Is Talor Gooch In Line For A Ryder Cup Pick?

An American with figures of W-W-15-36-W from his last five starts would generally assume a place on the Ryder Cup team even if they're not capable of contributing points to any official standings. As we all know Talor Gooch can't add any points through his LIV Golf League efforts – he wasn't eligible for the recent US Open – but he can get a captain's pick from Zach Johnson.

The 31-year-old has won in Adelaide where he opened with back-to-back rounds of 10-under, he then prevailed in Singapore and then he took the spoils at none other than Valderrama where he finished three rounds at a brilliant 10-under.

He leads the LIV standings and his Range Goats captain Bubba Watson certainly thinks he deserves a pick from Johnson.

"Well, he has to be - gosh, I don't know where Rickie Fowler is on the Ryder Cup standings, but he's got to be up there, too," Watson said. "But I would have to say those two have been the impressive ones the last few weeks, just their high finishes and how they've been playing pretty much all year.

"If they're not already - if Rickie is not already in in points, he's definitely getting a pick, and Talor should definitely get a pick. He's playing that well, and he plays really good outside the US."

Brooks Koepka, through his major efforts, is third in the standings and, otherwise, you would think that Dustin Johnson might also be a part of the team given his perfect record last time out at Whistling Straits and general experience and skills.

We'll see what happens in the next few weeks but you wouldn't put it past Bryson DeChambeau having a big week at Hoylake and also forcing his way into the reckoning.

Gooch, though, is the story of the LIV season so far and his captain Watson added that he is a low-key character.

"You know what, he's so quiet, he's so to himself. But having his family travel with him, being able to spend a lot of time with his family, being able to spend time with his young one, his in-laws, he's just down to earth, and he's just focused on the next shot. He's just been grinding out.

"Solid player, we've all known that, and for him to quietly jump ship out of nowhere to come over here because he loves team golf, it was cool to see."

After his win in Spain Gooch, who hasn't yet spoken to Johnson, insisted that he will just keep doing what he's been doing.

“The better I play, the more that is just going to be a discussion hopefully. I’ve got to go win, and I’ve got to go prove that I’m worthy of having a discussion about.”