Ryder Cup 2023: Zach Johnson confirmed as captain of the American team to try to keep the trophy | Golf News

Zach Johnson succeeds Steve Stricker as Team USA’s bid to retain the trophy at Marco Simone Golf Club in Italy next year; the two-time major champion has played in five Ryder Cups and was vice-captain twice

Zach Johnson has been confirmed as USA captain for their 2023 Ryder Cup defense, succeeding Steve Stricker in the role.

The PGA of America revealed Johnson’s nomination at a press conference on Monday and the man, who turns 46 on Thursday, will be in charge of keeping the trophy at Marco Simone Golf Club in Italy next September, live on Sky Sports’ dedicated Ryder Cup channel.

USA haven’t won the Ryder Cup on European soil since 1993, but did claim a record 19-9 victory at Whistling Straits last year, with all 12 of their squad ranked in the world’s top 21 at the time.

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Steve Stricker has compared guiding Team USA to a record Ryder Cup win at Whistling Straits to winning a major and explains what it’s like to captain Team USA

Johnson has served as assistant captain twice before, serving as Jim Furyk in 2018 in Paris and then Stricker in the United States’ 19-9 win at Whistling Straits last year.

The two-time major champion has made five Ryder Cup appearances as a player, making his debut in 2006 and then appearing in four consecutive editions of the biennial contest from 2010 to victory for Team USA at Hazeltine.

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Padraig Harrington hailed his team’s efforts and defended his decision-making after Team USA secured a record Ryder Cup win

Johnson has won 12 career victories on the PGA Tour, including the Masters in 2007 and the Open in 2015. He has also appeared in four Presidents’ Cups for Team USA – being part of the winning team each times.

Fred Couples was the winning captain of three U.S. Presidents Cup teams and twice Ryder Cup vice-captain, while Matt Kuchar, one of Furyk’s vice-captains in 2018, was among other potential names being considered for the role.

Who will be the captain of Team Europe?

Europe are also expected to announce their next Ryder Cup captain in the coming weeks, with many possible names to succeed Padraig Harrington.

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2014 Ryder Cup Europe captain Paul McGinley says Luke Donald and Henrik Stenson are in line to take on captaincy role at next Ryder Cup

Former world number 1 Lee Westwood was initially the favorite to succeed Harrington, having made 11 Ryder Cup appearances as a player and also having been vice-captain to Thomas Bjorn in the 2018 victory, although the Englishman has since declared himself ineligible for the role.

Luke Donald has emerged as a strong contender for the job, with the former world No. 1 having played on four Ryder Cup winning teams and serving as vice-captain in the last two events.

Henrik Stenson made five Ryder Cup appearances as a player, including in Europe’s victory at Le Golf National in 2018, before working as one of Harrington’s assistants in Wisconsin last year.

Swedish Companion Robert Karlson is another possibility for the role, having played in two Ryder Cups and also receiving high praise from the two captains he worked with during his two spells as vice-captain.

Graeme McDowell has ruled himself out of the captaincy race, while Ian Poulter, Martin Kaymer and Paul Lawrie have all served as vice-captains.

More soon…

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