Ryder Cup race hots up at WGC Bridgestone Invitational

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With The Ryder Cup only seven weeks away, the race for automatic qualification is really starting to heat up, and where better to stake a claim than at the showcase WGC event at Firestone Country Club and next week’s PGA Championship at Kiawah Island.

American Jim Furyk was the first to blink yesterday, racing to an opening round 63 (-7). A veteran of seven Ryder Cups, Furyk currently lies 15th in the U.S. standings, with only the top eight qualifying automatically.

“I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t on my mind and it hadn’t crossed my mind,” Furyk told reporters after opening up a two-shot lead. “I know exactly where I stand and I’ve played on the last seven teams. Eventually in my career I’m going to miss playing on those teams, and I’m hoping it’s not this year.”

Should he fail to qualify come the end of the PGA Championship, then he will have three events in which to impress Captain Davis Love III. If the standings stay as they are, Furyk will be battling Keegan Bradley, Rickie Fowler, Brandt Snedeker, Dustin Johnson, Steve Stricker and Bo Van Pelt for the remaining four picks.

Other strong starting Ryder Cup hopefuls after round one of the WGC Bridgestone were Rafael Cabrera Bello (-4), Simon Dyson (-4), Keegan Bradley (-3) and Sergio Garcia (-3).

Garcia needs a big week as he, Peter Hanson and Martin Kaymer currently occupy the last three automatic European berths. Hot on their heels are the likes of Belgian Nicolas Colsaerts and the Spanish contingent of Cabrera-Bello, Gonzalez Fernandez-Castaño and Alvaro Quiros; a formidable trio spurred on by the spirit of Seve and the desire to play for Captain José María Olazábal.

The core of the European team is also starting to take shape, with Rory McIlroy, Graeme McDowell, Justin Rose, Luke Donald and Lee Westwood virtually assured of a place among the 10 automatic qualifiers. Scot Paul Lawrie and Italian Francesco Molinari are also closing in on securing their second Ryder Cup appearances.

Crowd favourites Ian Poulter and Padraig Harrington both need big performances to force their way into the reckonings, while the likes of Marcel Siem, Thomas Björn and Simon Dyson cannot be discounted should they challenge at either Firestone Country Club or Kiawah Island.

With 76 points available for the winner of the WGC, that last automatic place is within reach for many, while The PGA Championship offers even more opportunity with 100 points for the winner, keeping the Ryder Cup door open for any number of players who can keep a calm head around the Ocean Course at Kiawah Island.

History has shown that the race always comes down to the wire and we can expect the same as the 2012 race heads to a thrilling climax.

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