Ryder Cup: PGA of America makes right call expanding captain’s picks

On Wednesday, it was announced that United States Ryder Cup captain Steve Stricker will now have six captain’s picks

With all of the changes to the PGA Tour schedule in 2020, nothing is the same this year. And that includes the Ryder Cup selection process for the American team, led by captain Steve Stricker, which was altered by the PGA of America on Wednesday.

Steve Stricker will see the number of his captain’s picks increase from four to six for this season, due to the schedule changes. This will allow Stricker more flexibility in the selection process.

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These changes will also let more players have a shot at making the Ryder Cup team, despite the limited number of opportunities to play on the tour in the coming months. This will allow players who are further down the standings to have a chance at still making the team.

So, for example, a player like Jordan Spieth, who is currently 17th in the standings, will now have a chance to make the team via a captain’s pick. Spieth would have been forced to have a huge summer if not for this change.

Currently, the top six players in the United States’ Ryder Cup standings are Brooks Koepka Dustin Johnson, Patrick Reed, Gary Woodland, Xander Schauffele and Webb Simpson. Immediately following are Justin Thomas, Tiger Woods, Tony Finau, Matt Kuchar, Bryson DeChambeau and Patrick Cantlay.

This is the right move for a couple of reasons

First, players who elected to start their seasons slowly, then play in the spring, will have more of a chance to make the team. They will not be penalized, necessarily, for not playing early.

Secondly, having six captain’s picks will allow Stricker to perhaps take a chance on someone who gets hot just before the event. For example, if Phil Mickelson, who is currently 27th in the standings, gets hot, Stricker might elect to take a flyer on him because of his Ryder Cup experience.

Making this decision now also lets the players know what their target needs to be as the tour resumes this week with the Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial Country Club. Players can adjust their schedules, as needed, to give themselves the best possible chance to make the team.

The United States has won only one of the past five Ryder Cups, so the Americans are clearly in need of a boost. Perhaps this is the formula to gain a win in the event.

The PGA of America made the right decision here for the 2020 event. Perhaps this decision can help lead to a United States’ victory and reclaiming the cup.