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USA confirms eight for Ryder Cup, door still open for Tiger

Tiger Woods teeing off
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US Ryder Cup captain Jim Furyk unveiled the first eight members of his squad Monday, with the potential of a captain’s pick remaining to add Tiger Woods to the lineup.

Furyk confirmed spots next month in France for Jordan Spieth, Bubba Watson, Webb Simpson and Rickie Fowler from US qualifying settled after Sunday’s PGA Championship final round.

Four others who previously clinched positions were top-ranked Dustin Johnson, reigning Masters champion Patrick Reed, third-ranked 2017 PGA winner Justin Thomas and second-ranked Brooks Koepka, this year’s PGA Championship and US Open winner.

Furyk will make four captain’s picks in early September, potentially including Woods, before the Americans defend the trophy against Europe at Le Golf National near Paris on September 28-30.

The US captain has previously singled out Woods as a potential captain’s pick.

And the former world number one strengthened his case for inclusion in the team with a second place finish in the PGA Championship.

The 14-time major champion, eight months into his comeback following spinal fusion surgery, fired a six-under-par 64 in the final round at Bellerive Country Club to finish second to two-time US Open champion Koepka by two shots.

Woods has already been selected as non-playing vice captain of the Ryder Cup team.

“I do want to be on the team as a player,” Woods said at the PGA Championship. “I’m going to be there either way.”

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