The U.S. Ryder Cup team is complete. Six automatic qualifiers have now been joined by six Captain’s Picks, as Captain Steve Stricker revealed the remaining members of his team Wednesday.
Collin Morikawa, Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, Justin Thomas and Patrick Cantlay automatically qualified following the PGA Tour’s BMW Championship. Daniel Berger, Harris English, Tony Finau, Xander Schauffele, Scottie Scheffler and Jordan Spieth will now join them for the matches September 24-26 at Whistling Straits in Haven, Wisconsin.
Here is a breakdown of Stricker’s six picks:
Daniel Berger
Age: 28
World Ranking: 16
Ryder Cup appearances: First appearance
U.S. Ryder Cup record: First appearance
Season at a glance: If there’s such a thing as a sneaky-good record over the past few months, Berger is the one who collected it. Those wondering if he was going to receive a pick weren’t doing their homework. Since May Berger has recorded five top-10 finishes. Before that he tied for ninth at The Players and won the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. He also ranks fifth in strokes gained: approach to the green and 11th in strokes gained: total.
Harris English
Age: 32
World Ranking: 11
Ryder Cup appearances: First appearance
U.S. Ryder Cup record: First appearance
Season at a glance: English solidified his position with a stretch run this summer where he finished third, first and fourth in a four-event span. That one win came in a dramatic playoff in the Travelers Championship. English could be overlooked because he’s quiet and unassuming, but he deserves this opportunity. He finished the PGA Tour season ranked 12th in strokes gained: putting, which will make others want to partner with him even though it’s his first taste of the Ryder Cup.
Tony Finau
Age: 31
World Ranking: 9
Ryder Cup appearances: 2018
U.S. Ryder Cup record: 2-1-0
Season at a glance: Finau vaulted up the U.S. standings late with a victory at The Northern Trust two weeks ago. The performance was nearly enough to earn him an automatic spot on the team, until Patrick Cantlay won the BMW Championship the following week. He played well three years ago in his rookie Ryder Cup appearance and his length off the tee should be a huge asset at a burly Whistling Straits venue.
Xander Schauffele
Age: 27
World Ranking: 5
Ryder Cup appearances: First appearance
U.S. Ryder Cup record: First appearance
Season at a glance: There was no way the Olympic gold medalist was going to be left off this team. This was Schauffele’s only victory this year, and it didn’t count toward Ryder Cup points, but he’s otherwise produced a stellar, consistent record with six top-10 finishes. He was ranked fourth in strokes gained: total and seventh on the PGA Tour this year in scoring average. Will likely partner with Patrick Cantlay.
Scottie Scheffler
Age: 25
World Ranking: 21
Ryder Cup appearances: First appearance
U.S. Ryder Cup record: First appearance
Season at a glance: Scheffler has played well all year and extremely well in stretches finishing fifth at the WGC-Workday Championship, second to Billy Horschel at the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play and third at the Memorial Tournament. Scheffler hits the ball miles, is 17th on Tour in strokes gained: off the tee and is seventh on Tour in birdie average, making 4.39 birdies per round. Safe money says this will not be his last Ryder Cup appearance.
Jordan Spieth
Age: 28
World Ranking: 15
Ryder Cup appearances: 2014, 2016, 2018
U.S. Ryder Cup record: 7-5-2
Season at a glance: Spieth’s resurgence is a massive bonus for Stricker and his overall winning record in the Ryder Cup makes him a go-to guy for the red, white and blue. We know he’ll partner with Justin Thomas quite often and while his putting may not be as good as it was several years ago, it’s still terrific and will serve him well during the week. Ranked sixth in strokes gained: around the green and aside from his victory at the Valero Texas Open he recorded nine top-10s this year.
