Maverick McNealy is arguably the most underrated player on the PGA Tour at the moment.
McNealy won his first Tour event at the RSM Classic last season and now ranks in the top 20 in the Official World Golf Ranking.
The American golfer is currently 11th in the Ryder Cup qualification standings, so he has a great chance to make Keegan Bradley’s team for Bethpage.
Speaking about the upcoming competition between the United States and Europe, McNealy pointed out something the PGA Tour are doing wrong.
Maverick McNealy wants the PGA Tour to make significant change
McNealy’s immediate focus will be on performing well at the Scottish Open this week and the Open Championship after that.
However, he is not afraid to admit that representing the US at the Ryder Cup is on his mind.
And an extra motivation, not that he needs it, comes from the opportunity to play in front of the passionate New Yorkers at Bethpage.
“The New York fans will be pretty special to play in front of,” McNealy explained, which inspired him to say that the PGA Tour needs more events in the area.
“Side note, I think it’s crazy that the Tour do not play more in the Northeast with the sports fans and everything that you have got going up there.”
He continued: “The golf courses up in that part of the country are unbelievable. I am sure there is a huge opportunity there, and I’m really hopeful that we get to go and play some more golf up there soon.
“Even the atmosphere at Liberty National was so cool. TPC Boston is a bit out of the way, but the same thing. Super fun. I think there is some good stuff coming there.”
Maverick McNealy comments on making Keegan Bradley’s US Ryder Cup team
McNealy praised United States team captain Keegan Bradley for doing “an awesome job” in the build-up to the Ryder Cup.
“Keegan has done an awesome job making this something which is at the forefront of all our minds starting in February,” he said.
“This has been on everyone’s radar that early. And I think you can see how many guys are starting to play well and make a big push here at the end. It’s something everyone is wanting to do.
“He has made a point for the more experienced guys, or kind of the locks on the team to reach out and spend as much time with guys who have not been on the team before and have a chance to make it.
“I think you are seeing a bunch of guys who are playing really good right now, which is exciting for the US team. A bunch of different skill sets.
“The dinner at Truist was really cool. Keegan talked about what the Ryder Cup means to him and New York and everybody and it would be great to make the team.”
But the world number 16 is not only hopeful of making the squad, but he also wants to make a mark on the event by winning several points for the US.
“But it would be even better to win a lot of points there,” McNealy added. “So the goal is not just to make the team. The goal is to put up a bunch of points. That’s the ultimate goal.
“Let’s dial in that putting, let’s make a lot of 10 to 15 footers because that’s what swings the momentum over there. Drive it really good, because that is what Bethpage demands and let’s go win that thing.”
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