While there is still a number of months to go until the Ryder Cup, Keegan Bradley will be aware just how quickly time will pass once major championship season arrives and the majority of his key players will have made the majority of their starts for the year.
It has been a rocky start to the season for those involved with the US Ryder Cup team. The only Americans to win on the PGA Tour so far this year have been Harris English, Brian Campbell and Joe Highsmith. Of the trio, English is perhaps the only one currently with a realistic chance of being at Bethpage.
Of course, Keegan Bradley will not be too concerned at this stage. The likes of Scottie Scheffler, Bryson DeChambeau and Xander Schauffele have only dipped their toe in so far this season.
But depth could be a problem.
American youngster backed to be on Keegan Bradley’s radar for the Ryder Cup
It is hard to imagine the likes of Brian Harman, Max Homa and Rickie Fowler keeping their places from 2023. Meanwhile, the likes of Patrick Cantlay, Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas have not won on tour since their previous Ryder Cup appearances.
The PGA of America made a big call by turning to Bradley to lead the side. So it would perhaps not be a huge shock to see one of two left-field selections from the skipper as he looks to complete his lineup for New York.
This past week was significant for Luke Clanton as he secured the points he needed to bag a PGA Tour card at the Cognizant Classic. The amateur finished in a tie for 18th at PGA National, adding to his run of impressive finishes on tour so far.
And speaking on the Golf Channel Podcast, Ryan Lavner and Rex Hoggard assessed Clanton’s chances of being in contention to make the Ryder Cup team.
“I don’t think it’s that farfetched that Luke Clanton can be on the US Ryder Cup team. But I think that’s more of an indictment of the current crop of American players. To get on this team he is obviously going to have to play well this summer. But he is going to have to beat out the likes most likely of a Russell Henley, a Tony Finau, a Maverick McNealy, a Billy Horschel. Those types of players,” he said.
“If Luke Clanton once he joins the pay for play set performs well, as Ludvig Aberg did, back in 2023 – he had a couple of opportunities to win and went to Europe a couple of weeks prior to the Ryder Cup and made Luke Donald’s decision very easy. Bethpage Black is going to set up very well for Luke Clanton and his power game. Keegan Bradley is going to be able to judge this summer if Luke Clanton can stand up to what is going to be a very tense and the biggest stage you can possibly manufacture for a 21 year old. But I do think Keegan Bradley is going to have his eyes out for what Luke Clanton can potentially do this summer, it’s up for him then to complete the chance.”
Hoggard replied: “I want to be perfectly clear. Having a chance to cover him a bit earlier in the season at The American Express, a couple of other places – wildly impressed with what he has been able to do. I have had a chance to talk with his coach at FSU – Trey Jones – about how much confidence they have in him, and the idea they weren’t feeling any panic about him getting that last point. They knew eventually the last point would fall into place and he would get his PGA Tour card.
“All of those qualifiers being said, he hasn’t done anything to lead me to believe that he can qualify for a Ryder Cup team. He’s not in the major championships. You’re right – Keegan Bradley is going to keep a very close eye on him. But let’s be realistic about this, it’s not going to happen [he will qualify automatically], unless he comes out and wins. Right now he is what his record says he is, he is a really good player with a lot of potential, and I can’t lean into that enough. I am very impressed by everything he has done.”
The 2023 Ryder Cup boosts Luke Clanton’s chances of a surprise selection
As Hoggard notes, the events available to Clanton over the next few months may represent the largest hurdle he has to clear. Ultimately, it is going to be extremely difficult for him to prove himself when the large majority of the biggest names are not involved at the same tournaments.
However, there is scope for something of a wildcard on a 12-man team – particularly as the home side. And Ludvig Åberg definitely did not let Luke Donald down when he got the call up for Marco Simone.
Clanton has already finished second on a number of occasions in the early stages of his career. And there is more than enough time for him to throw a spanner in the works as Bradley continues his preparations.
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