Former PGA Tour pro outlines Justin Thomas Ryder Cup worry

Former PGA Tour player turned on-course analyst Smylie Kaufman has voiced concern Justin Thomas may be limited to just three matches at the 2025 Ryder Cup

Thomas, 32, was named among Keegan Bradley's wildcards on 27 August. 

The news was not unexpected, given the two-time major winner finished one spot outside of automatic qualification. 

Two-time major winner Thomas also ended the 2025 campaign with six top 10s under his belt and returned to the winner's circle in April at the RBC Heritage. 

He will have been frustrated, though, at his performances in the major championships. That being said, Thomas is undoubtedly deserving of making his fourth appearance in the biennial dust-up for Team USA. 

Just one of the conundrums facing Bradley now - other than whether or not Patrick Cantlay will wear a team cap - is who partners Thomas. 

Our Andy Roberts has already offered his predictions given the absence of Jordan Spieth and Brooks Koepka.  

Kaufman told his podcast he believes Thomas is currently in danger of only playing three sessions over 26-28 September unless he can 'prove himself' at the Procore Championship in Napa. 

He just doesn't know should partner Thomas. 

"His record, I'm sitting here looking at some of the stuff that he's done, he went 2-3 in foursomes, 2-1-2 in fourball and he's 3-0 in singles, talking about JT," Kaufman said.

"And I'm looking at this group this year. He's played, I believe with Patrick Cantlay before in some fourball stuff if I'm not mistaken. 

"But JT, what he's been doing well this year is that he's been putting well. He needs to start hitting the golf ball better. 

"So that would be my biggest concern, can you find someone that's going to be really solid for him, that's going to be in play a lot for him to feel less pressure about having to get the ball in play.

"So foursomes right now, JT has a ton of experience, but I'm not ready to throw JT out in foursomes until I see him play in Napa. I need to see him have a really nice ball-striking week. 

"And then from there, I'd be like okay, yeah, I'm good sending him out in foursomes. This team does not have a lot of experience for Friday morning. That's the one thing that concerns me."

Captain Bradley has confirmed all 12 of his Ryder Cup team will tee it up at the Procore Championship to shake off any rust before heading to Bethpage. 

The aforementioned Spieth said it was a mistake for Zach Johnson's team in 2023 not to play any competitive golf after the Tour Championship before heading to Italy. 

Bradley's European counterpart, Luke Donald, will announce his six captain's picks on 1 September.