One was the “Bubble Boy” at the BMW Championship. Another is in the same spot this week at the 2024 Tour Championship.

This week at East Lake Golf Club, Keegan Bradley – 50th a week ago – and Justin Thomas – 30th this week – as well as Chris Kirk, hope to show 2024 Presidents Cup captain Jim Furyk that they deserve a spot on the U.S. team as it prepares to face the international team in September.

The top six players from the United States were announced as automatic qualifiers on Sunday evening. The other six will be nominated as captain’s choice for the biennial competition Sept. 26-29 at the Royal Montreal Golf Club in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Bradley jumped eight places to 10th in the Presidents Cup standings after winning the 2024 BMW Championship last Sunday, after finishing last in the FedEx Cup standings at Castle Pines Golf Club.

The 2025 Ryder Cup captain said he had discussions with Furyk about the Presidents Cup squad.

“I’ve spoken to him a little bit. We’ll chat a little bit more throughout the week,” he said on Wednesday. “I want to do what’s best for the team. I really, really mean that. If it’s best for the team that I play, then I want to play. If it’s best for me to be vice-captain and there are better matchups, then I’m happy to do that.”

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Justin Thomas was last in the field this week. When he finished his round in Colorado last Sunday, he sounded like a golfer who thought he wouldn’t make the cut for East Lake, but when he got home to Jupiter, Florida, he realized he had a spot in Atlanta.

Now he’s playing the wait-and-see game again. Does he feel like this is audition week?

“I guess I would answer that like this: I don’t think that’s me for me, but if I were him, I would say that’s me, if that makes sense,” he said. “Given how many guys have a chance, I think it would be. … he’s definitely looking at guys that are potential picks and how they play.”

“I’m definitely more relaxed now than I was last year about being selected and it’s not because I don’t want to be on the team or I feel like it’s not that important,” he continued. “I’ve just got my priorities better and if I play the golf I should be playing, it will take care of itself.”

“Of course I really want to be on this team.”

Thomas dropped three places to 19th after the BMW. Chris Kirk, who finished ninth in the BMW, remained in 13th place.

“I would say that’s kind of in the back of my mind,” Kirk said Wednesday. “It’s something I’d absolutely love to be a part of. I’m not going to lie to you about that. But I think it’s pretty easy for me to realize that these things are so uncontrollable. I can really just go out and do my best and just see what happens. But yeah, I’m just excited to be here and have the opportunity.”

Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele, Collin Morikawa, Wyndham Clark, Patrick Cantlay and Sahith Theegala are the automatic qualifiers. The next six in the rankings as of August 28, 2024:

7. Sam Burns

8. Tony Finau

9. Russell Henley

10. Keegan Bradley

11. Brian Harman

12. Max Homa

Furyk will announce his six captain picks on Tuesday, September 3.