Jim Furyk expressed surprise after Darren Clarke was overlooked as a wildcard pick by European Ryder Cup captain Nick Faldo.
Clarke, who has played in the last five teams, had been widely regarded as a likely selection for next month's matches in Louisville, Kentucky but Faldo opted for Paul Casey and Ian Poulter.
'I think everyone kind of felt like Darren was going to get the nod,' Furyk told reporters after shooting a two-under-par 69 in the third round of the Deutsche Bank Championship.
'All of his team-mates and actually our guys respect him. He's a good friend of a bunch of guys over here and I know the guys on their team love him.
'He's great behind the scenes, a good team guy, so I think I'm a little surprised Darren wasn't a pick.
'From a personal perspective, Darren is a friend and I feel badly for him that he's not there,' added Furyk, who like the Northern Irishman has played in the last five Ryder Cups.
'He's a great guy and a team member but Ian and Paul are both good players and good match play players.'
Des Smyth also voiced his surprise at Clarke's ommission.
Speaking on Morning Ireland, Smyth, the European vice-captain at the last match against the US, said that the decision did not make any sense and that Clarke would have been his first pick.
He went on to say that he did not think the team would be weakened, but he felt morale will be effected.
Furyk, who will go into today's final round at the TPC Boston four strokes behind pace-setting Canadian Mike Weir, said he had been beaten by both Casey and Poulter.
'They both whipped me, Paul in the last round of the last (Ryder) Cup and Ian beat me in the WGC event (the Accenture Match Play Championship,' he added. 'I think they're two solid picks.'
Furyk is one of eight Americans who have already qualified for next month's Ryder Cup. US captain Paul Azinger will add his four wildcard picks on Tuesday to complete the 12-man team.
The Ryder Cup takes place at Valhalla Golf Club from 19-21 September.
