Fowler Ascends up Ryder Cup Standings


Though he hasn't won since his only PGA Tour victory in the 2012 Wells Fargo Championship, Rickie Fowler is putting himself in a strong position to qualify for the 2014 U.S. Ryder Cup team.

The 25-year-old Californian has enjoyed a fine season. In 20 starts, he's logged five top-10 finishes, including runner-ups in both the U.S. Open behind Martin Kaymer and in last week's Open Championship behind winner Rory McIlroy.

Combine that for a tie for fifth in the Masters and Fowler has soared to third in the current points' standing for the biennial Ryder Cup, which will take place in late September at Gleneagles Hotel in Scotland.

Fowler has also accrued $3,192,317 in earnings so far this year, and with 1,211 points is 22nd in the FedEx Cup standings.

When asked about what he thought about his performance while playing in the final group with McIlroy last Sunday at Royal Liverpool, Fowler, who closed with a 67 to put heat on the Northern Irishman, said, "Two words to sum it up: Ryder Cup."

He added, "Going into the year the goal was to be in contention at majors and play well and have chances to win. And with the good play, the long-distance goal on that was to be on the Ryder Cup team. With the way I've played in the majors this year, that's definitely what has given me the opportunity to represent the country and play in the Ryder Cup."

The top-nine players in the standings before September will receive an automatic spot on the U.S. Ryder Cup team. Unlike in years past, 2014 captain Tom Watson will have three captain's picks - instead of the previous four - to complete the 12-man squad. American qualifying is based on the following criteria:

• Prize money earned in the 2013 major championships (Masters, U.S. Open, Open Championship, and PGA Championship): One point is awarded for every $1,000 earned; all U.S. players making the cut will earn points.

• Prize money earned in 2014 PGA Tour events, beginning October 7, 2013, at the Frys.com Open through the 2014 PGA Championship, ending August 10, 2014. One point is awarded for every $1,000 earned, excluding the major championships, events played opposite major championships and events played opposite World Golf Championships; all U.S. players making the cut will earn points.

• Prize money earned for the 2014 major championships: (Masters, U.S. Open, Open Championship, and the PGA Championship). Two points are awarded for every $1,000 earned; all U.S. players making the cut will earn points.

• Prize money earned in 2014 events played opposite the major championships and opposite World Golf Championships between January 1 and the 2014 PGA Championship - one-half point will be awarded for every $1,000 earned; all U.S. players making the cut will earn points.

The top-nine players and their point totals at the conclusion of the Open Championship include:

Bubba Watson . . . 6,828.138
Jimmy Walker . . . 5,510.205
Rickie Fowler . . . 5,403.253
Jim Furyk . . . 5,259.594
Dustin Johnson . . . 5,133.806
Jordan Spieth . . . 4,781.828
Matt Kuchar . . . 4,764.065
Jason Dufner . . . 3,516.345
Zach Johnson . . . 3,450.894

The next 10 include:

Jordan Spieth . . . 4,781.828
Matt Kuchar . . . 4,764.065
Jason Dufner . . . 3,516.345
Zach Johnson . . . 3,450.894
Patrick Reed . . . 3,301.393
Phil Mickelson . . . 3,252.839
Brendon Todd . . . 3,250.482
Chris Kirk . . . 3,226.882
Ryan Moore . . . 3,118.871
Webb Simpson . . . 3,086.070

The defending champion Europeans overcame a four-point deficit entering Sunday's singles at Medinah Country Club near Chicago to beat the Americans 14˝ to 13˝ in 2012. Their qualifying system is different than the Yanks. The top-four players in the European points make the team, and the top-five in the World points not already qualified via European points are eligible. European captain Paul McGinley then fills out his squad with his three picks.

Here's how the European team stacks up so far in points:

European Points (top four make the team):

Rory McIlroy . . . 3051298.44
Victor Dubuisson . . . 2631723.27
Jamie Donaldson . . . 2398823.78
Henrik Stenson . . . 2393504.67

World Points

Rory McIlroy . . . 358.26
Henrik Stenson . . . 346.99
Sergio Garcia . . . 317.40
Justin Rose . . . 261.33
Martin Kaymer . . . 245.87
Thomas Björn . . . 193.77
Victor Dubuisson . . . 186.97
Luke Donald . . . 162.44
Jamie Donaldson . . . 162.23
Stephen Gallacher . . . 154.44
Graeme McDowell . . . 150.93
Ian Poulter . . . 147.43
Miguel Angel Jimenéz . . . 140.61
Francesco Molinari . . . 133.44
Joost Luiten . . . 123.50