Golf

Runners and Ryders: Watson jumps two places, Casey into automatic spot

A third victory of the season moved Bubba Watson up to fifth in the USA Ryder Cup standings, while there were European changes.

Peter Thompson
25 June, 2018 17:54 IST

Two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson   -  Getty Images

Peter Thompson
25 June, 2018 17:54 IST

Bubba Watson enhanced his chances of securing a Ryder Cup spot by winning the Travelers Championship and Paul Casey moved into an automatic qualification spot despite falling away in his final round on Sunday.

Watson was a vice-captain when the United States regained the famous trophy at Hazeltine two years ago, but is firmly in contention to play at Le Golf National in September.

The two-time Masters champion claimed his third victory of the season at TPC River Highlands with a superb seven-under 63 in his final round and rose two places to fifth in the USA standings.

Brooks Koepka strengthened his grip on top spot by finishing in a share of 19th place and the double U.S. Open champion now plans to take a break until The Open at Carnoustie.

Bryson Dechambeau moved into the eighth and final automatic qualification spot at the expense of Webb Simpson after finishing joint-ninth at the Travelers.

A final round of 72 denied Casey a second title of the season, but the Englishman replaced Matt Fitzpatrick in an automatic spot for the European side after finishing in a share of second place behind Watson.

Thorbjorn Olesen shot the lowest round in BMW International Open history at Golf Club Gut Laerchenhof on Sunday, a magnificent 61 giving him a second-placed finish which moved him up to fifth place on the European points list.

European points list (top four earn places)

1. TYRRELL HATTON: 3,559,896.72

2. JUSTIN ROSE: 3,307,263.76

3. TOMMY FLEETWOOD: 3,240,727.58

4. FRANCESCO MOLINARI: 3,225,221.47

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5. Thorbjorn Olesen: 2,358,160.77

6. Rory McIlroy: 2,168,607.14

7. Jon Rahm: 2,101,638.06

World points list (top four not already qualified via European Points list earn places)

1. Justin Rose: 290.39

2. Tommy Fleetwood: 257.00

3. JON RAHM: 248.36

4. RORY MCILROY: 226.56

5. Tyrrell Hatton: 202.05

6. Francesco Molinari: 193.69

7. ALEX NOREN: 165.56

8. PAUL CASEY: 153.44

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9. Matt Fitzpatrick 138.39

10. Ian Poulter: 133.48

11. Rafa Cabrera Bello: 133.17

United States points list (top eight earn places)

1. BROOKS KOEPKA: 8,919.409

2. DUSTIN JOHNSON: 7,809.287

3. PATRICK REED: 7,639.916

4. JUSTIN THOMAS: 6,727.053

5. BUBBA WATSON: 5,388.024

6. JORDAN SPIETH: 4,819.806

7. RICKIE FOWLER: 4,356.227

8. BRYSON DECHAMBEAU: 4,196.116

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9. Webb Simpson: 4,027.534

10. Phil Mickelson: 3,979.592

11. Matt Kuchar: 3,386.946

Next up

European Tour: Open de France, Paris

PGA Tour: Quicken Loans National, Maryland

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