Spaun and Schauffele Join Scheffler on U.S. Ryder Cup Team
The U.S. Open winner, J.J. Spaun, and two-time major champion Xander Schauffele will join world number 1 Scottie Scheffler on the U.S. team for the upcoming Ryder Cup. Spaun, after his outstanding performance, placed second in the points standings for the American team, securing his spot with his third runner-up finish of the season at the FedEx St. Jude Championship in Memphis, Tennessee. It will be his debut in the Ryder Cup. Spaun, currently eighth in the World Golf Ranking, lost to Justin Rose on the third hole of a playoff at TPC Southwind, marking the start of the FedEx Cup playoffs.For their part, Rose and Tommy Fleetwood, from the European team, have already accumulated enough points to join Rory McIlroy on the European team.
Spaun, 34, secured his first major championship by making a 64.5-foot birdie on the 72nd hole of the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club on June 15. Schauffele, for his part, won his first two majors at the PGA Championship and the Open Championship in 2024, but was affected by a rib injury at the beginning of this season. Although he hasn’t won this year, he has three top 10s and nine top 25s in 14 tour appearances. Schauffele, ranked third in the world, will participate in the Ryder Cup for the third consecutive time. His record in the event is 4-4-0, including a 1-3 mark in the U.S. team’s 16 ½ – 11 ½ defeat to the Europeans at Marco Simone Golf Club, near Rome, in 2023. Golfers ranked fourth through sixth in the U.S. points standings after this week’s BMW Championship at Caves Valley Golf Club in Owings Mills, Maryland, will also automatically qualify for the team. Russell Henley, LIV Golf League captain, Bryson DeChambeau, and Harris English, are among the top six in points.
