SPRINGFIELD, N.J. -- Jimmy Walker's victory at the PGA Championship propelled him into one of the automatic qualifying spots for the United States' Ryder Cup team with four tournaments remaining to decide the team.
Walker, who played on the 2014 team that lost to Europe, moved from 29th in the standings to fourth place based on his PGA win, which came with double points because it is a major championship.
Brooks Koepka, who tied for fourth, also jumped into a qualifying spot at No. 5 from the ninth position.
The top eight players through The Barclays tournament -- the first FedEx Cup playoff event -- next month will automatically make the team that faces Europe at Hazeltine National in late September. Captain Davis Love III will have four at-large selections.
"I thought about that all year," Walker said. "I haven't played as well as I would have liked to, I'm not on the list, I'm not even close. I saw Davis this week and I told him, 'Man, I'd love to be on your team.' Haven't played that well this year, but I feel like there's still time for me to play good at the end of the year and have a chance to get on the team or get the nod to be picked.''
Love will make three at-large selections following the BMW Championship on Sept. 12, then a final pick on the night of the Tour Championship, which is the week leading into the Ryder Cup.
Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth and Phil Mickelson hold down the first three spots and are considered locks at this point. Walker and Koepka are followed by Zach Johnson, J.B. Holmes and Brandt Snedeker.
On the outside of the automatic qualifiers now are Bubba Watson, Patrick Reed and Rickie Fowler.