Ryder Cup captain’s picks: Potential selections, predictions, what you need to know

The time has finally come — the 2023 U.S. Ryder Cup roster will be finalized in the next 24 hours.

Nearly two years after a resounding victory at Whistling Straits, Team USA is headed to Italy next month looking to win the Ryder Cup on European soil for the first time in 30 years. Two-time major winner Zach Johnson is at the helm this time around, and he has plenty of options when it comes to filling out his roster.

Here’s what you need to know ahead of his captain’s picks on Tuesday.

Schedule

Johnson is set to make his six captain’s pick selections during a press conference at 10 a.m. ET on Tuesday at the PGA of America headquarters in Frisco, Texas.

Automatic qualifiers

Six players have already automatically qualified for Team USA as the six highest point-earners in the Ryder Cup standings. They are listed below.

Scottie Scheffler

OWGR: 1
Ryder Cup appearances: 1 (2021)
Ryder Cup record: 2-0-1
2023 season: 23 starts, two wins, 17 top 10s, 21 top 25s

Wyndham Clark

OWGR: 11
Ryder Cup appearances: None
Ryder Cup record: N/A
2023 season: 28 starts, two wins, eight top 10s, 14 top 25s

Brian Harman

OWGR: 8
Ryder Cup appearances: None
Ryder Cup record: N/A
2023 season: 27 starts, one win, seven top 10s, 13 top 25s

Patrick Cantlay

OWGR: 4
Ryder cup appearances: 1 (2021)
Ryder Cup record: 3-0-1
2023 season: 21 starts, zero wins, 10 top 10s, 16 top 25s

Max Homa

OWGR: 7
Ryder Cup appearances: None
Ryder Cup record: N/A
2023 season: 24 starts, two wins, 12 top 10s, 17 top 25s

Xander Schauffele

OWGR: 6
Ryder Cup appearances: 1 (2021)
Ryder Cup record: 3-1-1
2023 season: 22 starts, zero wins, 11 top 10s, 18 top 25s

News

Captain’s pick contenders

Johnson has six captain’s picks to fill out the remainder of his roster. Here are the top contenders.

Brooks Koepka

OWGR: 14
Ryder Cup appearances: 3 (2016, 2018, 2021)
Ryder cup record: 6-5-1
2023 season: 11 starts, one win, three top 10s (LIV Golf), PGA Championship winner

Rickie Fowler

OWGR: 25
Ryder Cup appearances: 4 (2010, 2014, 2016, 2018)
Ryder Cup record: 3-7-5
2023 season: 25 starts, one win, eight top 10s, 18 top 25s

Jordan Spieth

OWGR: 12
Ryder Cup appearances: 4 (2015, 2016, 2018, 2021)
Ryder Cup record: 8-7-3
2023 season: 22 starts, zero wins, seven top 10s, 10 top 25s

Cameron Young

OWGR: 17
Ryder Cup appearances: None
Ryder Cup record: N/A
2023 season: 22 starts, zero wins, five top 10s, nine top 25s

Collin Morikawa

OWGR: 20
Ryder Cup appearances: One (2021)
Ryder Cup record: 3-0-1
2023 season: 24 starts, zero wins, six top 10s, 11 top 25s

Justin Thomas

OWGR: 26
Ryder Cup appearances: Two (2018, 2021)
Ryder Cup record: 6-2-1
2023 season: 20 starts, three top 10s, 10 top 25s

Bryson DeChambeau

OWGR: 119
Ryder Cup appearance: Two (2018, 2021)
Ryder Cup record: 2-3-1
2023 season: 11 starts, one win, three top 10s (LIV Golf)

Keegan Bradley

OWGR: 18
Ryder Cup appearances: Two (2012, 2014)
Ryder Cup record: 4-3-0
2023 season: 23 starts, two wins, six top 10s, 10 top 25s

Sam Burns

OWGR: 22
Ryder Cup appearances: None
Ryder Cup record: N/A
2023 season: 26 starts, one win, six top 10s, 13 top 25s

Lucas Glover

OWGR: 30
Ryder Cup appearances: None
Ryder Cup record: N/A
2023 season: 28 events, two wins, five top 10s, eight top 25s

Prediction

Johnson has a plethora of enticing options for his six captain’s picks, but at the end of the day, we believe he’ll stick with experience over form as Brooks Koepka, Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa, Rickie Fowler and Camron Young get the nod. We’ll find out in less than 24 hours.