Brooks Koepka and LIV Golfers receive massive boost in their quest to play at the Ryder Cup
Team US golf captain Zach Johnson has stated that Brooks Koepka and other LIV golfers will be able to qualify for the 2023 Ryder Cup in Rome.
Speaking on Koepka's form at the 2023 PGA Championship, Johnson was quite confident about him getting into the team for the Ryder Cup. He said:
"Yeah, he's [Koepka is] on the team. He's got direct ownership in that, absolutely!"
Zack Johnson says Brooks Koepka will be on the Ryder Cup team should he qualify automatically: “Yeah, he's on the team. He's got direct ownership in that, absolutely.”🇺🇸🇪🇺 Zack Johnson says Brooks Koepka will be on the Ryder Cup team should he qualify automatically: “Yeah, he's on the team. He's got direct ownership in that, absolutely.”
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Since the Ryder Cup has a different set of rules, LIV golfers can be on either 12-man team. However, when Zach Johnson was asked if any LIV golfers will make their way into his team for the event, set to take place in Rome, he said:
"I don't know. I can't answer that. I'll say this: The guys that are on the PGA Tour that make that team, they have direct ownership in that collectively."
"I think it's too premature" - Zach Johnson on Brooks Koepka making his way into the US' Ryder Cup team
Brooks Koepka had an incredible outing at the 2023 PGA Championship. He managed to secure his fifth major and third PGA Championship trophy on Sunday, May 21.
When Zach Johnson was asked if Koepka could make his way into the US' Ryder Cup team, he indicated that he was not quite sure as it's still early doors:
"I think it's too premature, frankly irresponsible, to even have any sort of opinion about that."
Johnson gave a set of points that would decide if LIV golfers would make their way into the Ryder Cup team.
"I think given where we are at right now, there's a lot of points out, No. 1."
According to Johnson, LIV Golf has a bunch of elevated tournaments and the officials would look into it and decide on their participation at the Ryder Cup. He also added a third point, saying:
"No. 2, you have a bunch of elevated events. Shoot, No. 3, if you go back on history, there's names right now that probably on both tours that we're not even mentioning that could have a chance given what's from us.
"So I haven't even begun to discuss picks with anybody that I trust in my circle, specifically the vice captains. I feel like it's irrelevant to even discuss."
Earlier this week, Johnson outlined his plans for Team US' Ryder Cup campaign. He said that his 12-man team will go to Marco Simone Golf and Country Club, where the tournament will be held, two weeks prior to the start of the event.
"I have something already in store and a plan. I made it a priority that I'm taking the 12 guys that make my team to Rome two weeks prior to the event - two and a half weeks prior to the event," he stated.
"So that way we get our feet on the grounds, they get their feet on the grounds, experience Marco Simone first hand."
He added that this will give them a realistic approach to the tournament and collect some data which will help them analyze what needs to be done.
"I think that trip right there is going to be crucial. Certainly chemistry and camaraderie and all that good stuff inside the locker room. It's a priority for those guys to get on Marco Simone," Johnson said.
While Johnson seems confident, only time will tell if Brooks Koepka or any other LIV golfer gets a chance to play at the 2023 Ryder Cup in Rome.