,, August 24, 2025
News Summary
Tensions are rising in the golf world as U.S. Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley faces critical decisions in finalizing his team. With six spots already confirmed, Bradley’s choices for the remaining six captain’s picks could impact team chemistry. Meanwhile, the Tour Championship and European events set the stage for dramatic developments in player qualifications. As golf enthusiasts eagerly await the announcements, the stakes continue to escalate in the race to the Ryder Cup.
Atlanta — Ryder Cup drama is creeping into every leaderboard and clubhouse this week
U.S. captain faced with tight calls as Tour Championship wraps
Golf fans are getting the kind of behind-the-scenes tension they live for. The U.S. Ryder Cup roster is slowly taking shape, but captain Keegan Bradley still has a heavy handful of choices to make. Six automatic spots for the U.S. are locked in, and that leaves Bradley with six captain’s picks to finalize a 12-man team. With big names both inside and outside the automatic list, those picks could make or break team chemistry.
Bradley himself turned heads at East Lake, firing a sizzling 7-under 63 in the third round of the Tour Championship to climb into the mix at 13 under, just a few strokes off the lead. That kind of on-course form makes things awkward for a captain who still has to weigh performance, match-play suitability, and team fit. The whole picture gets murkier when you factor in players who missed automatic selection despite big reputations.
Who’s climbing, who’s slipping, and who’s still sweating it out
The FedEx Cup finale and the closing-week tournaments across the globe are producing drama that will affect final Ryder Cup math. At the Tour Championship, Russell Henley and Tommy Fleetwood share the lead at 13 under as the playoffs wind down. Fleetwood, chasing a first PGA Tour title, has been steady and dangerous all week. World number one Scottie Scheffler battled a tricky third round and posted a four-under day to remain a threat.
Over in Europe, the British Masters shook things up. Alex Norén took the title, and Rasmus Højgaard secured an automatic place on Team Europe with a solid finish. Matt Fitzpatrick is also in prime form at the British Masters and remains a clear Ryder Cup candidate as the final European automatic slots are decided. Luke Donald will announce Europe’s final picks once the top six automatic qualifiers are confirmed.
Back in the U.S. picture, Bryson DeChambeau clinched one of the six automatic spots and is set on lifting his form even further. Not everyone made the cut for automatic selection—big names like Justin Thomas and Collin Morikawa came up short and will be watching the captain’s decisions closely.
Other storylines making waves this week
- Brooke M. Henderson and Minjee Lee are tied atop the CPKC Women’s Open after both shooting 65 on Saturday, adding excitement to women’s golf coverage.
- Veteran Ernie Els grabbed a one-stroke lead at The Ally Challenge, playing clean and steady golf to take control at 5-under.
- Bryson DeChambeau’s past LIV-Golf rivalry sparks another round of headlines after he explained why a direct face-off with Brooks Koepka didn’t happen, keeping that feud alive in the rumor mill.
- Rory McIlroy reflected on how much the game has changed, admitting that friendships and contact lists evolve as new faces and new leagues reshape pro golf.
What Bradley is weighing
The captain has a stack of tough calls. He’s considering players like Ben Griffin, Patrick Cantlay, Chris Gotterup, and even keeping the option of picking himself under hard thought. Selection will balance hot streaks, past Ryder Cup experience, pairing chemistry, and who can handle the electric atmosphere a match-play week brings.
The clock is ticking. Fans and pundits are second-guessing every leaderboard move, but until Bradley drops the final six names, nothing is settled. Expect surprises and a few eyebrow-raising choices, because the Ryder Cup has always been as much about guts as it is about numbers.
Bottom line
Between the late-season leaderboard battles, the British Masters finishing touches for Europe, and captain-level chess moves in the U.S. camp, the next few days will be a feverish countdown for golf lovers. Keep an eye on East Lake, the British Masters leaderboard, and those final pick announcements—this Ryder Cup build-up is delivering headline-making moments every round.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has already qualified for the U.S. Ryder Cup team?
One confirmed automatic name is Bryson DeChambeau; a total of six players earned automatic qualification. The remaining six spots will be captain’s picks from Keegan Bradley.
When will the U.S. captain announce the picks?
The captain’s picks are expected to be announced shortly after the final qualifying events conclude and just before the official team announcements. Exact timing will be set by the captain’s office.
How is Europe shaping its team?
Europe’s top six automatic qualifiers come from their ranking system through the British Masters and other qualifying events. Rasmus Højgaard secured one of those slots, and Luke Donald will name the captain’s picks after the automatic qualifiers are locked in.
Are any big names missing out on automatic spots?
Yes. Notable players who failed to secure automatic qualification include Justin Thomas and Collin Morikawa, leaving their fate in the hands of captain Keegan Bradley if they are to make the final U.S. roster.
Quick reference table: Key players and current status
| Player | Team | Current status |
|---|---|---|
| Bryson DeChambeau | U.S. | Secured automatic qualification |
| Keegan Bradley | U.S. | Captain with six picks; in form at East Lake |
| Ben Griffin | U.S. | Under consideration for a captain’s pick |
| Patrick Cantlay | U.S. | Under consideration for a captain’s pick |
| Chris Gotterup | U.S. | Under consideration for a captain’s pick |
| Justin Thomas | U.S. | Missed automatic qualification |
| Collin Morikawa | U.S. | Missed automatic qualification |
| Rasmus Højgaard | Europe | Secured automatic qualification at the British Masters |
| Alex Norén | Europe | Won the British Masters |
| Matt Fitzpatrick | Europe | Leading at British Masters; strong Ryder Cup candidate |
| Tommy Fleetwood | Europe | Co-leader at Tour Championship; chasing first PGA Tour win |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Trump to Attend Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black
LIV Golf’s Rookie Shuffle and Relegation Rumble
Additional Resources
- Ryder Cup European Rankings
- Olympics: Ryder Cup 2025 Team List
- Golf.com: US Ryder Cup Team 2025
- CBS Sports: US Ryder Cup Team 2025
- Wikipedia: Ryder Cup
- Google Search: Ryder Cup 2025
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