‘Captain America’ Reed a doubt for Ryder Cup after pneumonia fight
PATRICK REED is in hospital with pneumonia in both lungs and the man dubbed ‘Captain America’ for his Ryder Cup exploits will now need a recovery worthy of a superhero to make next month’s edition in Wisconsin. Pneumonia often follows for patients who end up in hospital with complications owing to Covid-19, but there was no mention in Reed’s statement that is what happened in this instance. It would seem he is paying the price for a frantic summer schedule that saw him play seven tournaments in eight weeks, including a trans-Atlantic trip to The Open followed by a trans-Pacific one to the Olympics. ‘I’m on the road to recovery,’ Reed said. ‘Once I’m cleared, I look forward to returning.’ When the FedEx Cup play-offs began last week, the 31-year-old was ninth in the US Ryder Cup standings and well placed to make a run at claiming one of the six automatic spots. Even if he didn’t make it, no one expected him to be missing from captain Steve Stricker’s six wildcards. After missing last week’s event, Reed has also withdrawn from the second FedEx play-off tournament tomorrow, meaning he can’t qualify automatically. Only the top 30 in the season-long FedEx race go on to the finale, the Tour Championship in Atlanta next week, with Reed 26th. Even if he stays in the top 30, which is unlikely, it seems improbable the medics would clear him to play. That would leave Stricker, who will announce his selections after the Tour Championship, with the dilemma of naming someone recovering from an acute respiratory infection for the most draining tournament of the year, having not played for a month. It’s looking better for Tony Finau, who knocked the Olympic gold medallist Xander Schauffele out of the last automatic spot with his first victory in 1,975 days at Liberty National in New York on Monday. World No 1 Jon Rahm finished third but England’s Ian Poulter, Tyrrell Hatton and Matt Fitzpatrick all failed to make the top 70 who will play on this week, so will complete their Ryder Cup preparations at the BMW PGA Championship next month. Among those moving on to Maryland are Lee Westwood and Paul Casey, who are 46th and 54th in the FedEx standings. Rory McIlroy is 28th.