Brooks Koepka, Justin Thomas included as Zach Johnson finalises USA Ryder Cup team with captain's picks
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Published 29/08/2023 at 16:05 GMT
Zach Johnson has confirmed his six captain's picks for Team USA at the 2023 Ryder Cup in Rome. Brooks Koepka, Justin Thomas, Rickie Fowler, Jordan Spieth, Collin Morikawa, and Sam Burns will join the six automatic qualifiers at the event. Luke Donald is set to finalise the European team next week, with Team USA the defending Ryder Cup champions following their victory last time out in 2021.
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The USA team for the 2023 Ryder Cup in Rome has been finalised, with Brooks Koepka, Justin Thomas and Rickie Fowler among Zach Johnson’s six captain’s picks.
Jordan Spieth, Collin Morikawa and Sam Burns also make the 12-man team.
The six captain’s picks join the six automatic qualifiers - Scottie Scheffler, Wyndham Clark, Brian Harman, Patrick Cantlay, Max Homa and Xander Schauffele – as Team USA aim to win the Ryder Cup on European soil for the first time since 1993.
Burns is the only one of the captain’s picks who will be making his Ryder Cup debut, while Fowler returns after missing the last two editions of the team event.
Koepka is included following his move to LIV Golf and Thomas makes the team despite failing to qualify for the FedExCup Playoffs following a below-par season.
Among the players to miss out are Keegan Bradley, Lucas Glover and Cameron Young.
"A lot of time, lot of energy has gone into this process," said Johnson.
"I'm very confident in these six [picks]. That confidence comes from simply surrounding myself with great people.
"These are six guys who make the other guys whole."
Speaking about the decision to include Thomas in the team, Johnson said: “He has without question been the heart and soul of Team USA at Ryder Cups, our emotional leader.
“In my mind, he was born for this. You just don't leave JT at home."
Team USA are defending Ryder Cup champions following their victory last time out in 2021.
The 2023 tournament starts in Rome on September 29, with Team Europe captain Luke Donald naming his six captain’s picks on September 4 following the European Masters.
The six automatic qualifiers will also be confirmed after the European Masters, with Jon Rahm, Rory McIlroy and Viktor Hovland having secured their spots.
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