Brooks Koepka and Dustin Johnson make same Ryder Cup admission

LIV Golf stars Brooks Koepka and Dustin Johnson have both outlined their desire to play for the USA in the Ryder Cup.

The duo are both eligible for the biennial contest against Europe, despite their indefinite bans from the PGA Tour following moves to the Saudi-funded LIV circuit.

Koepka is the highest ranked of the LIV players in the American qualifying standings (22nd), while Johnson is down in 37th.

The top six will automatically qualify for this September’s showdown in Rome, but US captain Zach Johnson will also have six wildcards to select to complete his 12-man team.

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And it will be difficult to ignore a pair with six major titles between them if Koepka and Johnson both continue their impressive form.

A fit and resurgent Koepka finished T2 at The Masters, while Johnson claimed his second individual LIV title in the breakaway league’s event in Tulsa last week.

“It would be awesome to represent the United States,” Koepka said. “Anytime we do it it’s always fun, but I’m not focused on it. It’s not my first thought when I go play well this week. If I handle my business out here, everything will take care of itself.

“If you win, go second, first, first, first, it would be kind of tough not to pick, right? If you go handle business, I feel like I should be fine. But it’s not up to me. It’s up to Zach and what goes on.

“I just play my best and see what happens from there, but I would love to play for him. It’s tough to be in Zach’s mind or where he is at, but I would love to make it hard on him.”

US captain Johnson has claimed that the prospect of LIV golfers making his team is “not even a discussion item” at this stage ahead of the PGA Championship on Thursday.

But his namesake Dustin, who finished at Whistling Straights in 2021 with a perfect 5-0 record, believes he can force his way into the reckoning with strong performances in the three remaining majors.

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“I have no idea if I’d get picked,” Johnson said. “Obviously if I continue to play really well for the rest of the year, then obviously there’s a chance. I would definitely like to play in the Ryder Cup. It’s one of my favourite events to play in, especially after the last Ryder Cup.

“I’ve known Zach for a long time, so I’m sure he’s keeping an eye on things. You just never know.

“Obviously play well in the majors, the next three majors, and just play some good, solid, consistent golf from here on out the rest of the year, who knows what will happen.

“I think I’ve proven myself out here for a long enough time where I don’t need to keep proving myself. I already have for many years. Same with all the other guys. It’s just where we play at. It doesn’t change the style of golfer we are.”

Ben Parsons joined bunkered as a Content Producer in 2023 and is the man to come to for all of the latest news, across both the professional and amateur games. Formerly of The Mirror and Press Association, he is a member at Halifax Golf Club and is a long-suffering fan of both Manchester United and the Wales rugby team.