Ryan Gerard Responds to Presidents Cup Snub With Fast Start

Ryan Gerard missed out on a spot on the U.S. Presidents Cup team despite five top-25 finishes and three top-10s over his final six PGA Tour starts, finishing 16th on the points list. He responded by flying overnight to Europe and opening the BMW PGA Championship with a 5-under 67, putting him one shot off the lead.

Why was Ryan Gerard left off the Presidents Cup team?

Gerard's third-place finish at the Tour Championship, where he beat every U.S. Presidents Cup team member other than winner Scottie Scheffler, wasn't enough to move him past the players above him in points. Captain Brandt Snedeker's six picks went to veterans Patrick Cantlay and Justin Thomas, who have a combined 20-7-2 Presidents Cup record, along with Jacob Bridgeman, who ranked 12th in points, and Jackson Koivun, who won the 3M Open this year.

Gerard had already committed to a European swing before the roster was announced, telling reporters after the Tour Championship that he planned to keep playing regardless of the outcome. "Season's not over for me," he said of his offseason plans.

How did Gerard respond at the BMW PGA Championship?

He finished T30 at the Omega European Masters the week after the roster announcement, his sixth start in a row, then took last week off before arriving at Wentworth. The rest showed: his opening 67 left him a shot behind the lead. Because this start counts toward his four required DP World Tour appearances this year, Gerard will keep his DP World Tour membership for next season.

Gerard isn't the only Presidents Cup snub in the Wentworth field. Patrick Reed, the current Race to Dubai points leader, spent this year serving a PGA Tour suspension and didn't play enough to earn consideration. J.J. Spaun, who finished 10th in points but withdrew from the Tour Championship, and Alex Smalley, who peaked with a runner-up finish at the PGA Championship in May, also opened with rounds of 70.