Zach Johnson: LIV players on Ryder Cup team ‘not on my radar’
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US Ryder Cup captain Zach Johnson said he will only see players at Majors and PGA Tour events as he assembles a 12-man squad to defend the trophy.
PHOTO: AFP
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK – United States Ryder Cup captain Zach Johnson said players from the LIV Golf League are “not on my radar”.
But he would not shut down contact from anyone interested in facing Europe.
Two LIV stars – four-time Major winner Brooks Koepka and two-time Major champion Dustin Johnson – said on Wednesday they would love to play for him in Rome in September.
On the eve of the PGA Championship at Oak Hill, Zach said he will only see players at Majors and PGA Tour events as he assembles a 12-man squad to defend the trophy.
“It’s not even a discussion item,” he said, when asked how much thought he gave to LIV talent on the US team.
“It would be premature and almost irresponsible to even go into that. It’s not on my radar right now.”
Several big names left the PGA Tour for Saudi-backed LIV Golf in 2022 and were banned by the tour.
But Major organisers, including US Ryder Cup administrators PGA of America, allow LIV players to compete.
Out of PGA Tour events, LIV players will likely need one of Zach’s six captain’s picks to make the team.
Europe will lack Ryder Cup veterans Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter and Sergio Garcia, ruled ineligible by the DP World Tour
Dustin, last week’s LIV winner in Tulsa, has played on five US Ryder Cup teams.
He helped the Americans win in 2016 before going 5-0 for the 2021 team that routed Europe 19-9 at Whistling Straits.
Asked if Dustin is among the top 12 American players, Zach was unsure.
“Really difficult for me to judge that,” Zach said. “I don’t know the golf courses they’re playing.
“Never seen them. I’m not there on foot, in person.
“(His) resume is extremely deep and wide. He’s certainly, in my generation, one of the best players I’ve ever competed against, but it’s not fair for me to guess his true form.”
He did not, however, rule out LIV talent on the squad.
“You’re talking about a number of guys that are my friends. I would fully embrace the opportunity to speak with them,” Zach said.
“I’m an open book. They can call me. They have my number.
“I’m not going to sit here and say I’m shutting that down.”
Dustin Johnson said he would definitely like to play in the Ryder Cup.
PHOTO: AFP
The first knock at his door came from Dustin.
“I have no idea if I’d get picked,” he said.
“If I continue to play really well for the rest of the year, then obviously there’s a chance.
“Yes, I would definitely like to play in the Ryder Cup. It’s one of my favourite events.
“I’ve known Zach for a long time, so I’m sure he’s keeping an eye on things...
“Play well in the next three Majors and just play some good, solid, consistent golf from here on out (for) the rest of the year.
“Who knows what will happen?”
Koepka was a runner-up at April’s Masters and on the 2021 US squad as well, going 2-2.
Brooks Koepka said it would be awesome to represent the US in the Ryder Cup, but the decision was not his.
PHOTO: AFP
“I haven’t really seen where he’s at since Augusta. He played really good that one week, but it’s one week,” Zach said.
Koepka hopes to play well enough to make Zach consider him.
“It would be awesome to represent the United States. Anytime we do it, it’s always fun,” Koepka said. “But it’s not up to me. It’s up to Zach and what goes on.
“It’s tough to be in Zach’s mind or where he is at, but I would love to make it hard on him.
“I think that would be cool. The only thing I can do is go play good.
“If I play good, everything takes care of itself.”
The United States have won two of the last three Ryder Cups after Europe claimed three in a row (2010, 2012, 2014).
AFP, REUTERS
