Zach Johnson Plans To Retain Qualifying System, Not So Sure About Mickelson's Possible Role

Zach Johnson (PGA of America)

The announcement of Zach Johnson’s Ryder Cup Captaincy came packed with qualifying details for the 2023 matches outside Rome. Looking rested and sporting a revitalized mane, Johnson was hit with questions about a Phil Mickelson vice captaincy, a task force tradition in advance of a presumed leadership role in 2025. On that, Johnson was less definitive. Instead of saying “it’s 19 months away”, the answers were a roundabout way of suggesting a Mickelson role appears unlikely.

You can watch the full session here.

The press release followed by the video of a Mickelson exchange not in the official transcript.

Zach Johnson Named United States Captain for 2023 Ryder Cup

Ryder Cup veteran will lead U.S. in pursuit of second straight victory; Steve Stricker to serve as U.S. Vice Captain; Selection criteria for 2023 U.S. Ryder Cup Team also announced

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. (February 28, 2022) – PGA of America President Jim Richerson today announced that Zach Johnson will serve as the United States Ryder Cup Team Captain for the 44th Ryder Cup, which will be played September 25-October 1, 2023, at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club in Rome, Italy. 

Johnson becomes the 30th U.S. Captain since the Ryder Cup’s inception in 1927.   

A native of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Johnson made his Ryder Cup debut in 2006 and played in five Ryder Cups (2006, ‘10, ‘12, ‘14, ‘16). Johnson has served as a U.S. Vice Captain in the last two Ryder Cups. 

“I am confident that Zach's appointment will be wildly popular with the players as well as throughout American golf circles," said Richerson.  "But more than that, Zach is the caliber of individual that the PGA of America wants representing the United States and our 28,000-plus PGA Professionals on the global stage. He has performed on the biggest stages as a player, a teammate and as a Vice Captain.  He checks every conceivable leadership box and we anticipate that the U.S. Team in Italy will reflect the hard work, grit and selfless determination that have long defined his stellar playing career” 

The 46-year-old Johnson posted a 8-7-2 overall match record and was part of winning Ryder Cup efforts as a player in 2016 and as a Vice Captain in 2020. Johnson’s two Major Championships, in the 2007 Masters and the 2015 Open, highlight 12 career worldwide victories. 

“To accept this Captaincy, to lead this United States Ryder Cup Team abroad ー after what we accomplished last year at Whistling Straits ー is simply the greatest honor of my professional career,” said Johnson. “I want to thank the PGA of America Ryder Cup Committee for this special opportunity. As exciting as this is for both my family and me, it is equally sobering to understand the scope of our challenge in Rome, as we have not won on the road in three decades. To win, we will have to outplay a European Team that will have both ample talent and motivation on their side. I am anxious to dig in and begin the process of putting our team in the best possible position to succeed.” 

In his first appointment as Ryder Cup Captain, Johnson named Steve Stricker the first of his Vice Captains. Stricker served as U.S. Captain for the 2020 Ryder Cup, which the U.S. won, 19-9, recording the largest margin of victory since continental Europe was included in 1979. Stricker previously served as a Vice Captain three times (2014, ‘16, ‘18).

The selection criteria for the 2023 U.S. Ryder Cup Team was also announced by Johnson in coordination with the PGA Ryder Cup Committee, which includes Richerson, PGA of America Vice President John Lindert, PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh, Stricker, Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas.

All U.S. players will have the opportunity to earn points beginning in 2022 and concluding immediately after the second FedEx Cup Play-Off event (BMW Championship) on August 20, 2023:

2022 Major Championships 

• 1 Point per $1,000 earned 

  • The Masters, PGA Championship, U.S. Open, The Open 

2022 WGC Events and The Players Championship

• 1 Point per $2,000 earned 

  • WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play Championship, The Players Championship, WGC-HSBC Champions 

2023 Regular PGA Tour events

• 1 point per $1,000 earned 

  • Beginning January 1, 2023, through the end of the second FedEx Cup Play-Offs (BMW Championship), August 20, 2023; includes the Zurich Classic of New Orleans team event and WGC events

  • 2023 Opposite Field PGA TOUR events will NOT receive points

2023 Major Championships 

• 2 Points per $1,000 earned for the Winner

• 1.5 Points per $1,000 earned for all others to make the cut 

  • The Masters, PGA Championship, U.S. Open, The Open

The points system for the American team will conclude on August 20, 2023, with the top six players on the points list securing spots on the U.S. Team.

