After a long-awaited decision on behalf of US Ryder Cup team captain Tom Watson, the 64-year-old formally made his final three selections to round out the 2014 team that will be playing at Gleneagles from September 26-28.
On Tuesday night in New York, Watson chose Keegan Bradley, Hunter Mahan and Webb Simpson as the last three members of the US team. Those who already made the team - Bubba Watson, Rickie Fowler, Jim Furyk, Jimmy Walker, Phil Mickelson, Matt Kuchar, Jordan Spieth, Patrick Reed and Zach Johnson - automatically qualified because of their Ryder Cup ranking, which is determined by prize money earned in the 2013 and 2014 major championships, 2014 PGA Tour events, and other 2014 events played opposite the major championships and World Golf Championships.
The final three spots are chosen by the team captain, and after Tiger Woods withdrew his name from consideration because of his back injury, the spotlight became even brighter on Watson in regards to who he would choose. Bradley was no surprise because of his No. 13 ranking in the Ryder Cup standings along with his excellent performance during the 2012 event. Mahan significantly bolstered his chances with a win at The Barlcays on August 24 in Paramus, New Jersey. He's also the No. 20 ranked golfer in the world, but No. 25 in the Ryder Cup standings.
Watson's surprise pick was Webb Simpson. The 29-year-old has played in 23 events this year and hasn't earned a win all season. His best finishes were in third place at the Greenbrier Classic, the FedEx St. Jude Classic, and the Hyundai Tournament of Champions. His No. 15 ranking in the Ryder Cup standings may have swayed Watson, but many believed the captain should have chosen Chris Kirk, the winner of the Deutsche Bank Championship this past weekend.
Kirk is ranked ahead of Simpson in both the Official World Golf Ranking (25) and the Ryder Cup standings (14), thanks to his victory over the weekend. In 23 events this year, Kirk has one win, one second place finish and only two missed cuts compared to Simpson's six. Kirk's performance on Monday was very revealing in terms of his ability to deal with pressure, after he was paired with Rory McIlroy on the final day of the Deutsche Bank Championship and shot a five-under 66 to solidify his two-stroke victory.
Nonetheless, Watson has made his selections and the US will look to earn their first win at the Ryder Cup since 2008. The United States has lost seven of the past nine meetings, including an embarrassing defeat in 2012 at Medinah Country Club in Illinois. The 2014 event will take place at Gleneagles in Scotland from September 26-28.
