If there was any doubt about Ryan Gerard’s work ethic, it was put to bed shortly after the 27-year-old UNC alum’s solo third place finish at the Tour Championship on Sunday.
Instead of rest and recovery, Gerard is opting for more golf — taking a redeye flight overseas hours after falling four strokes shy of Scottie Scheffler’s 16-under mark in Atlanta. Gerard is one of a handful of players who played in this month’s FedExCup playoffs not taking a Labor Day weekend vacation.
He told reporters at East Lake that he’s set to play in this week’s Omega European Masters, a DP World Tour event held at Golf Club Crans-sur-Sierre in Switzerland.
“We’re getting ready to grind, season’s not over for me,” Gerard said. “Frustrated with some of the results, a lot of positives, but still work left to do.”
For the No. 22-ranked Gerard, the Tour Championship was technically his last chance to sway his Presidents Cup fate. He will know U.S. captain Brandt Snedeker’s decision before he tees off Thursday.
Snedeker and Team International captain Geoff Ogilvy are set to name their respective six picks during a special selection show on Golf Channel at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 1. Some of the contenders vying for Snedeker’s attention — and final roster spot — are Jackson Koivun, Akshay Bhatia, Jacob Bridgeman and Michael Brennan.
“I need to play two more DP World Tour events to maintain not being suspended from their Tour, so that was one of them” Gerard explained of his decision to play this weekend.
“Full transparency, if I get a Presidents Cup spot, I’d love to kind of roll into there being a little bit more prepared,,” he added. “I like to play a lot of golf. And if I don’t [make the roster], I’ll probably just stay over there and play Wentworth and the France Open after that. I’ll be ready for whatever the future holds, but I need to get a couple more events in.”
Gerard, who won his lone Tour event at the Barracuda Championship in July 2025, said he feels most prepared when he’s in a rhythm.
He opened the season with a pair of runner-up finishes at the Sony Open and the American Express, and enters the European Masters in good form with three T-10 finishes in his previous six events.
“If I just keep giving myself chances, eventually one’s going to go in,” said Gerard, who shared the 36-hole lead with Viktor Hovland at the Tour Championship but stumbled on Sunday with a 2-over 72. “I won last year. I’ve given myself a few opportunities this year. I have no doubt in my mind that, if I continue putting myself in solid positions, I’ll get it done.”
“It’s not for a lack of effort, it’s not for a lack of mentality,” he added. “It’s just I didn’t have it as well as I needed it today and just grinded it out hard. Hat’s off to Scottie. 66 out there is pretty nice given some of the pin placements and the conditions.”
