Jon Rahm’s live reaction to Justin Thomas US Ryder Cup pick 

Jon Rahm was expecting Justin Thomas and Brooks Koepka to get Ryder Cup wildcard picks and felt there was only one contentious spot on the US team.

The Masters champion was responding live with GOLF.com to Zach Johnson’s six captain’s picks as he finalised his American team to take on Team Europe just outside Rome.

Johnson has showed huge faith in the out-of-form Thomas, while Koepka is the only LIV player included in his 12-man team.

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Jordan Spieth, Collin Morikawa, Rickie Fowler and Sam Burns claimed the remaining four spots ahead of the match at Marco Simone.

Rahm, who will look to spearhead the European challenge, had already predicted most of Johnson’s selections.

“I’m assuming Justin Thomas was picked and maybe that’s what people are trying to create a buzz about,” he said, before James Colgan revealed the wildcards.

“I mean, there’s no surprises there. I would have been able to tell you 11. That 12th spot was between maybe three players. You could make an argument for each one.

Our @jamescolgan26 got to share Zach Johnson's captain's picks with Jon Rahm today. pic.twitter.com/1IsmxDsTVI

— GOLF.com (@GOLF_com) August 30, 2023

“I’m not surprised Sam [Burns] got picked though. He’s been playing great the last few years, maybe not his best year but he did win the Matchplay.”

Thomas’ inclusion was somewhat controversial given the former world No.1’s dramatic slump over the past 12 months.

The 30-year-old has missed five cuts in his last eight starts and has shot two rounds in the 80s in his last two majors.

“I’m very, very fortunate to be here and Zach has been very vocal and made it sound great that we are all equal on this team,” Thomas said. “I feel I’m just as important as everybody else and my teammates have voiced that the same way.”

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And as Rahm notes, Burns got the nod over two other close contenders in Keegan Bradley and Cameron Young.

The debutant’s victory over Young in the WGC Matchplay final in March now looks all the more important.

Along with Rory McIlroy, Viktor Hovland and Tyrell Hatton, Rahm has already automatically qualified for Luke Donald’s European side as the showdown nears.

Donald will name his six wildcard picks on Monday September 4 after the conclusion of the Omega European Masters in Switzerland.