Five questions from FedEx Cup Fall: Is Rickie Fowler’s resurgence real? Who could make U.S. Ryder Cup team?

The top players in the game have largely sat out the second edition of the FedEx Cup Fall leaving those vying for playing privileges and status in 2025 signature events to duke out. While Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy and others have been left outside the ropes, those inside have created burning questions through their play that will affect many of the game’s brightest stars next season.

Every PGA Tour season comes with it surprises, even more so when it coincides with a Ryder Cup year. While the U.S. team proved victorious at Royal Montreal in the Presidents Cup, the Americans will have their hands full when the Europeans visit Bethpage Black next fall.

History shows composing a team is not as simple as taking last year’s squad and repeating the process. Players will lose form, first-time major winners could upset the rankings and injuries may occur. This gives way to open roster spots where players like Justin Thomas or an unassuming J.T. Poston could be slotted in.

Rickie Fowler’s form could make him a Ryder Cup consideration for the second straight time out should his most recent resurgence continue through the season. This is coming at a time when emerging U.S. stalwart Max Homa is heading in the other direction and may be losing some of his status.

Here are five burning questions (and some answers) to emerge from the first five events of the FedEx Cup Fall.

1. More than one J.T. on the Ryder Cup team?

Each Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup team has its surprises, and the 2025 U.S. squad will not be any different. Four roster spots turned over in just one year, and with both Homa and Brian Harman looking like question marks in Canada — plus the inclusion of LIV Golf members — the case could be made that the team in New York will feature six different players.

The list of replacements is lengthy with names like Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka circled but also those of Thomas and Poston on it. Thomas is regaining his edge and likely to don the red, white and blue following a rare omission in Montreal at the Presidents Cup, and Poston could serve as the unlikely outsider to garner consideration.

2. Is Rickie Fowler’s resurgence for real?

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. For the second time in three seasons, Fowler has utilized the fall season to climb out of a pit of poor play and perform as the competitor most have been used to seeing throughout his PGA Tour career.

Following the worst season his career, the five-time PGA Tour winner has rattled off three straight top-25 finishes with the latest coming in the form of a solo fourth-place finish at the Zozo Championship. There has been a lot of good during this run as Fowler’s iron play has improved week over week, and his new LAB putter is paying early dividends.