Just like that, Bubba Watson is firmly in the 2018 Ryder Cup USA conversation.
With a win in the Genesis Open on Sunday -- his third at Riviera, joining Ben Hogan and Lloyd Mangrum for most all time there -- Watson soared from No. 60 to No. 10 in the latest Ryder Cup USA points standings.
Watson has not played on a Ryder Cup team since 2014. He missed out on the 2016 team, finishing outside the automatic qualifying spots. Even though he was ranked No. 7 in the world at the time, Watson did not receive a captain's pick, but ultimately joined the team at Hazeltine as a last-minute vice captain.
RELATED: Latest Ryder Cup USA points standings
Watson was the only player to break into the top 10 based on his performance in Los Angeles.
Phil Mickelson had another solid week. He moved one spot from No. 12 to No. 11 with a T6 at Riviera.
Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Justin Thomas, Jordan Spieth and Matt Kuchar continue to own the top-5 positions, in that order.
U.S. players will continue to gain points in 2018 at every non-opposite PGA Tour event, WGC and major through the 100th PGA Championship at Bellerive, concluding on August 12, 2018.
At that time, Captain Jim Furyk will have his first eight players -- automatic qualifiers.
The four remaining slots on the U.S. Team will be Captain's Selections. Three selections will be announced by Captain Jim Furyk following the Dell Technologies Championship scheduled to be completed on Sept. 3, 2018, and the final selection will be announced after the BMW Championship, which is slated to be completed on Sept. 9, 2018.
