The FedExCup playoffs have arrived.
Many of the game’s top stars are arriving at the FedExCup St. Jude Championship, the first of three playoff events, looking to go on a deep postseason run and claim the season-long $18 million title. However, a quality finish to the season will in turn help improve a player’s chances of earning a spot on the U.S. Ryder Cup team, with the first six qualifiers announced following next week’s BMW Championship.
Here are four players on the bubble who could use a big week at TPC Southwind to help strengthen their Ryder Cup bid:
Keegan Bradley
Current Ryder Cup Rank: 10
The 37-year-old New Englander is knocking on the door of a Ryder Cup berth after two wins this season, the first time he’s done that since 2011. However, he could be surpassed by one of the other bubble players if Bradley doesn't finish strong. Outside of his win at the Travelers Championship in June, the 2011 PGA Championship winner also had an impressive top-10 performance at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Now, Bradley comes to TPC Southwind looking to continue his impressive play. If he comes up short in auto-qualifying, the fact that he’s a two-time Ryder Cupper may help him claim a captain’s pick.
Collin Morikawa
Current Ryder Cup Rank: 11
TPC Southwind is a ball striker's paradise — and that should be music to Morikawa’s ears. The 2021 Ryder Cupper comes in looking to keep his solid play going with five top-10s, including a T-2 at July’s Rocket Mortgage Classic, falling in a playoff.
With this week’s layout roughly 7,200, the course rewards approach play, which likely explains why Morikawa placed T-5 last year and T-20 in 2020. The two-time major champion is second on Tour in Strokes Gained: Approach this season. If Morikawa can continue to dazzle his iron play en route to some stellar finishes, he may lock up his spot on the U.S. Ryder Cup team.
Sam Burns
Current Ryder Cup Rank: 12
As the season winds down, making his first Ryder Cup has weighed heavily on Burns’ mind.
"I'd be lying if I said (the Ryder Cup) wasn't the biggest goal I had coming into this year,” Burns said ahead of last week’s Wyndham Championship. “I have basically three events left to try to convince (Zach Johnson, U.S. Team Captain) that I need to be on that team.”
At Sedgefield Country Club, he placed T-14 for his second top-20 in his last three events, but now comes to TPC Southwind hoping to take the next step toward his goal. Luckily for Burns, he’s found success before at this week's venue — losing in a payoff two years ago and finishing T-20 in 2022.
That could partially be attributed to the Louisiana native’s comfortability on Bermuda grass. Of the 27-year-old’s five Tour wins, four have come on Bermuda grass. Burns hopes to add another one to the list this week and possibly secure his trip to Rome.
Denny McCarthy
Current Ryder Cup Rank: 15
The 30-year-old had three top-10s in five starts prior to last week’s Wyndham Championship, where he missed the cut. Now, time is ticking for McCarthy to find his way onto the U.S. Team. He’s ranked third on Tour this season in Strokes Gained: Putting; however, that stat hasn’t always been a key indicator of who will emerge victorious at TPC Southwind. McCarthy’s ease on the greens certainly won’t hurt him this week, but he’ll likely need to hit some clutch shots if he's to secure his spot in Rome.
