Breaking Down the Candidates for the Final 2016 Ryder Cup Captain's Pick

With U.S. Ryder Cup team captain Davis Love III's announcement of Matt Kuchar, J.B. Holmes and Rickie Fowler as three of his four captain's picks, attention turns to the final roster spot.

The trio of aforementioned American golfers join Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth, Phil Mickelson, Patrick Reed, Jimmy Walker, Brooks Koepka, Brandt Snedeker and Zach Johnson on the American side.

"I know this is the 11 we want today. We have another tough decision coming up in two weeks," Love said regarding his team in a press conference this week.  

We'll take a look at the "tough decision" Love has ahead of him, looking at five likely candidates for the final roster spot.

Bubba Watson

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Ryder Cup experience: 2010, 2012, 2014 

Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR): 7

Sagarin ranking: 14

Recent form: The Barclays (T13), Deutsche Bank Championship (Cut), BMW Championship (T20)

At No. 9 in the Ryder Cup points standing, Bubba Watson was thought by many as a lock for a captain's pick, especially considering his recent form has been decent. With Bubba being left out in the cold in the initial round of picks, we're left to wonder whether his divisive personality will keep him off the squad.

Daniel Berger

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Ryder Cup experience: None 

OWGR: 37

Sagarin: 16

Recent form: The Barclays (T70), Deutsche Bank Championship (T41), BMW Championship (T10)

Lacking any international team play on his professional resume, Daniel Berger, who finished 16th in the standings, is a speculative play if you're wagering on the final pick. But with a tie for 10th at the BMW Championship—and if Berger is able to record another high finish at the Tour Championship—he'll have the "hot hand" card to play, along with a strong 2015-16 campaign.

Justin Thomas

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Ryder Cup experience: None 

OWGR: 33

Sagarin: 62

Recent form: The Barclays (T10), Deutsche Bank Championship (Cut), BMW Championship (T32)

Justin Thomas is in the same boat as Daniel Berger, albeit with slightly worse recent form. At this point, with veterans like Watson and Furyk available, you have to feel Thomas needs to go out and win—or nearly win— the Tour Championship. JT would definitely be a good team guy, though, and is good buddies with Rickie Fowler and Jordan Spieth.

Jim Furyk

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Ryder Cup experience: 1997, 1999, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014

OWGR: 24

Sagarin: 18

Recent form: Wyndham Championship (T10), The Barclays (T41), Deutsche Bank Championship (T57)

Furyk didn't make it to the Tour Championship, so he'll be at a disadvantage and unable to present captain Love with a record of stellar recent form. However, the Pennsylvania native is the most veteran golfer of the group. Although, he was at a disadvantage in point accumulation, missing the early part of the season with injury.

Scott Piercy

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Ryder Cup experience: None

OWGR: 31

Sagarin: 46

Recent form: The Barclays (T22), Deutsche Bank Championship (T53), BMW Championship (T24)

Like Furyk, Scott Piercy, who finished 13th in the points standings, didn't perform well enough in the FedEx Cup playoffs to make it to the Tour Championship, which certainly won't work to his advantage. This, coupled with his lack of international experience and failure to crack the top 10 in his last six starts has the Las Vegas native looking like a real long shot.