Bubba Watson hits his tee shot during the BMW Championship. Photo / Getty Images
US Ryder Cup captain Davis Love III is weighing up team chemistry versus elite player in considering the merits of twice Masters champion Bubba Watson for his final wildcard pick.
Based on his first three selections announced on Tuesday, Love has perhaps already decided against the brilliant but unpredictable Watson,
and will opt instead for an uncapped player such as Ryan Moore or Daniel Berger.
World No.7 Watson has played in the last three Ryder Cups and would be the third-highest ranked American if selected for this month's event against holders Europe in Minnesota.
However, the 37-year-old is viewed by many pundits as a risky option, and his putting could end up being his Achilles' heel.
Though he would add experience and a resume that includes seven PGA Tour titles along with his two Masters green jackets, he would also bring a reputation for being high maintenance.
Watson was the most notable omission when Love named his first three captain's picks - Rickie Fowler, JB Holmes and Matt Kuchar - having missed out on automatic qualification by just one spot.
Love will announce his final wildcard selection on September 25, after the season-ending Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta and he is widely expected to look beyond Watson.
"What would happen if Bubba Watson won at East Lake? Is that what he has to do to get the pick?" Golf Channel analyst Frank Nobilo said.
"It's obvious his (Love's) mind is on something else.
"The assumption there is Bubba has done something wrong."
Englishman Nick Faldo, a veteran of 11 Ryder Cups as player, initially pleaded the case for Watson before citing the merits of Moore, a standout amateur who has won five PGA Tour titles.
"If those are the names, between Bubba and Na and Berger, you've really got to go with Bubba because he's been there, he's got the experience," Faldo said.
"As long as he's got the chemistry for somebody to play with him. That's the issue, I think. Who wants to partner with him?
"Ryan Moore? Wow, that man can putt. The Ryder Cup, as we know ... you've got to keep knocking in those four, eight, 10-footers or whatever."
Since winning the Northern Trust Open in February and finishing second at the WGC-Cadillac Championship in his next start, Watson has failed to record a single top-10 finish on the PGA Tour.
