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Brooks Koepka narrowly missed out on auto-qualification for the 2023 United States Ryder Cup team, but fans and members of the media still want him on the team.
Koepka finished seventh in the U.S. team points rankings, less than 30 points behind sixth-placed Xander Schauffele.
On the top six golfers automatically qualify for next month’s event Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Italy, while the other six will be chosen by team captain Zach Johnson.
The six automatic qualifiers for the United States are: Scottie Scheffler, Wyndham Clark, Brian Harman, Patrick Cantlay, Max Homa and Schauffele.
Koepka dropped behind Homa and Schauffele following this past weekend’s BMW Championship.
Koepka, who won this year’s PGA Champion, was previously a doubt for the event. But that was for different reasons after LIV Golf players had initially been barred from the event.
(The Ryder Cup is co-hosted by the PGA and DP World Tours.)
Both sides have seemingly backed off that stance since. Koepka is the only LIV golfer currently in the top 12 in the standings for either team.
Now Johnson must make a choice. Jordan Speith, Cameron Young and Collin Morikawa (7-9) are all likely picks. But that’s where things get difficult.
The (likely) final three spots will be difficult with names like Koepka, Rickie Fowler, Keegan Bradley, the struggling Justin Thomas and many more in contention.
Though it appears that both members of the media and fans have made one choice clear. They want Koepka in.
Koepka is going to fall out of the top 6 automatic qualifiers for the Ryder Cup. He's not done much since winning the PGA — but he won the PGA! And was second at the Masters.. And got that high not earning points anywhere but the majors this year
— Bob Harig (@BobHarig) August 20, 2023
"It looks like Brooks Koepka is going to be fractions out of a top-six automatic [Ryder Cup selection]…"
If the CBS projection is indeed accurate, here's hoping politics and other barriers don't keep Koepka from being one of the six captain's picks next week. Team needs him.
— Jason Sobel (@JasonSobelTAN) August 20, 2023
The Golf Channel just crossed off Koepka…if the PGA of America doesn’t pick their own champion to be on their Ryder Cup team, that would be the biggest disgrace to come from the LIV/PGA saga (even a bigger disgrace than Jay Monahan). It would be a mockery of a storied event.
— Sam Humphreys (@SamHumphreys34) August 21, 2023
Brooks Koepka falls out of an automatic pick for the Ryder Cup.
If Zach Johnson doesn’t even pick Brooks he’s beyond clueless
— PGA/LIV Hot Takes (@PGALIVHotTakes) August 21, 2023
Imagine if Zach Johnson doesn’t pick Brooks “I won the PGA Championship, finished T2 at the Masters, and finished 7th on the Ryder Cups points list playing in only 4 events” Koepka and picks Justin “missed 5 of last 8 cuts and outside top 12 on Ryder Cups point list” Thomas?
— Big Boy Pants Golf YouTube Channel (@Bigboypantsgolf) August 20, 2023
Captain’s picks will be announced on Aug. 29 and Koepka has as good a case as anyone. In addition to his PGA Championship victory, he finished in second place at The Masters. Though on the contrary, he’s struggled mightily since winning the PGA.
https://twitter.com/nosmhsnow/status/1691157770186174464
Koepka knows how to turn it on for big events. But it’s clear Johnson has a heck of a decision to make.