At the rate American golf stars are getting hurt, Tom Watson might become a playing captain when his team tries to reclaim the Ryder Cup from Europe next month.
Sixth-ranked Matt Kuchar, already set for the roster based on qualifying points, withdrew before Thursday’s start of the PGA Championship with back spasms.
Dustin Johnson had been set for a spot before announcing last week he would taking a leave of absence through the end of the year, and the PGA Tour had to deny a report saying he was suspended after testing positive for a recreational drug.
And defending champion Jason Dufner lasted only 10 holes before walking off the course because of neck pain that has nagged him since the Masters.
Add the struggles of 14-time major champion Tiger Woods with back surgery in March and a withdrawal last Sunday due to back spasms and it seems like the Americans will be lucky to have a healthy 12-man roster for the September 26-28 showdown at Gleneagles.
“We’re falling like flies,” Watson said. “We really are.”
Watson, who missed the cut yesterday with rounds of 72 and 73, helped his cause on the eve of the tournament by naming 23rd-ranked Steve Stricker, 47, as an assistant captain. He could be called upon to play as an injury replacement any time before the Ryder Cup opening ceremony.
“All these guys are dropping like flies on our team and it is a bit scary,” Stricker said after his second-round 68.
“It doesn’t bode well for us so far, but there are a lot of good players still and guys are jockeying for position and trying to make the team.”
