Ryder Cup 2018: US team headed by Brooks Koepka and Dustin Johnson
Last updated on .From the section Golf
Three-time major champion Brooks Koepka and world number one Dustin Johnson will play for the US against Europe in September's Ryder Cup in France.
Eight players have already qualified for the 12-man team with captain Jim Furyk set to name four wildcard picks in early September.
Justin Thomas, Patrick Reed, Bubba Watson, Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler and Webb Simpson make up the other six.
European golfers have three more events to play before their team is announced.
The final one of those events is the Made in Denmark Tournament, which takes place from 30 August - 2 September.
Europe captain Thomas Bjorn will also make four wildcard picks to add to his eight automatic qualifiers on 5 September, with the Ryder Cup taking place from 28-30 September at Le Golf National, near Paris.
Italian Francesco Molinari, who won The Open in July, currently leads the European standings.
Furyk, who will name three of his wildcard picks on 4 September and make a fourth selection on 10 September, said he and the eight players confirmed for the US team are "excited" as they prepare to defend the title they won at Hazeltine in 2016.
He added: "We talked a lot about the type of player we were looking for on this team and the atmosphere in Europe - the boisterous crowds - and we talked about the team they will have, which will be strong," he added.
"I wanted a team that would really enjoy that atmosphere. Looking at these eight guys they will enjoy this challenge."
Tiger Woods staked his claim for one of the wildcard picks by finishing second to Koepka at the US PGA Championship on Sunday.
The 14-time major champion, who has not won one of the sport's biggest prizes since claiming the US Open title in 2008, also went close at The Open in July, finishing joint sixth.
Asked whether Woods, who is a vice captain, could help the US team as a player in Europe next month, Furyk replied: "That's a good question. He is playing very well. There are probably lot of folks out there who think he can help us.
"Really what we wanted to talk about today is the top eight players. I realise Tiger is a story, that he is playing well, and I'm excited to see that."
Furyk added that he would select another vice captain should he pick Woods as a player.
"Tiger's priceless, to be honest with you," he said.
"He's been really a big help to our captains in both 2016 and 2017 (at the Presidents Cup) from a strategy perspective, from personnel, personalities, and also really serving on the golf course. I mean, walking with players.
"I think it's been a big boost having the best player maybe to ever live following your group and being there for support."
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Almost certain to be close, golf is in a good place at the moment
I hope Tiger plays, it would make it even more exciting
As regards Tiger,he is not the " greatest" . Check the record of a certain Jack Nicklaus. Check Jack's Ryder Cup record and his gesture as regards Tony Jacklin. Many of you saying Tiger is GOAT are like football supporters who think football started with the Premier League.
Every time he plays equals a point to the Euros
He hates match play look at his record
Also I do think this is a new Tiger and not the loner he used to be - I think he will be a good team player now.
You are correct Tiger in the team will add tens of thousands of viewers and millions revenue.
For those who scoff, apparently Tiger was an incredible Vice-Captain who helped hugely with the younger players. What nonsense people talk.
I for one think that his comeback is nothing short of genius.
He is such a magnet attraction, the fans love him, the Tiger Roars. To see him walking off last night the crowd were going wild, crazy he just has that effect
The Americans, as usual, have an awesome team, but they will be coming to Europe and that should give our boys a chance.
I have absolutely no idea who our Captain should pick because the big guns are misfiring.
Bring it home Thomas Bjørn :)
Furyk must be relieved that Webb Simpson is in as he can play with Bubba, who was left out in 2016 purely because of his incompatibility as a fourball and foursomes partner. Furyk has enough stars already, he will pick foursome players.
It just nice to see another type of Match Played between best golfers in the world. I feel that Europe don't have the bond that the Americans have.
Come on Europe/Britain
You know you can score rubbish in medals but as long as you qualify for the playoffs win your club championship. A triple bogey just means a hole lost whereby in stroke play you are finished.
Match Play is such a different game and the likes of Spieth and Reid have the bottle and grit to grind you down as Reid did to Rory.
Do we have the players with this attitude?
There is no I in team, all he will do is spit, moan at the photographers for clicking away during his backswing.
Still some lucky young ladies might get some ‘quality’ time with him (cue Sid James laugh)