Look Out for These Ryder Cup “Bubble Boys” This Week

If the first day of the BMW Championship is any indication, we’re in for an exciting weekend as several top golfers are either tied for the lead or just a shot off after the opening 18 holes.

Come Sunday, the top 30 in FedEx Cup points will be heading to Atlanta next week for the Tour Championship, but for several United States golfers, there’s another title they’re chasing: an automatic berth into the Ryder Cup.

Here are the three competition day uniforms for the U.S. Ryder Cup team this year, plus a sweater option that has Scottie Scheffler written all over it. pic.twitter.com/Xzo4iLpyeR

— Kyle Porter (@KylePorterCBS) August 16, 2023

This is the last tournament where players can earn points, and only three golfers have secured their spot in Italy next month: Scottie Scheffler, Wyndham Clark, and Patrick Cantlay.

The top six in the standings receive an automatic berth, but spots 4-6 are not safe.

Brian Harman, The Open Championship winner, is in fourth and looks to be in good shape by co-leading the BMW Championship after Thursday’s opening round. He only needs to finish 20^th to guarantee his spot.

With Brooks Koepka only earning points in the four majors, he’s in the No 5 spot and just has to watch to see what happens. There are a number of scenarios that would push him out of the top six.

In sixth is Max Homa. He needs to finish runner-up this weekend to guarantee his spot, but with two wins on the PGA Tour this year, it would be hard to see captain Zach Johnson not selecting him with one of his six wild-card picks. Same goes for Koepka, politics with LIV Golf notwithstanding. Other LIV winners who have a case include Talor Gooch and Bryson DeChambeau.

🚨🇺🇸👀 #NEW: Zach Johnson says he hasn’t spoken much with LIV golfers regarding the Ryder Cup. “There hasn’t been much communication. I’m gonna be fully transparent. It’s hard because I’m not able to witness what they’re doing and see their form with the exception of 4 events a… pic.twitter.com/qJcibKviqZ

— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) August 17, 2023

Of those on the outside looking in, Xander Schauffele is in the best shape. Due to Koepka not being in the field, the Olympic gold medal winner in 2021 is in with a finish of 43^rd this weekend.

Rickie Fowler needs a solo second to automatically qualify, and he’s also leading after one round. Collin Morikawa needs at least a three-way tie for second, and he’s two shots off the lead after 18 holes. Several others, including Lucas Glover, need to win to get in.

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Based on Thursday’s action, there will be no shortage of drama in Chicago this week.

Johnson’s six captain’s picks will be made the week after the Tour Championship.

Cover Image via Twitter