Jordan Spieth told what he now must do if he’s going to make Keegan Bradley’s Ryder Cup team for Bethpage Black

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You would have to go back to Medinah and the 2012 Ryder Cup for the last time the US team did not include Jordan Spieth, with the three-time major champion a stalwart of his side over the last decade.

Even with his dip in form in recent years, Jordan Spieth has been a mainstay of American Ryder Cup teams throughout his career. He made his debut in the event at Gleneagles in 2014.

Spieth did miss the Presidents Cup last year after a torrid time with injury. But he has mostly been able to stave off any issues with his body this season. Unfortunately, the results have not exactly been what he has needed.

Spieth finds himself down in 25th in the qualification standings for Bethpage. He is one of a number of former Ryder Cup players on the outside looking in right now, with Patrick Cantlay, Sam Burns, Daniel Berger, Tony Finau and Wyndham Clark all outside the top 12.

What Jordan Spieth needs to do to make the Ryder Cup team

Of course, leaving Spieth out of his side would be a big call from Keegan Bradley, particularly with four rookies currently inside the top 12. There is also a very realistic chance that Bradley will make the team himself, potentially adding to the pressure on those rookies.

And speaking on The Smylie Show, Smylie Kaufman suggested what Spieth needs to do if he is to stand any chance of booking his ticket to New York.

“Guys that need another win, I would say that if Jordan wins, that would go a long way. I feel like Jordan has to win before the end to make this team. The Data Golf thing that you sent me says he has a 51 percent chance of making this team. That’s pretty wild. I know he’s had a good year, but still,” he said.

“The Americans have so many possibilities, but the biggest storyline I think is probably Jordan. He’s the one I think has had success at Bethpage, he finished third at the PGA Championship back in 2019 I believe was when they had it at Bethpage. So he’s played well, he drives the absolute c–p out of the golf ball, hits it long, he’s a plus driver when it comes to distance,” he went on to add.

“But again, I think Jordan will have to do a lot coming down the stretch. I think he can’t just rely on a pick, and he knows that. He’s got to go out and play good golf. But I think that’s the big storyline.”

How Jordan Spieth has performed on the PGA Tour in 2025

It would be extremely controversial if Bradley did decide to pick Spieth without him actually winning in the coming weeks. Many will remember the uproar which came with Justin Thomas making the team in Rome.

But Spieth has some reason for optimism. Thomas was arguably one of USA’s better players two years ago. And it would not be a surprise if some of the Europeans would prefer to not see Spieth picked.

He does deserve credit for how he has performed this year, including top five finishes at the WM Phoenix Open and The CJ CUP Byron Nelson. Perhaps his most encouraging display all year came at The Memorial where he finished tied for seventh.

He did withdraw from Travelers Championship due to injury. And that will definitely be a worry with The Open Championship not too far away now.

But Spieth is well-placed to make the FedEx Cup playoffs at least. So that could provide the perfect stage for him to make a real statement.