Ryder Cup Fallers: Whose Stock Took a Hit Recently?
While Royal Portrush and the 3M provided clarity and optimism for some Ryder Cup hopefuls. It also brought disappointment for others whose chances of competing at Bethpage Black now hang in the balance. As the clock ticks closer to September, both Team USA’s playing captain, Keegan Bradley, and European captain Luke Donald are forced to reassess several players whose recent performances have raised questions rather than confidence. With limited opportunities remaining to regain form, here’s a closer look at the Ryder Cup hopefuls whose stock took a notable downturn after disappointing outings at the Open Championship.
Team USA Fallers
Maverick McNealy: Momentum Comes to a Halt
Maverick McNealy entered the last couple of events looking to solidify his Ryder Cup resume after an encouraging season highlighted by several strong finishes. However, his missed cut at the 3M Championship halted momentum at precisely the wrong moment, placing his candidacy in significant jeopardy. McNealy’s struggle to adapt to finish strong, compounded by inconsistent iron play and shaky putting, raised legitimate concerns about his readiness for the intense Ryder Cup environment at Bethpage. Captain Keegan Bradley undoubtedly values McNealy’s youthful talent and potential, but this setback leaves him in a vulnerable position. Without a strong recovery in upcoming events, McNealy may find himself on the outside looking in when final selections are announced.
Andrew Novak: Missing a Crucial Opportunity
Andrew Novak entered Royal Portrush with a clear opportunity to strengthen his Ryder Cup candidacy, having steadily climbed into consideration throughout the season. Unfortunately, a disappointing T63 finish exposed lingering weaknesses in his game, particularly when confronted with difficult conditions and high stakes. Novak’s usually dependable short game faltered under Major Championship pressure, and his struggles off the tee only compounded his issues. While Novak has shown flashes of the composure necessary for Ryder Cup competition, this untimely misstep places him at a distinct disadvantage. Unless he can quickly rebound and deliver strong performances down the stretch, Novak’s Ryder Cup dreams could be fading rapidly.
Patrick Cantlay: Quiet Season Becoming Concerning
It’s unusual to label a player of Patrick Cantlay’s caliber a Ryder Cup faller, yet his lackluster showing at Royal Portrush raises valid questions. Cantlay, typically a steady presence at Major Championships, struggled significantly, finishing well down the leaderboard and failing to show the composure that has defined his past performances, missing the Open Championship cut. More concerningly, Cantlay has endured a quiet 2025 season, marked by an absence of top-tier finishes and unusually inconsistent ball-striking. He’s missed the cut at three of the four Majors this year. Given his previous experience and pedigree, Captain Bradley will carefully weigh Cantlay’s overall body of work, but recent form does matter. Cantlay’s disappointing Major performances now place added pressure on him to quickly rediscover his best game and reassure the U.S. leadership he can still deliver under the bright lights of Bethpage Black.
Sam Burns: Untimely Struggles Continue
Sam Burns entered the last few events needing some strong outings to solidify his Ryder Cup standing, but instead delivered some subpar performances. Failing to crack the top-30 in his last three events not only highlights continued inconsistency in his game but also significantly damages his standing as a potential Captain’s Pick. Burns possesses an aggressive style and competitive fire that seems tailor-made for Ryder Cup competition, yet his inability to string together consistent rounds is concerning. Captain Keegan Bradley faces a difficult decision, as Burns has the talent, but his consistency simply isn’t there. Unless Burns can rapidly improve and post notable results in the next few weeks, his Ryder Cup hopes may slip away entirely.
Team Europe Fallers
Thomas Detry: Missing His Moment
Thomas Detry arrived at Royal Portrush with an excellent opportunity to solidify his Ryder Cup status, but instead delivered a disappointing T45 finish that raised serious concerns about his candidacy. Detry, known for his typically solid ball-striking and steady performances on tour, struggled significantly in Northern Ireland. His inability to manage difficult conditions and execute under Major Championship pressure creates doubts about his readiness for the intensity of Ryder Cup competition. Captain Luke Donald had certainly been considering Detry as a potential team member, but this setback complicates his prospects. Without immediate improvement in upcoming events, Detry could find himself left behind when final selections are made.
Aaron Rai: Defending Champion Falters Under Pressure
Aaron Rai, who arrived at Royal Portrush with significant expectations following his breakthrough victory at last year’s Wyndham Championship, experienced a costly setback with a poor Open Championship performance. Despite possessing a game seemingly suited for links golf, Rai struggled considerably from tee to green, unable to handle the challenging conditions and high stakes. For Rai, who needed a strong showing to remain firmly in the Ryder Cup conversation, the T34 finish could not have come at a worse moment. Now, Captain Luke Donald must evaluate whether Rai can quickly regain form or if his recent struggles signal deeper concerns. Without immediate recovery, Rai risks losing his grip on a potential Ryder Cup spot.
Thorbjorn Olesen: Slipping Further from Contention
Once considered a key European candidate with valuable Ryder Cup experience, Thorbjorn Olesen continued his recent struggles at Royal Portrush, finishing well down the leaderboard after failing to deliver any notable rounds. Olesen’s traditionally dependable ball-striking deserted him, and his inability to respond effectively to difficult conditions underscored growing concerns over his current form. Captain Donald, mindful of Olesen’s past contributions, may still consider him an option based on experience, but recent performances significantly diminish his likelihood of selection. Olesen must rapidly rediscover his confidence and consistency to reassert himself as a viable Ryder Cup candidate. Without improvement, he could find himself omitted when Europe makes its final picks.
Niklas Norgaard: Rising Talent Hits a Speedbump
Niklas Norgaard, one of Europe’s most promising young talents, had been quietly positioning himself for Ryder Cup consideration until his recent performances exposed significant weaknesses in his game. A disappointing missed cuts at the Scottish Open and Open Championship and a T68 finish revealed struggles adapting to pressure under the gun, with particularly concerning issues around the greens and putting under stress. While Captain Donald surely sees Norgaard as part of Europe’s future, his recent performances suggest he may not be fully ready for the intensity of a Ryder Cup environment. With only a few opportunities left, Norgaard must quickly demonstrate significant improvement to regain confidence from European leadership. Without immediate recovery, his Ryder Cup hopes will likely shift toward future editions rather than Bethpage Black.
Final Thoughts
The Open Championship at Royal Portrush and 3M in Minnesota were critical moments for Ryder Cup hopefuls, and while some players rose to the occasion, others found their stock tumbling at precisely the wrong time. Maverick McNealy, Andrew Novak, Patrick Cantlay, and Sam Burns now face an uphill battle to regain favor with U.S. captain Keegan Bradley. Similarly, European players Thomas Detry, Aaron Rai, Thorbjorn Olesen, and Niklas Norgaard have all seen their Ryder Cup aspirations take a hit, forcing Luke Donald into careful reassessment. With limited opportunities left, the pressure will only increase for these players to reverse course and secure their spots at Bethpage Black. The clock is ticking, and these Ryder Cup fallers have their work cut out for them.
