The 2012 U.S. Ryder Cup team has eight automatic spots on the roster. They’re now filled.
After the 94th PGA Championship was completed on Kiawah Island on Sunday, every spot on the upcoming Ryder Cup squad was nailed down, with the following eight locked in:
- Tiger Woods
- Phil Mickelson
- Bubba Watson
- Webb Simpson
- Jason Dufner
- Matt Kuchar
- Keegan Bradley
- Zach Johnson
With the nod once again, Mickelson has now made it for a U.S. record ninth time. Woods is on the team for his seventh tour of duty while Dufner, Bradley and Simpson are all making their debuts, according to RyderCup.com.
“Ryder Cup means everything,” Bradley said. “It’s going to be a real challenge for me that week to stay calm and not get too excited. It’s a great event. I can’t wait to play.”
Watson, the 2012 Masters champion, is equally happy to be on the team.
“It means a lot,” Watson said. “Any time you can put the stars and stripes on your sleeve and play some golf, this is the closest I’ll get to the military, so for me it’s all about representing our country and playing some golf and hopefully win it. But all in all, just like the athletes in the Olympics, all you’re trying to do is represent your country well and show people some exciting golf.”
Watson and company will have that chance starting Sept. 28 at Medinah Country Club.
