Zach Johnson will "probably" SNUB LIV Golf players over Ryder Cup picks
Has Zach Johnson just given the game away ahead of making his US Ryder Cup picks?!
Zach Johnson has confessed he will "probably" snub LIV Golf League players and choose PGA Tour players when it comes to making his six captain's picks for the US Ryder Cup team later this month.
While Johnson's six picks following the conclusion of the Tour Championship later this month are still very much up in the air, Johnson did confirm to Colt Knost and Drew Stoltz on GOLF's Subpar podcast how he will more than likely side with PGA Tour players.
As it stands, Brooks Koepka is the only LIV Golf player boarding a plane to Rome next month as a result of the five-time major champion earning his way into the US Ryder Cup via the six automatic spots.
While a number of LIV Golf League players such as Bryson DeChambeau, Dustin Johnson and Talor Gooch thought they had thrown their hats into the ring for picks in the US Ryder Cup team, it would appear they are all going to be overlooked.
DeChambeau and Johnson have played and excelled in multiple Ryder Cup teams previously, while Gooch was looking to make his debut.
When pressed by Colt and Drew for clues about his six picks, Johnson replied:
You very much feel the "not necessarily" is solely based on whether or not Koepka comes through as one of the six automatics following the conclusion of play at this week's BMW Championship, the second leg of the PGA Tour's FedEx Cup Playoffs.
Should Koepka fall out of the automatics on Sunday night based on other results this week, then Johnson will more than likely still pick him as one of his six wildcards.
Honestly lost for words Zach Johnson has ghosted Bryson DeChambeau. Totally unacceptable as US Ryder Cup captain. Just produced one of the most incredible performances seen all season with a 58, and even threw in a T4 at US PGA. Not even a call
https://t.co/3CvpaWDZRl— Andy Roberts (@AndyRobertsGolf) August 18, 2023
When Johnson was pressed by Knost and Stolz to give his views on the form of LIV Golf League players on the cusp of earning picks in the US Ryder Cup team, the two-time major champion surprisingly chose to ghost the standout 58 of DeChambeau en route to his six-stroke romp at Greenbrier as well as the three-win season of Gooch.
Johnson seemingly doesn't have access to The CW Network.
He was happy to chat about Koepka though.
Johnson told Knost and Stolz:
DeChambeau confirmed in an interview with @FlushingItGolf that he has indeed received "zero communication" from Johnson in the lead up to the Ryder Cup.
#DECISION LOOMING — On the @golf_subpar podcast, Captain Zach Johnson gave insight into Justin Thomas potentially getting a captains pick: “We’ve been communicating. I would hope that he understands and he does. Open lines, we’re gonna keep the honesty train going, we’re… pic.twitter.com/GF2D1Jhqzs
— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) August 17, 2023
On the flip side, Johnson then confirmed he has been in close communication with Justin Thomas in terms of the out-of-form PGA Tour star still receiving one of his six picks.
While he did not sound particularly confident JT will be boarding a plane to Rome, he has at least left the door open for him.
Something many golf fans find hard to believe given Thomas has endured one of his worst seasons to date on the PGA Tour having missed out on the FedEx Cup Playoffs for the first time in his career.
Johnson told the podcast:
Thomas is currently priced at a short 2/5 to make the US Ryder Cup team.
Here's a look at the odds:
Brooks Koepka - 1/20
Max Homa - 1/12
Rickie Fowler - 1/8
Collin Morikawa - 1/4
Justin Thomas - 2/5
Cameron Young - 4/9
Tony Finau - 6/4
Sam Burns - 7/4
Keegan Bradley - 2/1
Denny McCarthy - 8/1
Dustin Johnson - 8/1
Russell Henley - 8/1
Bryson DeChambeau - 10/1
Sahith Theegala - 14/1
Talor Gooch - 20/1
Patrick Reed - 20/1
Is Zach Johnson wrong to overlook LIV Golf players at the Ryder Cup? How much is politics getting involved here? Which six guys do you think he will pick later this month? Share your thoughts and comments over on the GolfMagic social media channels.
Andy first joined the brand on a month's work experience back in April 2011, and he now assumes the Editor role. When Andy joined GolfMagic it was a small site with potential.
