American captain Davis Love has indicated he has already reached a decision on who his four wild card selections will be for next month’s Ryder Cup.
Hunter Mahan, Steve Stricker, Rickie Fowler and Jim Furyk are thought to be the likely candidates.
Tiger Woods, Jason Dufner, Webb Simpson, Matt Kuchar, Bubba Watson, Phil Mickelson, Zach Johnson and Keegan Bradley have already qualified for the USA team.
Love, talking about Fowler and Watson’s performance at Celtic Manor two years ago, said:
“They had a lot of fun – they loosened up our team.
“Obviously Bubba and Rickie go well together in everything they do, on and off the golf course.”
Love continued: “We are going to need some guys with experience, that’s obvious.
“When you look at our top 15 or 20, some names obviously jump out at you – like Hunter has won twice this year.
“Hard to believe he didn’t get in there on points with the year he’s had.”
The USA are 5/4 with bookmaker to win the Ryder Cup next month, Europe are 4/5 and a tie is 11/1.