Everyone loves a good underdog story.
While there are three tournaments left until official qualifying ends for the U.S. Ryder Cup Team, there’s an additional week of play until six Captain’s Picks are selected. Though time is of the essence, a player can still get hot and play their way to Rome. It may take some heavy lifting in the next few events — starting this week at the Wyndham Championship, where one point is available for every $1,000 earned — but never say never.
Here’s a look at some of the notable players outside the current top 20 who could begin a move up the U.S. Rankings at the Wyndham Championship, where a timely performance at Sedgefield Country Club ahead of next week’s FedExCup playoffs could strengthen their case for claiming one of the U.S. Team’s 12 roster spots.
Chris Kirk
Current rank in Ryder Cup Rankings:: 20th
Kirk stepped away from the game in 2019 for personal reasons, but ended a 2,836-day winless drought in February at the Honda Classic. The 38-year-old, however, has since fallen 14 spots in the U.S. Ryder Cup rankings with only one top-10. In eight starts at the Wyndham Championship, the five-time Tour winner hasn’t missed the cut since 2011, likely due to the fact Sedgefield rewards strong iron play, a strength of Kirk’s game. If the 2015 U.S. Presidents Cup team member can become the ninth multiple winner on Tour this season, he will warrant strong consideration by U.S. Ryder Cup Captain Zach Johnson for one of the six Captain’s Picks.
Adam Schenk
Current rank in Ryder Cup Rankings: 22nd
It’s been an eventful year both on and off the course for the 31-year-old. Off it, he became a father in April; on it, he has two runner-ups and five top-10s in 29 starts. On pace to make his first Tour Championship, sitting 23rd in the FedExCup standings, the world No. 47 hopes to get a boost in the Ryder Cup rankings, too, but will have to plot a new course at Sedgefield, a place where he’s struggled with four missed cuts in five starts. If Schenk can add to his already-memorable year by notching his maiden Tour win, he’ll not only vastly increase his chances of going to Rome, but would set himself up for a deep playoff run where he can climb the rankings even more.
Russell Henley
Current rank in Ryder Cup Rankings: 25th
Sedgefield has historically suited Henley’s game well. The 34-year-old has three straight top-10s at the Wyndham Championship, largely because of his stellar iron play. The last seven Wyndham winners have all ranked 12th or better in Stroke Gained: Approach for the week, and while Henley is ranked 23rd in that category this season, he’s been inside the top 10 the last three years. Now, after ending a five-year winless drought in November at Mayakoba, the world No. 34 hopes his comfortability at Sedgefield propels him to his second win of the season — and up the U.S. Ryder Cup rankings.
J.T. Poston
Current rank in Ryder Cup Rankings: 31st
It’s hard to go against the hot hand. The 2019 Wyndham Championship winner has three top-10s in his last four starts, including a T-2 at last week’s 3M Open, rising more than 20 spots in the U.S. Ryder Cup rankings since the start of July. Now, Poston looks to keep it going, playing for the seventh consecutive week. In that time frame, the world No. 42 has traveled over 13,000 miles, from Los Angeles to Connecticut, to Silvis, Illinois, to Scotland, to Liverpool, England, to Minneapolis, Minnesota, and now Greensboro, North Carolina. It’s possible that the wear and tear of his expeditions will catch up to him and halt his torrid stretch. But maybe, the 30-year-old will ride his recent form all the way to Rome.
