Ryder Cup 2023: Rickie Fowler Shines and Positions Himself for the U.S. Team with Victory at Rocket Mortgage Classic
After his impressive victory at the Rocket Mortgage Classic, Rickie Fowler has put himself in contention for a spot on the 2023 United States Ryder Cup team. The biennial event will take place in Rome this September, and Fowler is determined to secure his place among the top American golfers. Fowler's recent performance has been outstanding, with strong showings at major tournaments and consistent top-10 finishes in his last four events. He has climbed to No. 35 in the Official World Golf Rankings and an even more significant No. 10 in the Data Golf rankings. Statistically, his game has been better than all but a few American players, including Scottie Scheffler, Brooks Koepka, Patrick Cantlay, and Xander Schauffele.
Despite his impressive play, Fowler found himself outside the automatic qualifying spots for the U.S. Ryder Cup team, ranked 16th. However, his victory at the Detroit Golf Club has changed the game for him. With the substantial prize money earned and the boost in rankings, Fowler is expected to secure a spot within the top 12 in the Ryder Cup standings. Winning the Rocket Mortgage Classic was not only a validation of Fowler's abilities but also a demonstration of his clutch performance. Making birdies on the final two holes to seal the victory further solidified his position as a deserving candidate for the Ryder Cup team. Considering Fowler's recent achievements, it would be surprising if he were not included in the U.S. Ryder Cup team. Let's take a look at the current top 15 players in the standings and their estimated Ryder Cup points based on the Rocket Mortgage results: RANK PLAYER POINTS 1 Scottie Scheffler 25,091 2 Wyndham Clark 13,166 3 Brooks Koepka 9,362 4 Xander Schauffele 8,353 5 Patrick Cantlay 8,328 6 Max Homa 7,650 7 Keegan Bradley 7,421 8 Jordan Spieth 7,299 9 Collin Morikawa 7,116 10 Cam Young 6,856 11 Sam Burns 6,727 12 Rickie Fowler 6,673 13 Justin Thomas 6,346 14 Denny McCarthy 6,021 15 Kurt Kitayama 5,691 Fowler expressed his desire to be part of the Ryder Cup team and emphasized the significance of the event. With upcoming tournaments like the Scottish Open and The Open, where he has historically performed well, Fowler has an excellent opportunity to solidify his spot on the team. Having previously participated in four Ryder Cups, he understands the importance of the event and the pride that comes with representing his country. As for the other players who are likely to secure their spots, Scottie Scheffler and Wyndham Clark are expected to make the team comfortably. Brooks Koepka, despite some uncertainties due to his standing with the Premier Golf League, is likely to be selected as well. Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay are almost certain to secure their places based on their consistent performances. The final spots on the team are still up for grabs, with players like Max Homa, Keegan Bradley, Jordan Spieth, and Collin Morikawa battling for positions. The captain's selections will also play a crucial role in determining the team composition. With only a limited number of tournaments left before the captain makes the final picks, the competition among the players is intense. Read the full article
