By Torleif Sorenson on 9/2/14

Below is the player roster for the 2014 United States Ryder Cup team, as finalized on Tuesday evening, September 2, 2014. The top nine positions qualified on points; U.S. captain Tom Watson's three wildcard selections are in positions 10-12 (green background).

Keegan Bradley told the gathered the press that he feels that his game, which includes a high ball-flight and long distance, is well-suited to Gleneagles. Bradley also may have helped his cause by making a special trip to Gleneagles to play the course with Watson. The Massachusetts native will play on his second consecutive Ryder Cup team.

Captain Watson spoke highly of Hunter Mahan's record in match play, but obviously winning The Barclays a week ago boosted his profile tremendously. Mahan also spoke of the devastating feeling of being part of a losing Ryder Cup team in Wales in 2010.

Watson also was impressed with Webb Simpson's performance at the Greenbrier and his overall drive to make the team. Watson also spoke of Simpson's strong stretch last autumn — and his desire to make up for 2012 at Medinah, where he went 2-2-0.

The average world ranking of Team USA is 16th, compared to 19th for Team Europe. Both teams have three rookies, but all three Americans made the team on points, whereas Stephen Gallacher was one of Paul McGinley's wildcard selections this morning.

However, we must point out that four of the top five in the Official World Golf Ranking will play for Europe: Rory McIlroy (1), Henrik Stenson (3), Sergio García (4), and Justin Rose (5). In contrast, the top-ranked American, Jim Furyk is 7th.

World Rank Player   Age   Previous Teams (wins in bold)   Ryder Cup   record # of   Majors   7 Jim Furyk 44 1997, 1999, 2002 2004, 2006, 2008 2010, 2012 9-17-4 1 8 Matt Kuchar 36 2006, 2008 3-2-2 0 9 Bubba Watson 35 2010, 2012 3-5-0 2 10 Phil Mickelson 44 1995, 1997, 1999 2002, 2004, 2006 2008, 2010, 2012 14-18-6 5 11 Rickie Fowler 25 2010 0-1-2 0 14 Jordan Spieth 21 (rookie) 0 15 Zach Johnson 38 2006, 2008, 2012 6-4-1 1 19 Jimmy Walker 35 (rookie) 0 27 Patrick Reed 24 (rookie) 0 23 Keegan Bradley 28 2012 3-1-0 1 20 Hunter Mahan 32 2008, 2012 3-2-3 0 32 Webb Simpson 29 2012 2-2-0 1

 

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