Two-time major winner Zach Johnson has been confirmed as Steve Stricker’s successor as the United States captain for the 2023 Ryder Cup.
The PGA of America announced Johnson’s appointment in the role at a press conference on Monday. The 46-year-old will be charged with defending the famous trophy they emphatically claimed when the bi-annual tournament is contested at Marco Simone Golf Club in Italy next September.
Johnson, who won the Masters in 2007 and The Open Championship in 2015, has previously operated as an assistant captain on two occasions, aiding Jim Furyk in 2018 and Stricker in the USA’s crushing 19-9 win at Whistling Straits last autumn.
The Iowa-born star made five Ryder Cup appearances as a player across his career. Johnson made his debut at the 2006 edition of the tournament and went on to contest four consecutive Ryder Cup clashes from 2010 through to Team USA’s victory at Hazeltine in 2016.
Johnson has 12 career PGA Tour wins in his career, including the two major titles. He also represented Team USA in four Presidents Cups, winning each one - but retaining the Ryder Cup in 2023 could prove to be difficult.
The United States have not won the Ryder Cup on European soil since 1993.
Team Europe are expected to announce their captain in 2023 as they look to move on from the disastrous 2021 Ryder Cup. Former world number one Lee Westwood was originally the favourite to succeed Padraig Harrington, as the 48-year-old has made 11 Ryder Cup appearances as a player and served as vice-captain to Thomas Bjorn as Europe claimed the trophy in 2018.
However, Westwood has since ruled himself out of consideration for the role, allowing Luke Donald to be deemed a strong contender. The former world number one has been a member of four triumphant Ryder Cup squads and has served as vice-captain for the past two events.
Henrik Stenson is another contender after making five Ryder Cup appearances as a player, including Europe’s win at Le Golf National in 2018. The Swede served as one of Harrington’s assistants during the ill-fated trip to Wisconsin last year.
Stenson’s compatriot Robert Karlsson is also believed to be under consideration for captaincy. He has not only appeared in two Ryder Cups but he received plenty of praise from the captains he operated under in his two spells as vice-captain.
Meanwhile, Graeme McDowell has followed Westwood’s lead and ruled himself out of the running to be captain. Ian Poulter, Martin Kaymer and Paul Lawrie have all previously served as vice-captain and could reprise such roles.
