Bryson DeChambeau poised for Ryder Cup wildcard spot after Dell Technologies Championship victory

Jim Furyk will announce three of his four wildcard picks on Tuesday with DeChambeau favourite to join Tiger Woods and Phiul Mickelson for the contest in Paris

Carl Markham
Tuesday 04 September 2018 08:32 BST
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Bryson DeChambeau celebrates winning the Dell Technologies Championship in Boston
Bryson DeChambeau celebrates winning the Dell Technologies Championship in Boston (Getty)

In-form Bryson DeChambeau left Ryder Cup captain Jim Furyk in no doubt he will be a valuable wildcard after a second successive victory in the FedEx Cup series.

The 24-year-old will not have long to wait for confirmation as Furyk's first three picks for Paris later this month are scheduled to be announced less than 24 hours after his two-shot victory at the Dell Technologies Championship in Boston.

DeChambeau began the day alongside England's Tyrell Hatton on 12 under, one stroke behind overnight leader Abraham Ancer, but followed up his victory at The Northern Trust with a round of 67 to reach 16 under.

That was two ahead of Justin Rose, who moved up to third in the FedEx standings with a final-round 68 to overtake compatriot Hatton, who had a day to forget on the greens as a two-over 73 dropped him to joint 12th for the tournament.

DeChambeau, who won the first FedEx event by four shots, had a minor stumble when he missed a five-foot par putt on the 13th and his lead was cut to one when Australian Cameron Smith birdied the 15th and 16th.

However, the American restored the two-stroke cushion with a birdie of his own at the 15th and comfortably closed out back-to-back wins to move him into the world's top 10.

DeChambeau is set to be joined as a Ryder Cup wildcard by Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods, who both continue to show improved form with Mickelson carding nine birdies in a round of 63 to finish tied 12th.

Woods got within three of the lead with a birdie at the 11th but his outside chance of a challenge ended when his tee shot at the short 16th ended up in the water for a double bogey, eventually finishing seven under.

DeChambeau looks certain to be one of Jim Furyk's Ruder Cup picks on Tuesday (Getty)

That left him 25th in the FedEx Cup standings, putting additional pressure on himself heading into the penultimate event starting on Thursday from which only the top 30 on the list qualify for the season-ending Tour Championship.

Of the players vying for Furyk's fourth and final wildcard, Tony Finau did most to advance his claim, shooting 68 to finish in a tie for fourth on 12 under.

But four-time Ryder Cup player Matt Kuchar's chances have diminished after a final-round 74 dropped him out of the top 70 in the standings, meaning his FedEx Cup involvement has ended.

Tiger Woods is also expected to be among those selected by Furyk (AP)

Rafael Cabrera Bello did his best to try to push his claims for a European wildcard with captain Thomas Bjorn, watching at home on television.

The Spaniard's 35ft birdie putt briefly tied the lead at 15 under but after three-putting the 15th green he eventually slipped back to 11 under with a 68 and with it went his probable chances of convincing Bjorn.

"Looking at the bigger goal I felt I've done as much as I can, obviously I tried to qualify by own means but couldn't do that so I came here and tried to show I'm in form and hopefully I've done that so hopefully it will be good for me," he told Sky Sports.

PA

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