“It’s a long process getting to this point,” said Jim Furyk after announcing the wildcard picks for the U.S. team that will tee off at the Presidents Cup. The skipper also pointed out how he tried to make the best decision by fitting the puzzle pieces together while alluding to the controversial exclusion of Justin Thomas from the team. But even though JT boasts a strong record in team events, it’s not as if the rest of the squad is any worse.

The first six spots on the Jim Furyk-led team were filled automatically by the top-ranked Americans in the OWGR. However, what turned heads were the captain’s picks, including the likes of Keegan Bradley, Sam Burns, Tony Finau, Brian Harman, Russell Henley, and Max Homa. But out of the dozen athletes, who have the best odds of coming out victorious against the International team led by Mike Weir?

Top U.S. contenders at the President’s Cup led by Jim Furyk

1. Scottie Scheffler: 

None would dare to question Scheffler’s eligibility on the team, as he automatically qualified by cementing his position as the No. 1 golfer in the world. Moreover, he racked up 7 victories this season on the PGA Tour, including the FedEx Cup, not to mention the gold medal he clinched at the 2024 Paris Olympics. With 16 top-10 finishes, alongside the best numbers in scoring and birdie averages, and GIR percentage, among others, Scheffler will surely be a force to be reckoned with in his second Presidents Cup appearance under Furyk.

2. Xander Schauffele

Tailing closely behind Scheffler, the 30-year-old boasts the best numbers after the world No. 1 on the PGA Tour this season. Xander Schauffele has 15 top-10 finishes, including 2 wins, both of which he secured at the majors—the PGA Championship and the Open. Schauffele has also bested the Tour Average in Scrambling with a percentage of 70.49, allowing him to make par scores more easily. Pair him with the 2024 Masters champ for Schauffele’s third Presidents Cup, and you might find an unstoppable force on the greens.

3. Collin Morikawa

The American athlete climbed from outside the top 10 at the start of the season in the OWGR to place himself inside the top 5, specifically at No. 4. Collin Morikawa achieved this by claiming 8 top-10 placements, including two runner-ups at the Memorial Tournament and the TOUR Championship. Interestingly, in the latter event, the pro finished first according to just the 72-hole scores, but unfortunately, the Starting Strokes Format based on the standings became his bane as Scheffler clinched the win. Regardless, Morikawa will be excited to tee off at his second appearance at the event, under Jim Furyk.

4. Sam Burns

When it comes to top-10 finishes on the PGA Tour, the 28-year-old Sam Burns has 8 of them. The result? A jump from outside the top 20 in the OWGR to 17th place in the standings. The last of his remarkable performances came at the recently concluded BMW Championship, where he claimed the runner-up position behind the 2025 Ryder Cup captain. Will Burns be able to replicate this at his second Presidents Cup, where he was picked as a captain’s choice? That is a question that the pro himself will need to answer as he tees off on September 24.

5. Wyndham Clark

The golfer earned a lot of backlash owing to his earning a spot on the Olympic team instead of Bryson DeChambeau. But following the multiple jabs Clark faced, the athlete redeemed himself by finishing T14 at the quadrennial event before clinching a T7 and a T8 at the St. Jude Championship and the TOUR Championship, respectively. This, alongside his 6 other top-10 finishes, helped him maintain a ranking near the top of the OWGR. Nevertheless, the 30-year-old will look to come out strong at his first-ever Presidents Cup.

6. Keegan Bradley

He was already part of the team but was a non-playing vice-captain. What changed? Well, it’s time to look back at the recently concluded BMW Championship. There, the current Ryder Cup captain dominated the PGA Tour’s best field to top the scoreboard and claim the title of champion. This made Jim Furyk change his mind and pick him as a wildcard. Although he has only 3 top-10 placements, including the win, his current performance and momentum are more than enough to support his skipper as Furyk leads the U.S. team.

These are just some of the best bets America has in its arsenal as Jim Furyk leads the squad against Mike Weir and his International team. The golfing world is sure to experience a thrilling contest at the Royal Montreal Golf Club!