St. Louis — Based on a points system, the top eight players gain automatic spots on the America’s Ryder Cup team and four captains’ picks will be added.
After finishing in a tie for sixth in the 100th PGA Championship, Woodland finished 19th in the final Ryder Cup standings.
The eight players who earned automatic spots, in order of their points: Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson, Justin Thomas, Patrick Reed, Bubba Watson, Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler and Webb Simpson.
Woodland doesn’t seem to be in the conversation yet for one of the captains’ picks, but with strong finishes in the first three FedExCup playoff tournaments, he could make it happen.
“I definitely think there’s still room,” Woodland said Thursday after taking the first-round lead with a 64.
Woodland’s best previous finish at a major was tied for 12th at the 2011 PGA, so this was a significant step for him.
Now he’ll turn his attention to the FedExCup playoffs.
“That’s been as frustrating as my major record. I’ve been in the fitting, I think, for the last seven years for all the Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup’s fittings,” Woodland said. “I tried all the clothes on. I’ve seen them all, and I’ve just never had a chance to make the team. Last year, I think, was probably as close as I made, and that’s frustrating.”
Ryder Cup captain Jim Furyk said he will hold one pick until after the BMW Championship (Sept. 6-9), the third FedExCup playoff tournament.
“If there isn’t someone who just sticks out as a hot player, we’ll take the best player available,” Furyk said.
Woodland, who has made great strides in his smooth, powerful swing working with Butch Harmon, has time to become that hot player.
“I got off to a great start this year, but I made a lot of changes because of my major record,” Woodland said. “Pete Cowen and I have made a lot of changes in the short game, that was with Butch’s recommendation. I just, the short game has really held me back. I hit the ball beautifully, but to contend week in, week out, I have to get better in those areas.”
Resurgent Tiger Woods, who stormed to a second-place finish, playing his Sunday round with Woodland, likely will lock up one captains’ pick, Phil Mickelson another. Bryson DeChambeau was edged by Simpson for the final automatic spot, so he’ll receive strong consideration.
Mickelson finished 10th, Woods 11th.
The Ryder Cup points standings don’t determine anything beyond the top eight spots, but are worth looking at to see what other golfers Woodland would have to beat out. Spots 12 through 18: Xander Schauffele, Matt Kuchar, Kevin Kisner, Tony Finau, Kyle Stanley, Brian Harman and Kevin Na.
Woodland earned $334,712.50 for finishing in a tie with Thomas Pieters, Francisco Molinari and Justin Thomas at the PGA Championship.
Jon Rahm, of Spain, was the only one of five players who finished ahead of Woodland who has not won a major, and Peters, of Belgium, was the only one who tied him who is without a major.
Woodland’s winnings moved him to 32nd on the PGA Tour money list with $2,601,066, and 32nd in the FedExCup standings. He moved up to 39th in the Official World Golf Ranking.
