Ryder Cup: Early Frontrunners for Team USA

Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Rickie Fowler and the rest of Team USA couldn’t get the job done at the 2014 Ryder Cup. Which players will make the trip to Hazeltine to try and find redemption?

We’re more than nine months away from next fall’s Ryder Cup, but the qualification process is already underway. The best players in the world from both sides of the pond will spend the next year toiling away in order to have a chance to represent their flag in the biennial exhibition.

Now that the PGA Tour is in the midst of its incredibly brief offseason, it seems like a natural time to take a look at some of the early frontrunners to make the trip to Hazeltine National Golf Club next September, starting with Team USA.

The top eight Americans in Ryder Cup points will qualify; they’ll be joined by four captain’s picks. Money earned during 2015 majors and WGCS and 2016 regular events counts for normal points, while winnings from 2016 majors count for double. As a result, this list of early frontrunners will feature stars who did a lot of heavy lifting in this year’s biggest events.

Of course, most of the points are still up for grabs, so the standings are subject to significant changes once the calendar turns. Still, a big head start can do wonders for a player’s chances–all on this list have at least 700 points, or one fifth of what was needed in 2014.

Without further ado, let’s go ten deep and take a look at some of the best bets to represent Team USA at the Ryder Cup next fall.

Next: Jordan Spieth