Jim Furyk Must Reward Xander Schauffele For His Brilliant BMW Championship Form With The Final Ryder Cup Wildcard

Jim Furyk Must Reward Xander Schauffele For His Brilliant BMW Championship Form With The Final Ryder Cup Wildcard
13:53, 10 Sep 2018

The American Ryder Cup captain Jim Furyk has a difficult decision on his hands as he prepares to name his final wildcard pick for the USA team on Monday night and Xander Schauffele has given him an almighty nudge with a strong showing at the BMW Championship.

Furyk was due to name his final wildcard pick to take on Europe from 28-30 September at the conclusion of the BMW Championship on Sunday evening but persistent rain has meant that the tournament at Aronimink Golf Club has been delayed and will be completed on Monday instead, with Schauffele very handily placed after 54 holes.

The 24-year-old goes into the final day one shot off the clubhouse leader, Justin Rose, and in a share of second place with Rory McIlroy. Schauffele, who finished 12th on the Ryder Cup points list, could make an overwhelming case for inclusion in the Ryder Cup team if he could pick up a third career win on the main tour. It has been a timely return to form for Schauffele, who tied for 2nd at both The Players Championship and The Open this year before his results tailed off somewhat.

After naming Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Bryson DeChambeau as his first three wildcards last week, Furyk will complete his twelve-man team with an announcement on Monday night.

Experts on social media are suggesting that the big-hitting Tony Finau is in pole position for a captain's pick after finishing in 15th place on the Ryder Cup points list. The 28-year-old, who won the Puerto Rico Open in 2016, has twice been a runner-up this year - at the Genesis Open and the recent Northern Trust - and he heads into the final day of the BMW Championship in a share of 15th place.

One of Xander Schauffele or Tony Finau look set to make their Ryder Cup debut and it would be something of a left-field choice if Furyk were to divert away from those two for his final wildcard selection.

Matt Kuchar, who has played a part in every Ryder Cup since 2010, definitely won't be in the team as he has been named as a vice-captain, along with Davis Love III, Steve Stricker and David Duval.

Brandt Snedeker might harbour an outside chance of making the team as he shot a brilliant 59 to win the Wyndham recently and he has won four points from his two previous Ryder Cup appearances, although a pair of 71's at Aronimink may have put paid to his hopes of representing his country for a third time.

Finally, Bill Haas, who has played a part in three winning Presidents Cup teams, might have been a decent shout for a Ryder Cup spot not too long ago but the 36-year-old has missed 10 cuts in 22 starts in 2018, leaving Furyk with a difficult choice between Schauffele and Finau on Monday.

USA are the current holders of the Ryder Cup after winning 17-11 at Hazeltine two years ago, although they are bidding to win on European soil for the first time since their success at The Belfry in 1993.

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