Here are the top-25 players hoping to make the trip to Louisville, Kentucky and Valhalla Golf Club for the Ryder Cup Matches this September:
(Present rank, last week's ranking, player and points)
- (1) Tiger Woods, 4,366.627
- (2) Jim Furyk, 1,773.913
- (3) Zach Johnson, 1,525.483
- (4) Steve Stricker, 1,311.769
- (74)J.B. Holmes, 1,176.660
- (5) D.J. Trahan, 1,062.805
- (6) Stewart Cink, 971.105
- (7) Justin Leonard, 952.520
- (37) Phil Mickelson, 927.250
- (8) Jerry Kelly, 885.631
- (9) Woody Austin, 880.396
- (10) Joe Durant, 800.073
- (11) Hunter Mahan, 785.355
- (14) Boo Weekley, 708.772
- (12) Troy Matteson, 686.453
- (13) Scott Verplank, 566.875
- (16) Charles Howell III, 560.639
- (15) David Toms, 518.173
- (33) Kevin Sutherland, 517.144
- (18) Tom Pernice, Jr., 483.605
- (80) Charles Warren, 478.953
- 30) Brandt Snedeker, 474.310
- (25) Kenny Perry, 446.680
- (46) Kevin Na, 445.343
- (19) Anthony Kim, 445.216
A look at how far J.B. Holmes jumped after his win at the FBR Open, Phil Mickelson with his 2nd place finish, and Charles Warren with a good finish, is demonstrative of just how fluid the rankings are this far out.
Still yet, there are some names it’s good to see there. Aside from the players we know will be at Valhalla, like Woods, Furyk, Mickelson, Johnson and a few others, there’s people like Kenny Perry.
Perry is a seasoned veteran. He’s a tough competitor and he’s playing terrific golf. Plus, he’s motivated to make the team and play in the Ryder Cup in his home state, Kentucky.
The same goes for J.B. Holmes. Though not a veteran when measured by the standard of Kenny Perry, Holmes also has the same motivation to make the team; he’s from the Bluegrass State. His competitive spirit was shown after he sank the putt that sank Mickelson on the first playoff hole last Sunday.
Boo Weekley is another tough competitor. He may not know where he stands in the Ryder Cup rankings, or even realize the importance of the Ryder Cup to the game of golf, but that may make him a better choice than most. He’s playing well and performed admirably at the Omega Mission Hills World Cup in China over the holidays.
Everyone knows how competitive Justin Leonard can be and he’s showing lately that he still has the game. He’s not old by any stretch, but he had been in an extended slump. He’s emerged with a game as good as it’s ever been.
Others now in the top-25, for example, Woody Austin, David Toms, Jerry Kelley, Stewart Cink and Steve Stricker, are all fantastic competitors.
Players with the strong desire to win, and playing great golf through to the August 11, 2008 deadline, are what the American Ryder Cup team needs to pull out a victory. Of course, the Europeans will be working off the same assumption, as well.
For more rankings and standings, and a J.B. Holmes profile, visit the Suite 101 Weekly PGA Tour Standings Index.
