LIV Golf star questions Zach Johnson over two of his Ryder Cup picks?!
LIV Golf player and European Ryder Cup legend Lee Westwood raises question marks over two of Zach Johnson's US Ryder Cup picks.
LIV Golf star and European Ryder Cup legend Lee Westwood has questioned some picks in the US Ryder Cup team by captain Zach Johnson.
Westwood considers the decision to take an out-of-form Justin Thomas to the Ryder Cup as a risky one, especially as it piles "extra pressure" on the two-time US PGA champion to perform in Rome next month.
Johnson's 12-man team was completed on Tuesday afternoon as the two-time major champion confirmed his six captain's picks.
The six captain's picks were:
They now join:
Once learning of the six captain's picks in the US Ryder Cup team, Tiger Woods' ex golf coach Hank Haney labelled Johnson's wildcards as the "boys club".
Has Zach Johnson picked his best side?
GolfMagic Editor @AndyRobertsGolf and News Editor @BenSmithGolf discuss further... #RyderCup
— GolfMagic (@GolfMagic) August 31, 2023
Thomas was the most controversial pick of them all, especially having missed six of his last 12 cuts on the PGA Tour.
That saw him miss out on qualifying for the FedEx Cup Playoffs for the first time in his career earlier this month.
One PGA Tour winner considers Thomas will be a "total liability" at the Ryder Cup.
While Westwood does not go that far about Thomas, he does consider the pressure has been piled on him with his somewhat controversial pick.
The seven-time Ryder Cup winner thinks Johnson should have just sided with the top 12 in the US Ryder Cup team standings.
He considers if the likes of Thomas, and also Fowler do not perform at the Ryder Cup, then Johnson will have serious questions to answer when all is said and done at Marco Simone Golf Club.
Scroll down for Westwood's tweet...
Westwood, who tied Sir Nick Faldo's record of 11 appearances in the European Ryder Cup team in 2021, thinks Team USA would have "had a great team" had Johnson just "gone straight down the list" with the top 12.
If @ZachJohnsonPGA would have gone straight down the list he would have had a great team. He clearly has a plan in mind and picked 2 outside of that 12. Which is a captain’s prerogative. There is however extra pressure when your a pick and not playing well. #RyderCup pic.twitter.com/k4xql5VO9x
— Lee Westwood (@WestwoodLee) August 30, 2023
Fowler, who returned to the winner's circle with victory at the Rocket Mortgage Classic earlier this year, was ranked 13th, while Thomas was ranked 15th.
Johnson overlooked Cameron Young, who was ranked ninth in the standings, and Keegan Bradley, who was 11th.
Denny McCarthy was ranked 14th, but he was refused a pick as many expected.
Westwood tweeted:
Westwood received plenty of criticism for his take on Johnson's picks, no doubt from ardent Thomas and Fowler fans!
There’s a lot of angry, misinformed people on Twitter (X) aren’t there. Whatever it’s called this week
— Lee Westwood (@WestwoodLee) August 31, 2023
LIV Golf's Phil Mickelson is the only player to have played in more Ryder Cups than Westwood at 12.
Koepka was the only LIV Golf player to receive a pick in the team.
He will be the only LIV representative at the Ryder Cup as Team Europe will not be allowed pick any of their players.
Luke Donald will make his six captain's picks in the European Ryder Cup team on Monday.
Many consider LIV Golf duo Bryson DeChambeau and Dustin Johnson were unfortunate to miss out on the US Ryder Cup team given their past experience.
DeChambeau recently shot a 58 to win his first LIV Golf event, while former World No.1 Johnson went 5-0 at the 2021 Ryder Cup.
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What was Fred Couples thinking?!
One of Johnson's vice-captains Fred Couples said Bradley 'not being tight' with other golfers on the US Ryder Cup team factored into not being a captain's pick.
But Couples was left with egg on his face this week when Johnson named his picks.
The 63-year-old had previously been quoted as saying that Young and Homa would be on the plane to Italy no matter what.
Awkward...
What do you make of Johnson's six picks? Has it taken a big risk with Thomas or was he the best choice? Share your thoughts and comments over on the GolfMagic social media channels.
