Ryder Cup hopeful back in contention after cruel PGA Tour blow

In an alternate universe, Jordan Smith would be competing in either of the two lucrative PGA Tour events right now rather than at the Turkish Airlines Open.

Smith is chasing a third DP World Tour victory here at Regnum Carya, which would provide a timely boost to his outside chances of making a Ryder Cup debut at Bethpage Black.

The Englishman was selected by Luke Donald in the Team Cup back in January – impressing as he collected 2.5 points from four on his second appearance in the warm-up contest.

However, that week in Abu Dhabi was dominated by the shock news that his young GB&I teammate Tom McKibbin was joining LIV Golf – a move that inadvertently had huge implications for Smith. 

That’s because in last November’s season-ending playoffs, McKibbin dramatically beat Smith to the final PGA Tour card offered by the DP World Tour’s ‘Ten Card Initiative.’

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McKibbin gave up his US playing privileges to sign with LIV – but only after the deadline to confirm PGA Tour membership had expired.

It cruelly meant the final PGA Tour card could not be passed on from the Northern Irishman to Smith.

And so if Smith is to seriously contend for a Ryder Cup spot – from his current position of 19th in the European rankings – he’ll have to do it the hard way.

“We’re looking to get at least one, maybe two wins under the belt,” he told bunkered.co.uk in Antalya, where he is four shots behind leader Brandon Robinson-Thomson heading into the final round.

“I had a good result in China (runner-up last month) and we’re playing nicely here. I’ve found an extra something in my game.”

Smith’s bogey-free 64 on Saturday launched him from nowhere into fifth, behind only Robinson-Thompson, Robin Williams, Jorge Campillo and Haotong LI.

He’s a heavy favourite to belatedly claim a PGA Tour card for 2026 – and was asked whether he now definitively feels like one of the best players on his home circuit.

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“Us golfers struggle with self-confidence,” he said, “but yeah. Tee-to green tends to be what I do well week to week and it’s when my putting is half decent – that’s when I can contend. Today was a good putting day and if we can do that tomorrow, we might be able to pull it out the bag.”

And just as it will prove at this year’s Turkish Airlines Open, Smith’s Ryder Cup hopes will ultimately depend on whether he can time his run to perfection.

“You see guys come firing out the blocks at the start year and then not the perform at the other end of the year and not get picked,” he said.

“I know I’m on Luke’s radar so as long as I keep putting in good performances, you never know what might happen. But my main goal is to try and get in the team.”

Ben Parsons is the Senior Writer at bunkered and is the man to come to for all of the latest news, across both the professional and amateur games. Formerly of The Mirror and Press Association, he is a member at Halifax Golf Club and is a long-suffering fan of both Manchester United and the Wales rugby team.