U.S. Presidents Cup picture has yet to come into focus for captain Jay Haas

EDISON, N.J. – U.S. Presidents Cup captain Jay Haas doesn’t think motivating his squad despite its domination in the event will be a difficult task when the Stars & Stripes faces the International team in Korea in October.

Filling out the team, on the other hand, is going to test him.

And The Barclays – so far – has done nothing but cloud up the Presidents Cup pickle Haas faces.

The first event of the FedExCup Playoffs playing out over the quirky old school golf course named Plainfield Country Club is leaving more questions than answers for Haas through 36 holes.

This week and next week’s Deutsche Bank Championship at TPC Boston offer the last chances for players to become one of the top 10 in the standings who automatically make the team, which will try to win for the 10th time in 12 contests. Then Haas, who will lean heavily on assistants Davis Love III, Fred Couples and Steve Stricker, will announce his two discretionary picks to fill out the squad the day after Deutsche Bank concludes. Haas will consider form, experience, potential pairings and other factors when choosing his two picks.

Sounds simple enough.

Trouble is, however, there are a lot of Americans who will have a say in the final outcome.

“It’s one of the toughest parts of the job,” Haas said of picking two players to reach 12 and leaving many others at home.

Based on the current standings and the points still on the table to be earned, it’s likely the top 7 in the standings at the moment will make the team – Jordan Spieth, Bubba Watson, Jimmy Walker, Zach Johnson, Jim Furyk, Dustin Johnson and Patrick Reed. No. 8 Rickie Fowler and No. 9 Matt Kuchar are in solid positions to remain an automatic pick.

Then matters gets complicated.

Chris Kirk, who missed two months due to a broken hand, is No. 10 but missed the cut this week and will earn zero points. Also missing the cut were No. 13 and reigning FedExCup champion Billy Horschel, No. 14 Brandt Snedeker and No. 17 Brooks Koepka, who has had the hottest hand of late.

Bill Haas, the captain’s son, made the cut and will earn points that could move him up from No. 11. J.B. Holmes at No. 12, Webb Simpson at No. 15, Charley Hoffman at No. 16, Robert Streb at No. 18 and Kevin Na at No. 19 all made the cut and will earn points.

So, too, will Phil Mickelson, who was No. 29 entering the week. Lefty, who made the cut and started the third round in 38th place, has just three top-10s this year. He’s been on every Presidents Cup and Ryder Cup team since 1994, a staggering 20 in a row. Unless Mickelson wins this week or in Boston – or goes 2-2 – he would have to be a captain’s pick for the first time.

“I don't want to have to be a pick. I haven't been a pick in 20 years. I don't want to be a pick now,” Mickelson said. “I want to get on the team on my own merit, but I haven't played well enough.”

Holmes, who was in the third grade when he first played for Taylor County High School varsity golf squad, played in the Palmer Cup, Walker Cup and Ryder Cup. He wants to add the Presidents Cup to the list.

“I’m just out here trying to do the best that I can and they will add it up at the end. I would love to be on the team, I want to be on the team and represent my country. And I do think about it. Just not when I’m playing,” Holmes said. “I’ve always really enjoyed playing team golf. You grow up playing team golf. I miss that team atmosphere. I miss being part of a team ... But if I make the team or not, the Americans are going to be great.”

And heavily favored. Which gets us back to the pressure Haas will face in making sure his squad isn’t overconfident.

“I know it seems like a long year, but there's nothing like representing your country,” Haas said. “You look at a guy like Phil, who's been on 10 straight teams, and he's as motivated as anybody to get there, to get on that team ... Winning never gets old. I don't care if you're a team, an individual, whatever it is. So I don't think there would be any challenge to get them up for the matches. But we have to get our 12 guys first.”

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