Collin Morikawa Endorses Bryson DeChambeau’s Inclusion on Ryder Cup Team

Collin Morikawa Endorses Bryson DeChambeau’s Inclusion on Ryder Cup Team

Keegan Bradley recently surprised many golf fans by announcing that Bryson DeChambeau will be part of the Team USA Ryder Cup squad. This revelation comes well before the captain’s picks are finalized, adding excitement to an already charged atmosphere.

As a member of LIV Golf, DeChambeau’s path to qualifying points is limited, with earning opportunities mostly confined to major tournaments. Despite these restrictions, he has managed to secure impressive finishes: a T5 at the Masters, a T2 at the PGA Championship, a missed cut at the U.S. Open, and a T10 at last week’s Open Championship.

Currently, DeChambeau ranks fifth among U.S. golfers accruing qualifying points. The top six automatically secure a spot on the Ryder Cup team. However, he faces a challenging outlook without further opportunities to gain FedEx Cup points.

Despite these hurdles, Bradley’s decision is already made, and Collin Morikawa, currently ranked eighth in the world and a two-time Ryder Cup participant, supports the choice. Morikawa emphasized DeChambeau’s elite status, declaring that he should not be overlooked simply because he plays on a different tour.

Morikawa remarked, “He’s one of the best golfers in the world right now. You can’t skip over that just because he plays on another tour or whatever. He truly is one of the best golfers, and that’s what Keegan wants. He wants 12 of the best American golfers to be on that team. And he brings energy. Not all of us bring that type of energy; he brings a crowd of energy through YouTube, what he’s doing – shoot, I want to be on that side of the team, too.”

This strategic move appears to be a no-brainer for Bradley, who may become the first playing captain since Arnold Palmer did so in 1965.

In a message to Sports Illustrated, Bradley expressed confidence in DeChambeau’s contributions, stating, “Bryson is going to be a very important piece to us winning the Ryder Cup. He brings so much. He brings energy, passion, but most importantly, he’s one of the best players on the planet.”

DeChambeau, visibly emotional after an impressive final round where he shot a 64 to finish tied for 10th at Royal Portrush, later recounted his brief discussion with Bradley during the week. He also mentioned seeing something inspirational in their lockers, although he kept this personal message private.

Looking ahead to the Ryder Cup, which will take place in Long Island from September 26 to 28 at the iconic Bethpage Black Course, DeChambeau conveyed how much Bradley’s faith in him means. Reflecting on recent losses, he reiterated, “This year’s no joke. We’re tired of it. We’re tired of losing.”

The historical significance of the Ryder Cup is not lost on players or fans. The home team has not lost the Ryder Cup since 2012, when Team Europe staged a dramatic comeback during the Miracle at Medinah. DeChambeau did not participate in the Ryder Cup two years ago in Rome, but fellow LIV golfer Brooks Koepka received approval after finishing T2 at the Masters and winning the PGA Championship.

This Ryder Cup has become a focal point for the American team, and DeChambeau’s participation adds a layer of intrigue and strategy. With the weight of past defeats looming large, team camaraderie and support become increasingly crucial as the tournament approaches.

Team USA is preparing for a critical showdown, and the inclusion of DeChambeau could influence both performance and morale. As players train and strategize for the competition, they are fully aware that every decision counts on the path to victory.

As the September date approaches, all eyes will remain on Team USA’s preparations and the impact of Bradley’s captaincy combined with DeChambeau’s skills and energy.

Fox News’ Scott Thompson contributed to this report.

For more sports coverage from Fox News Digital, follow us on social media and subscribe to our newsletters.