Jordan Spieth's Ryder Cup Spot in Jeopardy Despite Strong Masters Showing
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Jordan Spieth has been a mainstay on Team USA's Ryder Cup team since he first joined in 2014. He has participated in each biennial tournament since that time, with mostly positive results.
He is 8-7-3 during his five appearances. More impressive is his winning record on European soil at 5-3-1.
But with the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black closing in, Spieth finds himself nowhere near an automatic berth.
Despite some solid performances at both The Masters (tied for 14th) and the RBC Heritage (tied for 18th), the three-time major champion is 30th in the Ryder Cup rankings released on Monday.
Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas and Brian Harman of Team United States talk following the Sunday singles matches of the 2023 Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf Club on October 01, 2023 in Rome, Italy.
Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas and Brian Harman of Team United States talk following the Sunday singles matches of the 2023 Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf Club on October 01, 2023 in Rome, Italy.Only the top six players on the list automatically qualify for the Ryder Cup. Beyond that, it is up to newly elected Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley to name his six 'captain's picks.'
The latest rankings have Scottie Scheffler well ahead of the field with over 14,000 points. He is followed by Xander Schauffele, Collin Morikawa, Bryson DeChambeau and Russell Henley.
Justin Thomas, fresh off his win at the RBC Heritage, moved into the sixth and final automatic spot with 7,582 points.
There is a precipitous drop-off to seventh where Maverick McNealy sits with just over 5,700 points.
Meanwhile, Spieth has 1,979.
Suffice it to say, the 31-year-old pro needs to kick it into gear. But outside of winning an event or maybe two, it appears highly unlikely he will be able to climb so high in the rankings.
That will put it in the hands of Bradley.
Team USA will be looking to put the embarrassing shellacking from the 2023 Ryder Cup in Rome behind them this fall. Bradley will under intense scrutiny when he makes his selections.
Everyone will, of course, have their opinions. But with how consistently well McNealy has played thus far, along with Brian Harman (sits 8th), who recently won the Valero Texas Open, and a host of others that have put forth excellent seasons, it is truly an uphill climb for Jordan Spieth.
The Dallas, Texas native is still overcoming wrist surgery he underwent in the fall of 2024. That caused him to miss the entirety of the PGA Tour Fall season, and only recently has he expressed feeling close to full strength.
His results back up that sentiment, too.
Spieth has logged top 20 finishes in each of his last three events. Maybe he can continue to improve and snag his fourth major championship this year.
Speaking of, Spieth's quest at the career grand slam presents its next opportunity at the PGA Championship next month. That would surely go a long ways to convincing Bradley he is ready for war at Bethpage.
More Golf: Justin Thomas Reveals How Wife, Jill, Newborn Almost Cost him RBC Heritage
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
3 hours ago
- Newsweek
LeBron James Confirms 2028 Olympic Plan for Team USA
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Los Angeles Lakers superstar and future Hall of Famer LeBron James has done it all over the course of his legendary career. More LeBron James news: Lakers' LeBron James Provides Crucial Update on Knee Injury Now 40 years old, James has checked nearly every box imaginable. There's no denying he's much closer to the finish line than the starting point. Barring any surprises, he'll soon be entering what would be his 23rd NBA season. James' time in basketball is winding down, and with that comes a ton of speculation on when he will call his career quits. Many suspect that this upcoming season could be the final season of his career, and if it is, it will be quite the ride. The four-time champion has not only had success in the NBA but also in the international game. James has appeared in four Olympic Games and has come away with three gold medals, including one last year in the Paris Games. His NBA future is not only in question, but his Olympic future is also in doubt. James will be 43 years old by the time the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games come around, and the odds of James playing are zero. In an interview with the Hollywood Reporter, James dismissed the idea of playing in the 2028 Games. LeBron James of the United States in action during the Men's Basketball Gold medal game between France and the United States of America on day fifteen of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Bercy Arena... LeBron James of the United States in action during the Men's Basketball Gold medal game between France and the United States of America on day fifteen of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Bercy Arena on August 10, 2024 in Paris, France. More Photo by"Nothing has changed. Where we at, man, 2025 right now?" LeBron said. "Nah, nothing has changed. I mean, if I had to look at it right now through a microscope, I would say that, me being able to support Team USA for the rest of my life — that's for sure. But me actually going on and playing, I don't see it happening. I've given everything that I have, and I will always be appreciative and loyal and dedicated to Team USA and USA Basketball." Last year likely marked the end of LeBron James's storied international career—and what a run it was. James is one of just three American men to compete in at least three Olympics, joining Carmelo Anthony and Kevin Durant. That same trio also stands alone as the only U.S. players to win three Olympic gold medals. Across 79 appearances for Team USA, James tallied 1,137 points (14.4 per game), 342 rebounds (4.3), 308 assists (3.9), and 122 steals (1.5), cementing his legacy as one of the greatest to ever wear the red, white, and blue. Last season alone, James won the NBA MVP and was a part of the Olympic All-Star Five at the ripe age of 39. More NBA news: Bucks' Doc Rivers Offers Major Update on Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Rumors For more on LeBron James and general NBA news, head on over to Newsweek Sports.
