Justin Thomas misses cut at Open to endanger Ryder Cup hopes - ESPN

HOYLAKE, England — Justin Thomas wants to make U.S. team captain Zach Johnson's job easy when it comes time to decide whether he will receive one of six captain's choices to be on the Ryder Cup team that will compete against Europe in Italy later this summer.

But after Thomas missed the cut for the third time in a major this season, Johnson admitted he's concerned about the former world No. 1 player's form with just over two months left before the Ryder Cup, which will take place at Marco Simone Golf Club outside Rome on Sept. 29-Oct. 1.

Thomas carded an even-par 71 on Friday, which was 11 shots better than his opening-round 82. He posted an 11-over 81 in the second round of last month's U.S. Open at Los Angeles Country Club and missed the cut with a 36-hole total of 14 over.

«Well, as a friend and roommate [this week], I'm concerned just because he's my buddy and I know what he's capable of and that sort of thing,» Johnson said Friday. «Yeah, obviously, he's a stalwart in that event, right? I don't know his record off the top of my head, but I know it's pretty good.»

Thomas, a two-time major champion, has a 6-2-1 record in two previous Ryder Cup appearances. He has a 10-3-2 mark in three President Cups.

«Those kind of moments like that, he's one of the best there is,» Johnson said. «Bottom line is this game is really hard. There's going to be peaks. There's going to be some valleys. Let's hope whatever sort of non-peak he's in, it's short. I know he's got a great team. I love his coaches. I love how he works.»

Thomas, who is ranked 20th in the world, came into the week at 75th in the FedEx Cup points standings. He's in danger of missing the playoffs for the first time in his career. He is 13th in Ryder Cup points. The