Pick Four
The PGA Championship marked the end of automatic qualifying for the U.S. Ryder Cup team. Eight players locked up spots (bottom), and the other four members will be selected by captain Corey Pavin on Sept. 7. Here, in order of worthiness, are the 10 Tour pros we believe are the top contenders for wild-card spots, plus where they finished in the qualifying standings.
1. Tiger Woods
He was the world's best player—note past tense—but he and his unofficial new coach, Sean Foley, will have almost a month to practice. Unless Woods declares himself unfit, he's still Pavin's best option.
Qualifying rank: 12th
2. Zach Johnson
If you're looking for someone to make an eight-footer to save the planet, the 2007 Masters champ, who has Ryder Cup experience, is your man. Also, Johnson came up big with a tie for third at the PGA.
Qualifying rank: 11th
3. Anthony Kim
Given AK's killer play in past Ryder and Presidents Cups, he's a no-brainer, but only if he can prove that he has recovered from surgery on his left thumb—and that's a big if.
Qualifying rank: 9th
4. Sean O'Hair
He's been playing better since the Canadian Open, with a top 12 in six of his last nine starts. Besides Johnson and Watson, O'Hair is the only bubble guy to collect significant Ryder Cup points in the last two months.
Qualifying rank: 18th
5. Rickie Fowler
You want this birdie machine with a history of ruthless match-play success on your team. All he needs is a top five finish in the next month to justify taking him.
Qualifying rank: 20th
6. Fred Couples
No American has been more clutch in match play. Forget that he's 50 and playing mostly on the Champions tour. He'll keep the guys loose and win his singles match, guaranteed.
Qualifying rank: 72nd
7. Stewart Cink
We love his team-player attitude, his British Open win in 2009, his Ryder Cup experience and his Tweets. We don't love that he hasn't seriously contended in 2010.
Qualifying rank: 14th
8. Ricky Barnes
He missed the cut at the PGA, but if you insist on adding another aggressive young (29) American who has a thing for weird hats, you have to go with the other Ricky.
Qualifying rank: 16th
9. Lucas Glover
He's another good team guy, but his only solid week of the season came back in May at the Players. Yes, he's a U.S. Open winner, but that seems like a million years ago.
Qualifying rank: 10th
10. Nick Watney
This promising ball-striker made a statement by building a three-shot lead through 54 holes at the PGA, but his closing 81 sent an entirely different message.
Qualifying rank: 17th
AUTOMATIC QUALIFIERS (Ryder Cup Record W-L-T)
1. Phil Mickelson
10-14-6
2. Hunter Mahan
2-0-3
3. Bubba Watson
Rookie
4. Jim Furyk
8-13-3
5. Steve Stricker
0-2-1
6. Dustin Johnson
Rookie
7. Jeff Overton
Rookie
8. Matt Kuchar
Rookie
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ROBERT BECK (WOODS)
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ROBERT BECK (BARNES)
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ROBERT BECK (MAHAN)
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SCOTT HALLERAN/GETTY IMAGES (ZACH JOHNSON)
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JOHN BIEVER (KIM)
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JOHN BIEVER (MICKELSON)
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JOHN BIEVER (WATSON)
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JOHN BIEVER (JOHNSON)
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JOHN BIEVER (KUCHAR)
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RUSS KINNAIRD/GETTY IMAGES (O'HAIR)
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DARREN CARROLL (FOWLER)
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DARREN CARROLL (COUPLES)
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DARREN CARROLL (GLOVER)
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DARREN CARROLL (FURYK)
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CARLOS M. SAAVEDRA (CINK)
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CARLOS M. SAAVEDRA (OVERTON)
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KOHJIRO KINNO (WATNEY)
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CHRIS GRAYTHEN/GETTY IMAGES (STRICKER)