Xander Schauffele aims to prevent a first-time absence from the Tour Championship
Xander Schauffele, a consistent performer in the FedEx Cup, is facing a new challenge after missing out on the Tour Championship for the first time in his career. The American golfer is currently ranked outside the top 30 in the FedEx Cup standings, having finished tied for 31st at the BMW Championship.
Before the BMW Championship, Schauffele was in a precarious position, needing at least a solo 21st place finish to secure a spot in the Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club. However, his performance at Caves Valley was not enough to make the cut, ending his streak of eight consecutive appearances.
In previous years, Schauffele had consistently finished inside the top 15 in the FedEx Cup. His victory at the Tour Championship in 2019 was a testament to his form. But this year, he finds himself trying to get back into good form, currently ranked at No. 43.
Meanwhile, in the Ryder Cup standings, Keegan Bradley is currently ranked at No. 10. The U.S. captain is considering a bold move by picking himself as the first playing captain in more than 60 years. Justin Thomas is ranked at No. 7, while Xander Schauffele has clinched a spot on the U.S. team for the Ryder Cup.
Patrick Cantlay won the BMW Championship at Caves Valley in 2021 in a thrilling playoff against Bryson DeChambeau. The BMW Championship, the final tournament before the top six players in the U.S. Ryder Cup standings qualify for the team, serves as the first of two weeks for American golfers to audition for the Ryder Cup.
The BMW Championship is not just a prestigious tournament; it also determines the FedEx Cup title and guarantees a spot in three of the four majors. This year, the course at Caves Valley has been extended to 7,601 yards, and two par 5s have been converted to par 4s, adding an extra layer of challenge for the players.
The Ryder Cup, scheduled for Sept. 26-28 at Bethpage Black, promises to be an exciting event. Rory McIlroy is at No. 2 in the FedEx Cup standings, despite not playing the first postseason event last week. The race for the Ryder Cup team is heating up, and the BMW Championship has proven to be a crucial stepping stone.
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