, Dustin Johnson, Matt Kuchar, Rickie Fowler, and Jordan Spieth. That’s seven spots right there. That leaves two automatic spots and three captain picks.
Live Feed
Pro Golf Now
Of the guys that Porter mentioned as in competition for those final spots, only one has a tie to schools in North Carolina. That would be Webb Simpson of Wake Forest. The 2012 US Open winner is one of those players with work to do to join the Ryder Cup roster. Porter did not give him much of a chance.
Simpson’s first problem will be the old guard. Phil Mickleson is sitting just south of the qualifying number right now. If he was to get hot, Mickleson might snag one of those two last automatic spots. If he does not, then Watson would likely use one captain’s pick on him.
The other question mark is Tiger Woods, who is still recovering now. It is hard to see where his game will be in October. Watson has pledged one of the captain’s picks to him. If he holds to that promise, that is another spot that Webb can’t get.
The best case scenario is Webb to get on a run in the second half of the year. The easiest way to gain ground would be to simply win the PGA Championship next month, but it is hard to win majors. A more likely scenario would be a strong set of showings up to and through the FedEx playoffs. Simpson might need to pick up a win somewhere, like at the Bridgestone this week.
Still we’ll be hoping Webb pulls it off and will represent the USA at the Ryder Cup.