Zach Johnson: LIV golfers at Ryder Cup “not on my radar”

US captain Zach Johnson says the prospect of LIV golfers making his Ryder Cup team is “not even on my radar”.

Speaking ahead of the start of the PGA Championship on Thursday, Johnson said the availability of players competing on the Saudi-backed circuit was “not even a discussion item.”

That is despite Americans still being eligible for selection ahead of the biennial battle with Europe through their association with the PGA of America.

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Lee Westwood, Sergio Garcia and Ian Poulter resigned their memberships from the DP World Tour and their Ryder Cup careers are now all but over.

But regardless of an indefinite ban from the PGA Tour, the likes of Brooks Koepka and Dustin Johnson can still qualify for the US team or be chosen as one of six wildcard picks.

Johnson, however, claims it would be “irresponsible” at this stage to talk about LIV golfers playing a part in his 12-man team for the September showdown in Rome.

“We’re at a point right now where it’s not even a discussion item,” he said.

“There’s maybe a couple guys that have come close to securing their spot in the top six, but when it comes to picks it’s not even on my radar, especially given how many points are still out there, whether you’re talking about major championships or elevated events or all of the above.

“I think it would be premature and almost irresponsible to even go into that. It’s not on my radar right now.”

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The former Open and Masters champion believes it is far too early in the season to judge the performances of not just LIV golfers, but any of his contenders for selection at the Marco Simone.

“One of the factors that we’ve looked at over the years is what kind of form are the guys in when it gets close to the Tour Championship. I think that would be wise for me to look at,” Johnson added.

“I remember playing really well one spring thinking, man, I’ve got this, I’m a shoo-in, and I didn’t make the team. There’s a lot of factors involved.”

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.