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With most of the attention focused on who will make the European team ahead of Paul McGinley’s Ryder Cup announcement at 12:30 today, there hasn’t been much speculation surrounding US Ryder Cup captain Tom Watson’s wildcards.
If you think McGinley has a difficult decision to make, Watson’s – who has three wildcards at his disposal – is even harder.
Tom Watson’s Ryder Cup options
Keegan Bradley
Made his Ryder Cup debut at Medinah two years ago, leaving the tournament with a 3-1-0 record. Earlier this year, only Bradley and Jim Furyk made the trip to Gleneagles for a team get together the week before the Open Championship. A big personality, the former PGA Champion is a front runner for a pick.
Brant Snedeker
With so much of the Ryder Cup down to holding your nerve on the greens and holing putts when they matter most, Snedeker – one of the best putters on the PGA Tour – would be a valuable asset. Missing the cut in his last two events will have done the world No. 37 no favours, though.
Hunter Mahan
With a win and a top ten in two of his last three tournaments, Hunter Mahan has forced himself into the US Ryder Cup argument. Mahan also has two Ryder Cup appearances under his belt, more than anyone else in contention. It would be a big call by Watson to leave him out.
Chris Kirk
Winner of this week’s Deutsche Bank Championship, the 29-year-old now tops the FedExCup standings. He played the last two rounds of his Deutsche Bank win with Europe’s star man Rory McIlroy, handling the pressure well, shooting 64, 66. If picked he would be a rookie.
Ryan Moore
Another would be Ryder Cup first timer. Moore performed well at the Open this year finishing 12th. To add to that, he’s had three top tens in his last seven events. He did miss the cut at The Barclays, and finished a disappointing 73rd at the Deutsche Bank Championship. He’s probably an outside bet.
Webb Simpson
The 29-year-old is another American who played well at the Deutsche Bank, finishing ninth. Simpson made his Ryder Cup debut last time around, so he knows what to expect in the Ryder Cup environment. He’s also notched seven top tens in 2014, two of them in his last three outings. The only thing he’s missing is a win.
Russell Henley
Runner-up to Chris Kirk at the Deutsche Bank, Henley has staked his claim right at the death. He won the Honda Classic back in March but since then he hasn’t pushed on, missing eight cuts in all. If Watson was to take the Ryder Cup rookie, it might raise a few eyebrows.
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