Associated Press
3 hours ago
- Associated Press
Men's and women's hockey schedules for 2026 Milan Olympics released
The International Ice Hockey Federation unveiled the schedule Tuesday for the men's and women's tournaments at the 2026 Olympics in Milan and Cortina. Women's hockey starts on Feb. 5 with the U.S. against Czechia and Canada versus Finland among the opening games. The U.S. and Canada renew their rivalry in the preliminary round on Feb. 10, and the gold-medal game is set for Feb. 19. Men's hockey with the return of NHL players opens the following day with Finland facing Slovakia and host Italy against Sweden. Without Russia in the 12-team field, the U.S. is grouped with Germany, Latvia and Denmark and will play each of them in a round robin. The U.S. opens Feb. 12 against Latvia, the same day Canada faces Czechia. The NHL's best are participating for the first time since 2014 in Sochi. 'It's great that the NHL players are back in the Olympics,' U.S. general manager Bill Guerin said. 'Obviously it's the biggest sports stage in the world, and we're all happy we're back involved.' No teams are eliminated from group play on the men's side. The top four advance to the quarterfinals, with the remaining eight taking part in a qualification round. Games will take place on NHL-sized rinks at Milano Santagiulia and Milano Rho arenas. The final is scheduled for Feb. 22 as the last event of the Olympics before the closing ceremony. The schedule release came a day after the federations involved announced the first six players named to their respective rosters. The U.S. picked all skaters: forwards Matthew and Brady Tkachuk, Auston Matthews and Jack Eichel and defensemen Quinn Hughes and Charlie McAvoy. Finland is the defending Olympic champion from the Beijing bubble in 2022, when the NHL pulled out because of pandemic-related scheduling issues, and the Russians won in 2018. Canada has won the past two involving NHL players, and GM Doug Armstrong hopes for a third. 'I'm excited about our group,' Armstrong said. 'I know our group wants to go there and wants to put their best foot forward. There's no guarantees in this sport, but I know we're going to go with the right attitude.' ___ AP NHL:
New York Post
4 hours ago
- New York Post
Team USA coach Cheryl Reeve's Caitlin Clark posts were ‘stunningly bad behavior': author
Christine Brennan seemingly has a bone to pick with Cheryl Reeve. The USA Today columnist and author ripped the coach of Team USA and the WNBA's Lynx for her 'stunningly bad behavior' heading into the selection process for the 2024 Paris Olympics — specifically her treatment of then-Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark. 'How on earth is that OK with the US Olympic and Paralympic community and the USA basketball team that its coach is actively tweeting and going on social media about someone who is in the selection pool?' Brennan asked on 'The Adam Gold Show' on Monday. Advertisement 3 USA Today sports columnist Christine Brennan asks a question during an IOC press conference. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports Brennan, on the show to discuss her new book, 'On Her Game,' which examines Clark and her impact on women's sports, referenced Reeve's May 2024 post on X, which seemed to take a shot at the WNBA putting Clark on TV as a rookie while other teams didn't get nearly the same treatment. 'ALSO in action tonight – @minnesotalynx vs @chicagosky. 7 pm CST,' Reeve wrote, 'Though fans won't be able to watch, #Lynx fans can go to the Lynx app to follow along via play by play.' Advertisement Reeve's missive was hard to miss. 'Just stunningly bad behavior by Cheryl Reeve, tweeting at and about Caitlin Clark, kind of blaming her for not having Minnesota Lynx games on TV, but only Caitlin games on TV,' Brennan said. A month later, when the 12-woman Team USA roster was revealed, Clark was not on it and Reeve was at the center of questions regarding the selection process. Advertisement The coach stated at the time that she did not have a role in the selection process and selection committee chair Jen Rizzotti explained the decision came down to basketball criteria. The goal was to create the best team and not weigh in the extra viewers Clark would bring. 'When you base your decision on criteria, there were other players that were harder to cut because they checked a lot more boxes,' Rizzoitti told the AP last summer. 'Then sometimes it comes down to position, style of play for [coach] Cheryl [Reeve] and then sometimes a vote.' 3 Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve looks on against the Connecticut Sun. Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images 3 Caitlin Clark playing for the Indiana Fever. Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images Advertisement Brennan tried asking Reeve about her omission of Clark at the time, but she would not respond. Brennan herself is now without controversy, either. During the WNBA playoffs last year, Clark was hit in the eye by the Suns' DiJonai Carrington. As the incident gained national attention, Brennan asked if Carrington had intentionally hit her — which swiftly drew the ire of the WNBA players union, which sought to ban her.
