Collin Morikawa, the eighth-ranked golfer and a two-time Ryder Cup participant, has publicly endorsed the inclusion of Bryson DeChambeau on the Team USA Ryder Cup team, despite the controversy surrounding DeChambeau’s LIV Golf affiliation. Morikawa, speaking to Fox News Digital, emphasized that DeChambeau’s status as one of the best golfers in the world should not be overlooked merely because of his choice to play for LIV Golf. He stated, ‘You can’t skip over that just because he plays on another tour or whatever,’ highlighting the importance of selecting the best players regardless of their tour affiliations.
Keegan Bradley, the U.S. Ryder Cup captain, made a surprise announcement earlier this week by confirming DeChambeau’s inclusion in the team ahead of the official captain’s picks. This decision has sparked significant discussions in the golf community about the implications of LIV Golf’s impact on player eligibility. Unlike PGA Tour players, LIV Golf members can only earn qualifying points through the majors, which presents limited opportunities for them to accumulate points and qualify for major events. Despite these constraints, DeChambeau has managed to secure a strong position in the qualifying points standings, currently ranked fifth among U.S. golfers, which automatically qualifies him for the Ryder Cup team.
DeChambeau’s recent performance highlights his ability to compete at the highest level, earning a T5 at Augusta National, a T2 at the PGA Championship, a missed cut at the U.S. Open, and a T10 at the Open Championship. His consistent performances, despite the challenges posed by the LIV Golf structure, have not gone unnoticed. Morikawa acknowledges the difficulty of staying within the top six without additional FedEx Cup opportunities, but he remains convinced that Bradley’s decision is the right one for the team’s success.
The move by Bradley to include DeChambeau was seen as a no-brainer, given the potential for a historic victory. Bradley, who could become the first playing captain since Arnold Palmer in 1965, has expressed his confidence in DeChambeau’s abilities. ‘Bryson is going to be a very important piece to us winning the Ryder Cup,’ Bradley stated in a text to Sports Illustrated. ‘He brings so much. He brings energy, passion, but most importantly, he’s one of the best players on the planet.’
DeChambeau, who has experienced a resurgence in form, recently spoke with reporters after a strong comeback in his final round at Royal Portrush, where he shot a 64 to finish tied 10th. He mentioned a brief conversation with Bradley during the week, which was described as ‘personal,’ and he noted the inspirational message he found in the locker room, which kept him motivated. DeChambeau expressed that Bradley’s trust in him was a significant factor, as the U.S. team aims to reverse its recent losses to Europe, particularly after the 2023 Ryder Cup victory in Italy.
The upcoming Ryder Cup, set to take place on Long Island from September 26 to 28 at theBethpage Black Course, is considered a pivotal event for the U.S. team, which has not lost a Ryder Cup since 2012. DeChambeau’s inclusion in the team is seen as a strategic move, especially with the U.S. looking to capitalize on the momentum from the recent European victory. As the Ryder Cup approaches, the golf community is eagerly anticipating the results and the impact DeChambeau will have on the team’s performance.