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T.J.'s Team USA Weekly Analysis: July 28- August 3

The 38th Ryder Cup will be held Oct. 1-3, 2010, at The Celtic Manor Resort in City of Newport, Wales. Each week leading up to the matches, PGA.com Interactive Producer T.J. Auclair will provide analysis of the top 20 U.S. players in the latest standings. Go to the bottom of the page to learn how the U.S. Ryder Cup team is determined.

Player	Points	This Week	Last Week
Phil Mickelson	5,768.74900	1	1

T.J.'s Take: Did not play.

Player	Points	This Week	Last Week
Jim Furyk	3,418.94200	2	3

T.J.'s Take: Furyk bounced back from his missed cut at the Open Championship with a tie for ninth at the Greenbrier Classic to move into the No. 2 spot in this week's standings. Furyk was stellar in West Virginia, shooting no worse than a 68 all week. It was a welcome shot of confidence for Furyk as the PGA Tour heads into the meat of its schedule and with just two big-time events left before the eight automatic U.S. berths are solidified.

Player	Points	This Week	Last Week
Steve Stricker	3,402.67600	3	2

T.J.'s Take: Did not play and dropped one spot.

Player	Points	This Week	Last Week
Jeff Overton	3,277.84800	4	10

T.J.'s Take: Overton was the biggest mover this week, jumping six spots and into the top 5 after his second-place showing at the Greenbrier. Truth be told, Stuart Appleby stole the tournament from Overton, firing that stunning 11-under 59 in the final round. Overton began the final round with a three-shot lead and shot a 3-under 67, which should get the job done for the leader 99 out of 100 times. Who could have predicted Overton would have the fifth 59 in PGA Tour history thrown at him? For that, of course, Appleby deserved the win. Even still, Overton had a chance. He missed a short birdie putt at No. 17 - the ball hit a spike mark - that would have given him a share of the lead. Let's preface the next statement by acknowledging that Overton has been one of the hottest players on the planet lately with five top-3 or better finishes in his last 10 starts. However, if he doesn't make this Ryder Cup team on points (and at this point, a lot would have to happen for him not to), I don't think Captain Pavin would use Overton as one of the four wildcard picks. Allow me to explain - Overton seems to get fidgety when he's in the hunt late on Sunday. It's a very common reaction to being nervous, but not one you typically see from the guys who win. Because of that, Overton's swing can sometimes break down. That wouldn't be good for a Ryder Cup, where every session has the feel of a back-nine on Sunday and then some. Of course, however nervous he was on Sunday, Overton's loss wasn't the result of a swing breakdown - his 67 was brilliant and no one could have anticipated Appleby's 59. But, Overton's reaction to the short miss on No. 17 seemed to carry over to the par-3 18th, where he came up a club short, leaving slim to no chance for birdie. While it is refreshing to see Overton wear his emotions on his sleeve, it might not be the best asset to have in a Ryder Cup format - especially in alternate shot when you're relying on a teammate. Personally, I would love to see him on the squad. And, thanks to his play of late, he may have done just enough to earn that right. He just needs to keep it going these next two weeks.

Player	Points	This Week	Last Week
Anthony Kim	3,062.34500	5	4

T.J.'s Take: Did not play and dropped one spot.

Player	Points	This Week	Last Week
Lucas Glover	2,980.87400	6	5

T.J.'s Take: Did not play and dropped one spot.

Player	Points	This Week	Last Week
Matt Kuchar	2,938.41900	7	6

T.J.'s Take: With a tie for 21st at the Greenbrier Classic, Kuchar maintained his No. 7 position in this week's standings. Really low scores, as we've already pointed out, were there for the taking in West Virginia. That's the only way to explain how Kuchar lost ground on the field in the final round with his 3-under 67.

Player	Points	This Week	Last Week
Dustin Johnson	2,936.13800	8	6

T.J.'s Take: Did not play and dropped two spots.

Player	Points	This Week	Last Week
Tiger Woods	2,773.30500	9	8

T.J.'s Take: Did not play and dropped one spot.

Player	Points	This Week	Last Week
Hunter Mahan	2,643.75400	10	9

T.J.'s Take: Did not play and dropped one spot.

Player	Points	This Week	Last Week
Ricky Barnes	2,610.17100	11	11

T.J.'s Take: Barnes made the cut, but did not finish due to PGA Tour cut policy that calls for a 36-hole cut to the low 70 professionals and ties and, if that cut results in more than 78 players, a second 54-hole cut to the low 70 professionals and ties. Barnes did pick up some points, however, and maintained his No. 11 spot.

Player	Points	This Week	Last Week
Ben Crane	2,533.92900	12	12

T.J.'s Take: Like Kuchar, Crane also tied for 21st at the Greenbrier. He continues to enjoy a great season on the PGA Tour, where his currently ninth in the playoff standings. However, he's on the outside looking in when it comes to the Ryder Cup.

Player	Points	This Week	Last Week
Stewart Cink	2,394.03300	13	13

T.J.'s Take: Did not play.

Player	Points	This Week	Last Week
Nick Watney	2,297.97400	14	14

T.J.'s Take: Did not play.

Player	Points	This Week	Last Week
Rickie Fowler	2,259.37000	15	15

T.J.'s Take: Did not play.

Player	Points	This Week	Last Week
J.B. Holmes	2,129.01000	16	18

T.J.'s Take: With a tie for 16th at the Greenbrier, Holmes continues his late push for a spot on the U.S. team, jumping two spots in this week's standings. If Holmes keeps it up and doesn't make the squad on points, it would be hard for Pavin to leave him off the team. He already has the great experience of winning at home in Kentucky. That, along with his incredible long game, could prove invaluable for the U.S. in better-ball.

Player	Points	This Week	Last Week
Bubba Watson	2,202.31900	17	16

T.J.'s Take: Did not play and dropped one spot.

Player	Points	This Week	Last Week
Bo Van Pelt	2,156.33400	18	17

T.J.'s Take: Did not play and dropped one spot.

Player	Points	This Week	Last Week
Sean O'Hair	2,122.57400	19	19

T.J.'s Take: Did not play.

Player	Points	This Week	Last Week
Zach Johnson	2,118.39700	20	20

T.J.'s Take: Did not play.

Team USA Qualifying Process

The United States points system will determine the top eight players for the 2010 United States Ryder Cup Team on August 15. In addition, Captain Corey Pavin selects four players on Sept. 7, 2010, to complete the United States Team. Points are based upon the following:

-- Prize money earned in the 2009 major championships (Masters, U.S. Open, British Open and PGA Championship): One point is awarded for every $1,000 earned; all U.S. players making the cut will earn points.

-- Prize money earned in 2010 "Official" events from Jan. 1 through Aug. 15: One point is awarded for every $1,000 earned, excluding the major championships, events played opposite major championships and events played opposite World Golf Championships; all U.S. players making the cut will earn points.

-- Prize money earned for the 2010 major championships: (Masters, U.S. Open, British Open, and the PGA Championship). Two points are awarded for every $1,000 earned; all U.S. players making the cut will earn points.

Prize money earned in 2010 events played opposite the major championships and opposite World Golf Championships events between Jan. 1 and the PGA Championship, Aug. 15 -- one-half point will be awarded for every $1,000 earned; all U.S. players making the cut will earn points.

Click for complete Team USA Standings