AKRON, Ohio (AP) - With just over a month remaining to qualifying for the Presidents Cup, this is shaping up as a new American team.
Charley Hoffman's playoff loss in the Canadian Open moved him to No. 10 in the standings, which is based on FedEx Cup points. That gives the U.S. team five players from the top 10 who have never competed in a Presidents Cup or a Ryder Cup. The others are Justin Thomas (No. 3), Daniel Berger (No. 4), Kevin Kisner (No. 7) and Kevin Chappell (No. 9). U.S. Open champion Brooks Koepka is No. 5 and has never played the Presidents Cup, though he played the Ryder Cup last fall.
U.S. captain Steve Stricker could see this coming.
He was an assistant to Davis Love III at Hazeltine last year. Thomas and Berger were invited to play the Minnesota course ahead of the final picks, though neither of them was chosen.
"You could see the change there, even though some of them didn't play," Stricker said. "You can see the movement is definitely going to younger, powerful players."
Right behind them is a blend of experience (Patrick Reed, Jason Dufner, Brandt Snedeker) and new (Brian Harman, Gary Woodland). The top 10 players qualify after the Dell Technologies Championship on Sept. 4.
That could have a bearing on how Stricker uses his captain's picks.
"It concerns me a little bit that we have a lot of rookies," he said. "But it also excites me what I'm seeing from them. They're very courageous, they're feisty, they're making clutch putts when they have to. It just shows a lot of guts. These guys are playing well and showing a little attitude when they're doing it, which is nice to see, especially in match play."
Phil Mickelson has dropped to No. 17. His best finish this year was reaching the quarterfinals of the Dell Technologies Match Play. Mickelson has never missed a Presidents Cup or a Ryder Cup since 1994, and he had to rely on a captain's pick for only the second time in his career in 2015. He went 3-0-1 for the week.
III
DAVID FEHERTY, WHO brings comic relief and analysis to golf on NBC and Golf Channel, is coping with tragedy. Feherty revealed Tuesday on Twitter his oldest son, Shey, died of a drug overdose Saturday.
"My first born son is gone from me, dying from an overdose on his 29th birthday. Bless his sweet heart, I will fight on," Feherty tweeted.
A funeral service was held Tuesday in Dallas.
"Our deepest condolences go out to David Feherty and his family on the passing of his oldest son, Shey," Golf Channel said in a statement. "Family means everything to David, and his Golf Channel, NBC Sports and extended television family send their love and support at this difficult time."