Casey is a headache for both Ryder Cup captains
THIS new last-minute wildcard for the US Ryder Cup team was destined to find the hottest player in the FedEx Cup play-offs.
Right now, that player is Paul Casey.
The situation is not making Davis Love’s job any easier. But it doesn’t help Darren Clarke, either, because Casey was never eligible for selection, having resigned his European Tour membership.
I have followed Paul’s career closely ever since he was growing up near me in Surrey, and I have never doubted his ability.
He has finished runner-up in the last two events in the FedEx playoffs and it’s taken the best golf of Rory McIlroy and Dustin Johnson to beat him.
Regardless of whether we end up winning or losing the Ryder Cup, Europe’s team is weakened by not having an on-form Paul Casey in it.
Paul is a great matchplayer, winning at Wentworth and being runner-up in the WGC version. He’s also been in two winning Ryder Cup teams.
Some might think his decision to focus solely on the PGA Tour is selfish. But he’s flying high in the top 20 in the World Rankings and is in with a chance of the FedEx Cup jackpot.
Paul has suffered injuries, loss of form and a marriage break-up which contributed to a nosedive in his career.
Now he’s remarried with a young family and back on song on the course. He’s desperate to make the most of this second chance.
He didn’t think he could risk playing five European Tour events to jeopardise this equilibrium he has found and that is Paul’s prerogative.
If the Ryder Cup had been next year, he might have felt in a position to make a big effort to qualify.
As it is, the European team has been known for a few weeks, but this last-minute wildcard for the Americans has added real intrigue.
Last Sunday, Love opted for JB Holmes, Matt Kuchar and Rickie Fowler as his first three picks. But the big surprise was the omission of Bubba Watson.
He is a two-time Masters Champion and is seventh in the World Rankings. However, that hides a number of issues.
Bubba is only 24th in the FedEx standings and the Americans see that as a more accurate barometer of form than the rankings.
Plus, he has not had a top-10 finish since March, so he is woefully out of form.
His poor Ryder Cup record does him few favours either. Something else Davis will have considered is who Bubba could partner.
That is a difficult one because Watson has such an idiosyncratic game – no-one else plays remotely like him. Put simply, he doesn’t see golf in straight lines like most players.
Others have suggested that he’s not a team player and is an unpopular figure. But I don’t buy that.
Bubba could still make the team if he wins or comes close at the Tour Championship. But if not, it would be a bad move to pick him.
With only one rookie in Brooks Koepka, there’s certainly room for another one in the US team. At the moment, one feels like too few, while six seems a lot for Europe.
But we saw what a positive impact Patrick Reed and Jordan Spieth had for the US at Gleneagles.
The Tour Championship has effectively turned into a shoot-out for that 12th spot. The coded message we’ve had is that whoever plays best at East Lake will make the team.
I’ll be watching the likes of Ryan Moore, Justin Thomas and Kevin Chappell to see what they can produce under pressure.
The player who has a strong week and shows real mental fortitude could turn out to be a real asset at Hazeltine the following week.