Fred Couples drops huge hints about three Ryder Cup wildcards

Fred Couples has appeared to confirm three players outside of the automatic US Ryder Cup standings that are certainties to make Zach Johnson’s team.

There are four tournaments remaining for American players to stake their claim for the biennial contest against Europe in Rome this September.

And speaking on his SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio show, US vice-captain Couples dropped some big hints over how the team is shaping up ahead of the showdown at Marco Simone.

• Fowler backs Thomas for Ryder Cup

• 11 players who could make Ryder Cup debut  

Brian Harman jumped up 17 spots to third after his Open win to shake things up in the US standings, with Scottie Scheffler already named as the first qualifier in Johnson’s side.

The other players in the automatic positions include PGA Championship winner Brooks Koepka, US Open champion Wyndham Clark, Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay.

That leaves huge competition for the remaining places, with Jordan Spieth, Cameron Young, Max Homa, Rickie Fowler, Justin Thomas, Keegan Bradley and Collin Morikawa among those desperate to seal their place.

But Couples, who has assumed the vice-captain position for a third time, has already indicated that Spieth, Young and Homa are all safe picks as the battle for spots on the US team intensifies.

☑️ No. 1 in the World
☑️ No. 1 Qualifier for the 🇺🇸

Welcome back to the team, Scottie Scheffler 👊#GoUSA | #RyderCup pic.twitter.com/k76LAUtiiQ

— Ryder Cup USA (@RyderCupUSA) July 26, 2023

“I’m like one of the 19 assistants, I’ll say Max Homa’s gonna be in Italy,” Couples told co-host George Downing when discussing possible wildcard picks.

“I’ll say Max Homa’s gonna be in Italy, without getting anyone in trouble.”

“Cam Young?” Downing asked. “Cam Young will be in Italy,” Couples replied.

“Jordan Spieth?” “Will be in Italy.”

Couples then said “I’m stopping” when Downing’s next query was about Travelers Championship winner Bradley.

• Thomas and form’s unrequited love

• Harrington tipped to make Ryder Cup history

The race for the US team is seriously hotting up and, on this evidence, there may be fewer places to fight for than first anticipated.

Thomas, meanwhile, knows he must arrest his slump in form quickly if he is to tee it up in Rome, and has committed to play at this week’s 3M Open and at the Wyndham Championship after his miserable time at the Open.

“I’m glad he’s playing this week,” Couples said. “The whole world knows that JT’s gotta go to, is it Minnesota, and then Greensboro? He’s gotta go to those places and play well.”