Zach Johnson: Brooks Koepka, like Justin Thomas, was ‘straightforward’ Ryder Cup decide

Just one participant from LIV Golf will play within the Ryder Cup, and that’s Brooks Koepka, who received the 2023 PGA Championship at Oak Hill.

U.S. Captain Zach Johnson chosen Koepka as one among his captain’s picks on Tuesday.

“When it got here to Koepka, his expertise, his temperament, his ardour for the Ryder Cup all spoke volumes,” Johnson stated.

“He and I’ve communicated lots over the previous few months. We have now had nice discussions, very candid discussions, and when he began to make his method onto this group—the way in which I see it, he mainly earned his method onto the group while you get right down to the pennies and {dollars} of it, it was a fairly straightforward decide.”

Alongside along with his victory in Rochester, Koepka completed in a tie for second at The Masters in April. He has undoubtedly been top-of-the-line 12 American gamers this season, no matter tour.

Picture by Keyur Khamar/PGA TOUR through Getty Photos

But, considerably sarcastically, Phil Mickelson shot a 7-under 65 through the closing spherical of The Masters, which tied Koepka on the finish of play. Every participant then obtained $1,584,000 in prize cash.

If he had completed solo 2nd, Koepka would have earned $1,944,000.

And since Ryder Cup factors have been predicated on whole earnings, Koepka earned solely 2,376 factors at Augusta Nationwide as an alternative of two,916 factors.

Then, months later, following the BMW Championship, which marked the tip of computerized qualifying for the U.S. group, Koepka completed 29 factors shy of Xander Schauffele, who claimed the sixth and closing computerized qualifying spot.

However that doesn’t matter now, as Koepka might be a part of 12 gamers representing the purple, white, and blue at Marco Simone Golf Membership in Rome, Italy, subsequent month.

“What figured in my decision-making was making an attempt to select six gents that made six guys that earned their method, entire, which means they’re all one-twelfth of the group,” Johnson added. “These guys are usually not ranked. They’re all part of the group, equally.”

Curiously, Johnson made waves not by choosing somebody from the LIV tour, however by additionally choosing Justin Thomas. The 2-time main winner has had a very poor season, taking pictures profession lows and lacking the minimize at a pair majors.

But, Johnson stated after the announcement of the group that was additionally a straightforward choice for him.

What are your ideas on both JT or Brooks being on Crew USA? Tell us within the feedback beneath.

Jack Milko is a golf employees author for SB Nation’s Taking part in By means of. You possibly can observe him on Twitter @jack_milko for extra golf protection. Remember to take a look at @_PlayingThrough too.