Tiger Woods, Bryson DeChambeau and Phil Mickelson given USA Ryder Cup captain's picks
Wednesday 5 September 2018 06:12, UK
USA Ryder Cup captain Jim Furyk has named Tiger Woods, Bryson DeChambeau and Phil Mickelson as his first three captain's picks for this month's contest at Le Golf National.
Woods will make his eighth Ryder Cup appearance and his first since 2012 after returning to form and fitness this season, where he has posted five top-10 finishes to move back into the world's top 30 and reach the FedExCup Play-Offs.
The former world No 1 had originally been named as a vice-captain - the same role he held at Hazeltine in 2016 - but will now be replaced in that role, with David Duval, Zach Johnson and Matt Kuchar added to Furyk's backroom team.
"We were looking for players that had played good this season and that were in good form," Furyk told the media on Tuesday. "We're heading over to Europe, where it's going to be an interesting, boisterous crowd.
"We were looking for players that would handle that situation well and would thrive and love the challenge ahead of them. In naming these three players, that's what we've done."
DeChambeau locked in his place after registering back-to-back wins at the Northern Trust and the Dell Technologies Championship, while Ryder Cup stalwart Mickelson will make his 12th consecutive appearance for Team USA.
Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson, Justin Thomas, Patrick Reed, Bubba Watson, Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler and Webb Simpson were the eight automatic qualifiers for the American team, with Furyk's picks the three immediately below them in the qualification standings.
Furyk still has one more player to name and will complete his line-up following the conclusion of the BMW Championship on September 10, with Tony Finau the favourite to get the final spot.
Watch Thomas Bjorn complete his European Ryder Cup side in a special announcement show, live on Wednesday from 2pm on Sky Sports Golf.
