Four months. Then Zach Johnson, captain of the USA team at the Ryder Cup in September, has to make a decision about his roster. Representatives of LIV Golf among his choices?
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“It’s not even on my radar,” said “ZJ” yesterday during his press conference on the sidelines of the PGA of America Championship.
Because LIV golfers who are still members of the PGA will continue to be eligible to compete in the prestigious biennial competition, which this time will be held in Rome, Italy.
With the points system introduced in 2022, members of the top 6 are guaranteed to represent their country. The other six are chosen by the captain.
All LIV golfers therefore fall into this category as they are far from the top 6 unless they win one of the three major championships still at stake by the fateful date of August 20th.
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But according to Johnson’s nonverbal testimony, when asked about the possibility of Dustin Johnson and Brooks Koepka representing the United States next September, one could doubt their presence. And that despite the fact that DJ led the competition in the fall of 2021 with five wins at Whistling Straits.
“My vision is that anyone who wants to make the team has to try and finish in the top six,” said Zach Johnson. As for Dustin, he has a long track record. He’s one of the best of my generation, but it’s not fair to guess his true form if I can’t see it.”
The captain travels to Grand Slam tournaments and those of the PGA Tour. So from that statement, we take it that LIV’s color bearers need to roll up their sleeves at the PGA Championship, as well as the American and British omniums.
More than a good week
So far, “ZJ” has only seen Johnson and Koepka in action in Augusta. The first finished 48th and the second finished second, escaping victory in the final round. Since then, DJ won the LIV tournament last week while Koepka won in April.
“I haven’t really seen her since Augusta. Brooks played very well there. But it’s only a week. I can’t speak specifically. There is still a lot of golf left before the decisions are made.”
For that reason, the captain will also keep an eye on it in Rochester, in Los Angeles in a month’s time and in Liverpool in mid-July. Johnson, Koepka and company must continue to distinguish themselves from the world golfing elite as they compete against a limited 48-man field on the LIV Tour.
With nothing left to prove, these two warring factions are among the big names aiming for the imposing Wanamaker Trophy at Oak Hill. Some of them are aiming for a first win this season, like Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay.