The sparkle from the Americans’ lopsided Ryder Cup victory last fall against the Europeans at Whistling Straits remains, but a turn toward the 2023 Ryder Cup matches in Rome has begun.
The PGA of America was expected to announce Zach Johnson as the ’23 captain at a news conference Monday morning, giving the two-time major champion 19 months to bring together a squad that will attempt to win overseas for the first time in 30 years.
Johnson’s appointment is no great surprise. He has been a vice captain at the past two Ryder Cups, fitting into the American model of naming captains who have been part of the process previously.
As a five-time Ryder Cup player, Johnson – who has 12 PGA Tour wins including the 2007 Masters and the 2015 Open Championship – is well respected among his peers. He had been considered the likely 2022 Presidents Cup captain but that role went to Davis Love III, who will captain the United States side at Quail Hollow in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he was born.
“I like Zach,” Brooks Koepka said. “He’s always been fun in the team rooms. He’s been kind of a little bit of a rah-rah guy, which is always good.
“We all knew he was in line, knew it was going to happen sooner or later, so it’s nice to see him get one. The stuff he does behind closed doors is what I think makes the big difference, and I think every guy that’s played on a team that he’s been an assistant or played with him would definitely agree with that and be happy to see him do it.”
Johnson will succeed Steve Stricker who led the U.S. to its record 19-9 victory against Europe last September. It remains uncertain who will follow Pádraig Harrington as captain of the European team.
Luke Donald has emerged as a likely choice after presumed frontrunner Lee Westwood indicated he wants to remain focused on his playing career.
Ron Green Jr.