US Ryder Cup captain Zach Johnson was always going to upset a host of worthy competitors when naming his final six players for the tournament set for Rome next month.
Here is a look at some the players left out of the 12-man squad, including a desperately unlucky Cam Young and Keegan Bradley.
Johnson, a double Major winner, had to trim his final six players to go with the half a dozen already qualified, and missed some big names on the cart path. He was in a tough position because the US team without the likes of Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa just had to be included based on their previous Ryder Cup experience.
Sam Burns, at 27, is the one slight surprise, but he has won the 2023 WGC Dell-Technologies Matchplay event.
Cam Young was seen as a dead cert a month ago when vice-captain Fred Couples said on his own show that the 27-year-old player would make the cut.
Young had a solid 2023, finishing in the top 10 at both the Masters and the Open, but was bizarrely dropped in spite of Couples’ comments.
Johnson said of the omission, "It did keep me up at night having to make those phone calls, specifically Cam [Young]. Phenomenal player, better person. He was nothing but pure class."
Bradley admitted to being ‘super bummed’ at missing out, and he may have a case, after victories at the ZOZO Championship and the Travellers.
"I thought I had a really good year," he told Golf Channel on hearing the news.
Two massive players left out are LIV players former world number one Dustin Johnson and big hitter and Bryson DeChambeau.
Lucas Glover, a 2009 US Open winner thought he had a good chance after back-to-back wins at the Wyndham Championship and the St. Jude Championship, but just finished short. This could be the 43-year old’s last chance to make the Ryder Cup.
Another unlucky player is LIV golfer Taylor Gooch, who win three events this year, but the Saudi-backed league is not as high on Johnson’s radar. Another LIV golfer, though not high on the list, to miss out is Patrick Reed, who boasts an impressive 7-3-2 record in the tourney.
But Johnson selected the tried and tested with Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas, Brooks Koepka, Collin Morikawa, Rickie Fowler and Matchplay specialist and Rookie Max Burns. The seven players missing out will be sore, but not outrage, considering the strong US team.
