United States Ryder Cup captain Davis Love has named Rickie Fowler, Matt Kuchar and JB Holmes as his first three wildcard picks ahead of the biennial clash with Europe at Hazeltine from September 30.
Fowler, Kuchar and Holmes join an in-form bunch of Americans comprising world number two and US Open champion Dustin Johnson, US PGA champion Jimmy Walker, Patrick Reed, Phil Mickelson, Jordan Spieth, Brooks Koepka, Zach Johnson and Brandt Snedeker.
The biggest shock to many will be the omission, so far,of two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson.
Love will name his final wildcard after the Tour Championship on September 25.Chances are it could well be Jim Furyk.
The United States will bid to win the Ryder Cup for the first time since 2008.
Fowler was always an obvious choice for a wildcard pick,but he has never won a Ryder Cup match (0-3-5) and even failed to make the top 30 for the FedEx Cup’s season-ending Tour Championship next week following a disappointing run of form.
Kuchar, who owns a respectable 4-5-2 record at the Ryder Cup, brings better form to the table following six top-five finishes dating back to the Players’ Championship in May, while big-hitting Holmes, who competed in United States’ last victory in 2008 with a 2-0-1 record, has achieved four top-five finishes since the Masters in April.
Of the remaining candidates for the fourth and final wildcard pick, Watson has to be at the forefront of proceedings. However, it is rumoured that Watson and Love have not always seen eye to eye.
Watson, who owns an indifferent 3-8-0 record in the Ryder Cup, may be enduring a wretched run of form of late with just four top-20 finishes since winning the Northern Trust in February, but he is still ranked seventh in the world
Jim Furyk, who has not missed a Ryder Cup since his debut in 1997, is another with experience in the book thanks to a 10-20-4 record.
He also did his claims of a 10th appearance no harm recently thanks to becoming the first ever player on Tour to shoot 58 in competition.
With no current rookies in the United States side, however, perhaps captain Love looks to drop one in against the six European rookies. 
Of those candidates, Justin Thomas would fancy his chances, as too, Ryan Moore, Daniel Berger, Kevin Kisner, Bill Haas, Billy Horschel and Kevin Chappell.
PGA Tour : Tour Championship
Dustin Johnson has set his sights on Tour Championship victory after moving top of the FedExCup standings with a three-shot win at the BMW Championship.
Tipped at 11/1 Dustin duly done the business and heads into this week’s final event as a firm favourite to boost his bank balance.
This weeks tip : Jordan Spieth at 10/1.
For all the latest Golf Shop and Tuition Offers call the Pro Shop at Enniskillen Golf Club on 028 66325250.
Shop online at www.thegolfcabin.co.uk
Special rates available for our new Golf Simulator-play the Brabazon Course at The Belfry.