The golfing world’s attention is swiftly turning towards the Ryder Cup in September, but there are still two more FedEx Cup Playoff events to play before then.
Keegan Bradley has a couple of pressing matters to resolve ahead of the 45th edition of the Ryder Cup, none more so than his own inauspicious form.
The first event of the FedEx Cup Playoffs threw up a couple of potential issues for Bradley as well.
Bradley has been urged to pick himself for the Ryder Cup by fans, journalists, and indeed, his fellow PGA Tour pros.
However, the 39-year-old’s recent form is not conducive with him being on the team at Bethpage Black.
He will also have big concerns about the form of two Ryder Cup stalwarts – Justin Thomas and Collin Morikawa.
Both players have been a long way off the levels required over the past few months, and Bradley will undoubtedly have some big selection headaches at the end of this month when he names his six captain’s picks.
However, another couple of problems arose for Bradley and the US Ryder Cup team during the FedEx St. Jude Championship in Memphis last week.
America’s double Ryder Cup setback at the FedEx St. Jude Championship
Justin Rose won the St. Jude Championship at TPC Southwind after his incredible back nine on Sunday.
The way that the Englishman played against J.J. Spaun in the playoff would have been a huge boost for the Europeans ahead of the showdown at Bethpage next month.
Rose will undoubtedly be on the European team for the 2025 Ryder Cup.
An in-form Rose is the last thing the American team need right now.
The 45-year-old has been sensational for Europe throughout the years. He has been a member of the European team six times in his career, and has won 14 matches, lost nine and halved three.
Luke Donald will be delighted with Rose’s form recently, and he will be a real talisman for Europe at Bethpage.
On the flip-side, the 45-year-old Englishman playing golf like he currently is will really hurt the Americans in September.
And the United States have yet another problem to worry about after the FedEx St. Jude Championship.
J.J. Spaun’s playoff record a big concern ahead of the Ryder Cup
Spaun played almost flawless golf at TPC Southwind on Sunday.
He did enough to force a playoff with Rose, but he came up just short in the end after the now 12-time PGA Tour winner rolled in a 12-foot putt for birdie on the third extra hole, while the American missed his attempt from two feet closer.
Spaun has now lost both playoffs he has taken part in this year, after his defeat to Rory McIlroy at The Players Championship back in March.
He also lost the only other playoff he has faced in his career on the Web.com tour nine years ago.
His record in sudden death playoffs is hardly inspiring, and Spaun’s defeat to Rose at the FedEx St. Jude Championship on Sunday was definitely not ideal preparation for the Americans with the Ryder Cup now just six weeks away.
Bradley will be scratching his head right now. Team Europe seem to be in a far stronger position than Team USA are.
The good news for Bradley and his team is that there is still plenty of time for the struggling players to find some form, and indeed, for the in-form European players to lose theirs.
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