It is, what, 5 days into the summer and we’ve already completed all Signature Events and 3 of the 4 majors?!? The FedEx Cup Playoffs are only a few weeks away, the season is slipping by quickly, so let’s hit the high points of the season so far.
The PGA Tour heads up to Motown this week for the newly-christened Rocket Classic. Formerly known as the Quicken Loans National, then the Rocket Mortgage Classic, now they’ve bestowed a moniker we all recognize as a leader in your debt-crippling portfolio.
Six former Bulldogs are playing this week: Kevin Kisner, Chris Kirk, Davis Thompson, Greyson Sigg, Keith Mitchell, and Will Chandler. In the 6 previous iterations of this tourney, at least one Dawg has finished in the top 10 every year except the inaugural 2019. Davis Thompson tied for 2nd last year, which propelled him to his first Tour win just a couple of weeks later at the John Deere.
There have been a handful of Bulldog wins on the PGA Tour so far in 2025, with Sepp Straka, Harris English, Brian Harman, and Russell Henley all getting into the winners circle. Plus a LOT of close calls and top 10s (3 top 10s last week at the Travelers including T2, 5th, and 8th). Not only does this bode well for getting Red and Black into the playoffs in August, it also means the autumn Ryder Cup will have some representation from God’s Country.
On the US side, the top 6 players in points automatically qualify for the team and the captain, recent winner Keegan Bradley, picks 6 more golfers of his liking. Currently, Russell Henley is in 4th place, Harris English is in 10th, and Brian Harman is 12th.
While not a complete shoe-in, smart money is on Russell Henley to make the American squad. Not only is he likely to be an automatic qualifier, he has played great golf this year. He’s made 12 of 14 cuts, and 8 of those are top 10 finishes including a win at the difficult Bay Hill. He also earned a lot of praise from his 2024 President’s Cup teammate and world #1 Scottie Scheffler, who no doubt will push to pick him.
Harris English has made 14 of 16 cuts, also 8 top 25s, 3 top 10s, and a win. Brian Harman has similar results with 15 cuts made, 3 top 10s and a win. The British Open and first round of the playoffs will go a long way to determining the captain’s choices for the late September competition at Bethpage.
So chances are good that there’s a Bulldog in the Ryder Cup. And Sepp Straka is why there’s an almost certainty of at least 2, and representing both sides. Because the Austrian by way of Valdosta is 6th in European team rankings, and that is on an absolutely stacked list: McIlroy, Fleetwood, Hatton, Aberg, Hovland, two Hojgaards, Rose, and a host of others.
In terms of the playoffs, things are getting interesting. The four former ‘Dawgs mentioned above are all top 20 in FedEx points and can make their travel arrangements in advance. Brendon Todd and Kevin Kisner are both 200+ in points and have almost no chance (outside of a win) to get into the post-season.
Will Chandler (rookie) and Greyson Sigg are at 147 and 144 respectively – they need to start stacking top 25s and top 10s. Chris Kirk is at 101 – just outside the top 100 needed to get into the playoffs. Davis Thompson is at 68 and Keith Mitchell at 59 – both are very likely inside the number but could still use a little boost.
So that’s a little summer status update. If you can tear your eyes away from Kirby’s “Go Dawgs!” tweets when he lands another 4 star, you can tune into the golf and watch Bulldogs chasing little white balls. As always…
GO ‘DAWGS!!!