9 bubble gamers left off 2025 U.S. Ryder Cup staff

Keegan Bradley, ultimately, didn’t decide Keegan Bradley.

The U.S. captain for subsequent month’s Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black as a substitute tabbed Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa, Ben Griffin, Cameron Younger, Patrick Cantlay and Sam Burns as his six allotted captain’s picks on Wednesday, however the non-selection of himself will undoubtedly be probably the most scrutinized. Whereas nobody has been each a captain and a participant for the biennial occasion since 1963, Bradley is certified to play — he’s ranked eleventh on the planet and has gained as soon as this yr, in June on the Vacationers Championship.  

Bradley stated after that win that he’d thought of enjoying, however the choice was made “some time in the past” that he wouldn’t be on the staff. 

“All these guys stepped up in a serious manner and performed their manner onto this staff,” Bradley stated. “It’s one thing I’m actually pleased with and one thing I actually needed. But it surely was a particularly tough choice, however one which I’m actually proud of and actually proud of these six gamers. 

“And I’m glad it’s over.” 

After all, he wasn’t alone in not making the staff. Here’s a take a look at 9 bubble gamers left off the U.S. Ryder Cup staff. 

Ryder Cup snubs: 9 bubble gamers left off the staff

Maverick McNealy 

Rank within the closing U.S. Ryder Cup staff standings: tenth 

Why he’s thought of a snub: McNealy is the highest-ranked participant within the U.S. Ryder Cup staff standings to be left off the staff. He gained his first PGA Tour occasion final November on the RSM Traditional and has performed regular golf ever since, posting seven top-10 finishes this yr. 

Why he was left off the staff: McNealy has by no means performed in a staff occasion. He’s additionally ranked 122nd on Tour this season in Strokes Gained: Across the Inexperienced.

Keegan Bradley 

Rank within the closing U.S. Ryder Cup staff standings: eleventh

Why he’s thought of a snub: Nobody might care extra about this occasion than Bradley. He’s performed in it twice, and the agony proven after not being picked for it two years in the past has been well-documented. Bradley can also be conversant in Bethpage, having performed school golf at close by St. John’s. 

Why he was left off the staff: The problem of performing each jobs. Nobody has been a enjoying captain since Arnold Palmer in 1963. He’s additionally ranked one hundredth on the PGA Tour this season in Strokes Gained: Placing. 

Brian Harman 

Rank within the closing U.S. Ryder Cup staff standings: twelfth

Why he’s thought of a snub: Harman performed on the staff in 2023 and gained the Open Championship that yr. This yr, he gained as soon as on the PGA Tour and completed within the high 10 thrice. 

Why he was left off the staff: One guess is driving distance. It will likely be wanted at Bethpage, and this season on Tour, Harman is ranked 149th within the class. 

Andrew Novak 

Rank within the closing U.S. Ryder Cup staff standings: thirteenth

Why he’s thought of a snub: He performed with Griffin to win the PGA Tour’s lone staff occasion, the Zurich Traditional. He additionally completed within the high 10 5 occasions this season.  

Why he was left off the staff: Together with Griffin and McNealy, Novak has by no means performed in a staff occasion. He’s additionally ranked 111th this yr on Tour in Strokes Gained: Method the Inexperienced. 

Wyndham Clark 

Rank within the closing U.S. Ryder Cup staff standings: seventeenth 

Why he’s thought of a snub: He gained the 2023 U.S. Open and has performed on one Ryder Cup staff and one Presidents Cup staff. 

Why he was left off the staff: He hasn’t gained since final yr’s AT&T Pebble Seashore Professional-Am. He’s additionally ranked seventy fifth on the PGA Tour this season in Strokes Gained: Complete, 89th in SG: Tee to Inexperienced, 79th in SG: Off the Tee and 138th in SG: Method the Inexperienced. 

Chris Gotterup 

Rank within the closing U.S. Ryder Cup staff standings: twentieth 

Why he’s thought of a snub: In his previous 9 occasions, Gotterup has posted six high 10 finishes, which features a win on the Genesis Scottish Open and a third-place end per week later on the Open Championship. He additionally ranked eighth this season on the PGA Tour in driving distance. 

Why he was left off the staff: Inexperience, as this is able to have been his first staff look. He’s additionally ranked one hundredth this season on Tour in SG: Method the Inexperienced, 78th in SG: Across the Inexperienced and 87th in SG: Placing. 

Tony Finau 

Rank within the closing U.S. Ryder Cup staff standings: twenty fourth 

Why he’s thought of a snub: Finau has performed on two Ryder Cup groups and three Presidents Cup groups. 

Why he was left off the staff: He’s posted one high 10 end this yr and hasn’t gained since 2023. He’s additionally ranked 118th this season on the PGA Tour in Strokes Gained: Complete, 107th in SG: Tee to Inexperienced, 117th in SG: Off the Tee, 117th in SG: Method the Inexperienced and one hundred and fifteenth in SG: Placing. 

Rickie Fowler 

Rank within the closing U.S. Ryder Cup staff standings: thirtieth 

Why he’s thought of a snub: Fowler has performed on 5 Ryder Cup groups and three Presidents Cup groups. He’s additionally posted 4 high 20 finishes in his previous six begins.  

Why he was left off the staff: Fowler hasn’t gained since 2023. His Ryder Cup document can also be 3-9-5. 

Jordan Spieth 

Rank within the closing U.S. Ryder Cup staff standings: thirty second 

Why he’s thought of a snub: Spieth has performed on 5 Ryder Cup groups and 4 Presidents Cup groups. 

Why he was left off the staff: Spieth didn’t qualify for the second leg of the FedEx Cup Playoffs, and he’s been working his manner again from a left wrist surgical procedure carried out final yr. 

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