As the dust settles on the 2025 British Open at Royal Portrush, the U.S. Ryder Cup landscape is buzzing with fresh developments and shifting fortunes. Harris English and Chris Gotterup have emerged as the standout stories, their performances not only turning heads but also reshaping the race for Team USA’s coveted spots.
Harris English’s journey over the past few months has been a masterclass in consistency and clutch play. After a strong T-2 finish at the PGA Championship, English maintained his momentum with a T-12 at the Memorial and a T-4 at the Travelers before capping it off with a solo second place at the British Open. His final-round 5-under 66 at Royal Portrush elevated him to 13-under par for the tournament, finishing four shots behind world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and just one stroke ahead of his playing partner Chris Gotterup. This impressive run catapulted English four spots up the U.S. Ryder Cup standings, landing him in sixth place—the final automatic qualifying position for the team heading into the BMW Championship next month.
What makes English’s rise even more remarkable is the adversity he faced at the Open. Without his longtime caddie Eric Larson, who was denied a U.K. travel visa due to a prison sentence served two decades ago, English leaned on his short-game coach Ramon Bescansa. “Ramon and I did a great job of coming up with a strategy,” English said. “He kind of knows how I operate.” This partnership paid dividends, underscoring English’s adaptability and mental toughness on one of golf’s biggest stages.
Meanwhile, Chris Gotterup’s story feels almost cinematic. Ranked No. 158 in the world, Gotterup entered the British Open on the back of a stunning Scottish Open victory where he outlasted Rory McIlroy. That win earned him a late qualifying spot at Royal Portrush, where he made an immediate impact by shooting weekend rounds of 68 and 67 to finish solo third in his major debut. His performance not only doubled his career earnings, netting around $2.7 million in just eight days, but also dramatically boosted his Ryder Cup stock, vaulting him 19 spots to 22nd on the points list.
“I don’t know what’s going on over here,” Gotterup remarked with a laugh, referencing his Danish heritage. “Maybe my European blood in me a little bit has come to life.” Despite his roots, Gotterup is firmly on Team USA’s side. “USA,” he confirmed when asked who he supports in the Ryder Cup.
With just four weeks left to earn automatic Ryder Cup berths, the pressure is mounting for many players. Scottie Scheffler remains the only American to have secured an automatic spot so far, boasting an insurmountable 32,420.33 points. Xander Schauffele, J.J. Spaun, Russell Henley, and Bryson DeChambeau round out the top five, with English now firmly in sixth place at 10,385.65 points. Notably, Captain Keegan Bradley sits 10th with 8,038.50 points, sparking ongoing debate about whether he will use one of his captain’s picks on himself.
The British Open was the final major offering significant Ryder Cup points before the BMW Championship, making it a critical juncture for hopefuls. Players like Justin Thomas (7th), Collin Morikawa (8th), and Ben Griffin (9th) are jockeying for position, while others like Sam Burns and Patrick Cantlay face uphill battles to impress Bradley or secure points in the playoffs.
Golf analysts and fans alike are watching closely as the race tightens. According to Golf Digest, Scheffler, Schauffele, Henley, and DeChambeau are considered locks for the team, with DeChambeau confirmed to receive a captain’s pick after his gritty T-10 finish at the Open. Harris English’s stock is soaring after his runner-up finish, setting him up for a strong playoff push or a likely captain’s pick if he falls short.
Justin Thomas, despite a modest T-34 finish at Portrush, remains a “semi-firm lock” due to his Ryder Cup pedigree and solid season. Maverick McNealy also revitalized his chances with a Sunday 66 and T-23 finish, while Chris Gotterup’s meteoric rise has made him one of the hottest American prospects heading into the playoffs.
Conversely, some players’ stocks are falling or stagnant. Collin Morikawa’s recent missed cuts and off-course distractions have dimmed his momentum, while Ben Griffin’s two consecutive missed cuts after a strong start have put his spot in jeopardy. Captain Keegan Bradley himself faces a PR tightrope, as falling between 10th and 14th in points would force him into a controversial captain’s pick decision.
Other notable names like Patrick Cantlay, Andrew Novak, Cameron Young, Tom Hoge, Daniel Berger, and Tony Finau will need strong playoff performances or unlikely victories to secure a spot. Meanwhile, Patrick Reed and Brooks Koepka, both former mainstays, have seen their Ryder Cup hopes vanish after missing the cut at Portrush and lacking FedExCup playoff opportunities.
The Ryder Cup, set for September at Bethpage Black, promises to be an electrifying showdown. The U.S. team’s composition is still taking shape, with intense competition for the final automatic spots and captain’s picks. Harris English and Chris Gotterup’s recent performances have injected fresh excitement and uncertainty into the mix, reminding fans that in golf, momentum can shift in a heartbeat.
As the playoffs approach, all eyes will be on the players striving to secure their place and on Captain Keegan Bradley, whose decisions could define the team’s fortunes. The next four weeks will be crucial, with every stroke potentially making the difference between a Ryder Cup dream realized or dashed.
