While the primary focus was on winning the coveted Wanamaker Trophy, which Ireland’s Padraig Harrington went on to do in great fashion for his second major title in as many tries, several American players were vying for an automatic berth on the U.S. Ryder Cup team, which will take place at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Ky., September 18-21. In order to accomplish that, players needed to finish in the top 8 in the points race, which closed on Sunday. Ben Curtis, winner of the 2003 Open Championship, made the biggest move, pushing Steve Stricker out of the top-8 with a tie for second at the PGA Championship. Curtis leapt from No. 20 to No. 7.

The automatic berths were earned as follows: 1. Phil Mickelson; No. 2 Stewart Cink; 3. Kenny Perry; No. 4 Jim Furyk; 5. Anthony Kim; No. 6 Justin Leonard; No. 7. Curtis; No. 8. Boo Weekley. The final four to complete the 12-player squad are up to Azinger. He will announce his four captain’s selections to complete the U.S. squad on Tuesday, Sept. 2 in a 10 a.m. press conference at the Radisson Martinique in New York City.

With the eight automatic bids, Azinger has an eclectic mix of Ryder Cup veterans and rookies. Mickelson and Furyk bring in the experience with 11 Ryder Cup appearances between them. Cink has played in the last three, Perry was on the team in 2004 and Leonard has been on two squads, including the miracle 1999 team that was the last U.S. team to win. Kim, Curtis and Weekley are all Ryder Cup rookies.

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