Mark Cannizzaro

Mark Cannizzaro

Sports

Focusing on Barclays tough task for Ryder Cup hopefuls

If it’s possible with players competing for the $10 million grand prize at the end of the FedEx Cup playoff rainbow, there is a game within the game taking place during the first two events in this series that, for some, is more important than the dough waiting in the wheelbarrow at the end of the Tour Championship climax.

On Sept. 2 — a week from Monday — Ryder Cup captain Tom Watson will announce his three wild-card picks for the 12-player U.S. team that will take on the Europeans Sept. 26-28 at Gleneagles in Scotland.

For some of the hopefuls awaiting Watson’s final decision, that day cannot come fast enough, because the anticipation is becoming exhausting. It, too, is a challenging mind game for the players trying to make an 11th-hour impression on Watson while trying to keep their minds on the golf tournament at hand — in this case The Barclays at Ridgewood Country Club.

“It’s really tough, because you can’t not think about it,’’ Keegan Bradley said after shooting a third-round 70 on Saturday to stand at 2-under for the week, seven shots off the lead, held by Jason Day and Jim Furyk, entering Sunday’s final round. “It’s impossible not to think about it. I’m going to be really excited for it to be over — whether I’m on the team or off the team … but hopefully I’m on it.’’

Unlike Bradley, who is 13th on the Ryder Cup points list and believed to be a virtual lock because of his past success teaming with Phil Mickelson, Hunter Mahan was not likely close to Watson’s radar — possibly until this week.

But Mahan, 25th on the points list and in the midst of a so-so season, enters Sunday one shot off the lead at 8-under after shooting 68. Depending on what Watson is looking for — the hottest players who also have Ryder Cup experience? — a win might move him to the top of the list.

“I really have no clue what [Watson] is thinking,’’ Mahan said. “They have held their cards pretty close, so I don’t know if anyone has any really clue what maybe they are looking for. But I know a win would definitely improve my chances.’’

Mahan said managing the Ryder Cup daydreaming while trying to win a tournament is a good mental test.

“[It’s] a great challenge for me to work on being patient and work on being very present in what I have to do right now,” he said. “Especially when you’re so close to something that you really want so badly and how one thing can lead to a lot of other things.’’

As the Watson decision day draws closer, the consensus about which players he will pick has almost universally had Bradley as one of the three based on his past success partnering with Mickelson in the 2012 Ryder Cup at Medinah. But Bradley, not wanting to take anything for granted, is sweating this out.

“People say that, but I don’t see myself as an automatic pick by any means,’’ Bradley said. “I feel like the chances are good. … [But] assuming you’re on the team, only one bad thing can happen — not making the team. Do I want to get picked? Obviously yes. Do I think I can help the team a lot? Yeah, I do.’’

Other than Bradley, the players Watson is believed to be giving heaviest consideration include Webb Simpson, the 2012 U.S. Open winner who played on the 2012 team, and Brandt Snedeker, a favorite of Watson’s who also played on that squad.

Other players surely on Watson’s radar include Ryan Moore (11th on the points list), Harris English (16th), Mahan and Brendon Todd. Simpson, Snedeker, Moore and English all missed The Barclays cut.

Despite being 12th on the points list, Todd is a player who has been on hardly anyone’s list of projected picks by Watson. Now he finds himself at 7-under par at The Barclays, just two shot off the lead.

“I’m just trying to play good golf and let Tom make his decision,’’ Todd said Saturday. “[Watson] probably wants experience, but if I were him I’d want the best players — the guys that are playing well at the time [of his decision]. But I don’t know what he’s thinking. He hasn’t put out any reports about what he wants, and he hasn’t spoken to me about what he wants.’’

Todd said he asked Watson to play a practice round with him at Greenbrier and got two holes with him.

Asked what he can bring to team, Todd was succinct and to the point.
“Great play, good putting, fresh energy,’’ he said. “I’ve won a national championship in a team atmosphere before [at the University of Georgia in 2005] and I usually have good golf when I need it, when the rubber meets the road.’’