Tony Finau or Xander Schauffele: Who should secure final wildcard spot for Ryder Cup

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  • American Ryder Cup captain Jim Furyk will make his final captain’s pick after the conclusion of the BMW Championship on Sunday night (early Monday morning UAE time).

    Furyk – who last week named Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Bryson DeChambeau as three of his four picks – will compete his line-up after the PGA Tour event in Philadelphia.

    With Tony Finau and Xander Schauffele thought to be the most likely candidates to seal the final captain’s pick, we take a look at both players’ form in 2018.

    TONY FINAU

    Age: 28

    World ranking: 17
    Wins in 2018: 0
    Missed cuts: 3
    Results in majors: T10-5-T9-T42

    The American has been superb this season, with top-10 finishes in the three major events – T10 at Augusta, fifth at Shinnecock Hills and T9 at Carnoustie.

    His overall record in 2018 is rock solid, recording four top-5s, four top-10s and five top-25s in 21 starts, including second place at the Genesis Open and the Northern Trust.

    The powerful Utah man, who ranks third on the PGA Tour in driving distance (316.3 yards), continues to find his way on the big stage and would be a serious addition to the American Ryder Cup team.

    He is currently five shots off Schauffele heading into tonight’s final round of the BMW Championship. But it is unlikely that the result will bear much influence on Furyk’s thinking, unless the youngster wins in Philadelphia.

    XANDER SCHAUFFELE

    Age: 24
    World ranking: 20
    Wins in 2018: 0
    Missed cuts: 5
    Results in majors: T50-T6-T2-T35

    The PGA Tour Rookie of the Year may have finished three spots above Finau (15th) in the Ryder cup points table on the strength of his finishes at The Players (T2), the US Open (T6) and the Open Championship (T2), but his overall consistency this season has been below par in contrast to his compatriot.

    The California native has less top-10s (two to four) and top-25s (four to five) finishes than Finau, has missed more cuts (five against three) and is higher in the world rankings (20 to 17) and FedEx Cup standings (41 to 4).

    On paper, Finau would appear to be favourite for the final wildcard pick, but a case would have to be made for Schauffele’s inclusion if he was to go on to win the BMW Championship tonight.

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