By all accounts, Team USA has just about drawn on everything, from songs of the old west to séances in the shadows of Mount Rushmore, to change their fortunes in the Ryder Cup.
The Task Force which was set up in the wake of yet another crippling defeat in the biennial battle with Europe at Gleneagles two years ago have had plenty of input over the last few months and the final part of the grand plan is now set to take place.
Davis Love III’s eight automatic qualifiers for next month’s clash at Hazeltine were confirmed on Sunday night. Now, all those involved in this American dream team – from captain, vice-captains and players – have to pick the final four over the course of the next few weeks.
“Now it’s time for this top eight to take ownership of this team,” said Love III. “These eight guys need to pick four more. From No. 1 to No. 8 they need to take ownership of this team.”
Patrick Reed made the biggest leap at the weekend in the final counting event at The Barclays when he took advantage of Rickie Fowler’s late collapse to win and jump from eighth to fourth on the automatic list.
Fowler is now one of those looking for a wild card, along with the likes of Bubba Watson, Matt Kuchar and Jim Furyk. Love III will announce three of his four picks after the BMW Championship on September 12 before completing his line up with the final addition after the Tour Championship the week before the Ryder Cup itself.
“Rickie is trending up, that’s the great thing and he’s going into some tournaments that really suit him," Love III said. "He’s starting to make some putts and he’s confident with his game.
“There are lot of things to measure. Guys who get hot these next two weeks are the guys we’re looking at. It’s going to be an interesting two weeks.”
On the domestic front, meanwhile, Bearsden’s Ewen Ferguson, has made the leap into the paid ranks and will make his debut as a professional at this week’s Cordon Golf Open on the European Challenge Tour.
The 20-year-old, who won the Boys’ Amateur Championship in 2013 and helped GB&I to Walker Cup victory at Royal Lytham last year, has signed with the well-known Scottish management group Bounce Sports.
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