United States Ryder Cup captain Zach Johnson had the unenviable task of naming six picks, to go with the half a dozen already qualified, and he made some big calls.
Hohnson, a two-time Major champion is hoping his side can defend the title they won so convincingly at Whistling Straits last time out.
This year’s Ryder Cup will be played in Rome, Italy and while the US are slight favorites, it is always demanding traveling to Europe for the biggest team even in golf.
The six players include Matchplay specialists like Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth, while also bringing in the like of Rickie Fowler, Brooks Kopeka and Collin Morikawa.
The team is jam-packed with major winners, with the likes of Koepka picking up 5 wins already. He is the only LIV golfer on the US team, which may add a slight controversy, but there is no denying his match-winning capabilities.
Burns, at only 27-years-old is another Matchplay masterclass, winning the 2023 WGC-Dell Technologies tournament for his fifth PGA title.
He is an excellent putter, which is often the deciding factor in tight contests, averaging third on the US team that qualified, behind Xander Shaffele and Max Homa in Strokes Gained during putting (0.584).
There is no ‘rookie’ feeling in the Fowler camp, with the US player about to earn his 5th Ryder Cup appearance, making the 34-year-old one of the more experienced US team members.
Koepka has a 6-5-1 Ryder Cup career record and will be appearing in his fourth successive tourney. The current PGA champion, and winner at Oak Hill Country Club, which caps off a remarkable run of top two finishes in nine of his 24 Major appearances.
Morikawa is a double-Major champion and was the first rookie since Johnny nelson in 1979 to go 3-0-0 in his first three Ryder Cup foursomes and fourballs combined.
Spieth is another dynamic player on the US team, winning six of his eight matches, coming from behind. This is a marked quality that Jonson and his team will be looking to maximize.
JT will be appearing in his third Ryder Cup and while he is out of form currently, is still a valuable team player, with a career 6-2-1 Ryder Cup record.
The six join Max Homa, Patrick Cantlay, Schaffele, Scottie Sheffler, Brian Harman and Wyndham Clark.