The six remaining slots on the U.S. Team will be Captain’s Selections and will be announced by Johnson.

The Mickelson exchange in a one-on-one with Sky Sports’ Jamie Weir:

Tried asking the US Ryder Cup captain if the door was open to Phil Mickelson being part of his team in Italy. Didn’t get very far… pic.twitter.com/vLsLcPItVK

— Jamie Weir (@jamiecweir) February 28, 2022

AP: Zach Johnson To Get The 2023 Ryder Cup Captaincy

A two-time Vice Buggy Driver and quiet member of the Task Force has patiently waited his turn. And now Doug Ferguson reports that Zach Johnson will lead Team USA in the 2023 edition set for Marco Simone Golf Club outside Rome.

Kyle Porter pointed out this neat fact should Johnson lead the team to victory.

Johnson would join Jack Nicklaus, Sam Snead and Seve Ballesteros as the only golfers to win a Masters at Augusta National, an Open at St. Andrews and captain a winning Ryder Cup team if the U.S. goes on to win in 2023.

This reminds me of two things: how great it would be to have a Ryder Cup at the Old Course, and the Captain’s race for 2025 is wide open now.

Daily Mail: Captain Luke Sounding Good To Harrington

While it’s hardly an official announcement, Luke Donald has received a very public endorsement from the most recent Ryder Cup captain, leading the Daily Mail’s Derek Lawrenson to report that the captaincy race is all about over.

Lawrenson writes of Padraig Harrington’s blessing…

‘As players, we’ve certainly discussed who will be the next captain,’ the Dubliner admitted to Sportsmail.

‘It was assumed it was going to be Lee but I can see where he is coming from, he is playing good golf and he wants to concentrate on that. His decision certainly put the cat among the pigeons though, didn’t it?

‘All I can say is that Luke would be great. Behind the scenes he does a terrific job. His management style... he knows. 

Henrik Stenson, also thought to be a leading candidate, was given an ultimatum to decided between a Captaincy or taking Saudi Golf League money, the Telegraph’s James Corrigan recently reported.

Telegraph: Stenson Facing Decision On Ryder Cup Captaincy Or Saudi's $30 Million

James Corrigan says Henrik Stenson has been given an ultimatum: take $30 million for the apparently-coming Saudi Golf League fronted by Greg Norman, or the 2023 Ryder Cup captaincy in Rome.

Traditionally the captain is named around this time (just under two years away), and was expected this week in Abu Dhabi. But these are not normal times, as Corrigan notes.

Along with Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson and Bryson DeChambeau, Stenson has been linked with the SGL, with reports indicating he has been offered $30 million. So will he opt for the Saudi gold or the blue and gold? “It is a heck of a decision,” an inner member of Stenson’s coterie said. “It’s complicated not only by the huge amounts on offer.

“This [captaincy] could be his one and only chance with so many big Europe figures about to come into the picture for future matches. But then, it’s far from guaranteed he will get it this time anyway, with Luke obviously having a strong shout and the case for Karlsson seemingly strengthening by the day.”

2023 Ryder Cup Cart Lead Driver Race Update And Henrik Stenson On Playing The Saudi International

The Guardian’s Ewan Murray says the 2023 Captaincy race is between Henrik Stenson and Luke Donald.

Like Lee Westwood, who backed out of consideration, Stenson tells Murray he still may have another Ryder Cup in him but remains interested in the job.

And like Westwood, he employed his signature dry wit to suggest why fining some players for teeing up in the Bonesaw would be absurd. In Stenson’s case, he committed to playing the event for three years and before the European Tour, now DP World Tour, would break off from the Saudi and schedule a competing event.

“It is one of those situations and I can only say that I had an arrangement to come back and play. It’s been a good tournament on the schedule and it fitted in once again on my schedule. I will fulfil my commitment to go and play there and what happens in terms of the tour, who knows? I believe there’s a European Tour event in Ras al Khaimah the same week. The other one was planned ahead of that one and you can’t be in two places at the same time, I found that out a long time ago.”

Quadrilateral: Major(s) News & Notes, December 2nd, 2021

This week’s Quadrilateral on Substack offers more Tiger talk, Rory's (Zen?) Masters plan, green reading books officially becoming bannable in the USGA and R&A events, Westwood says more about the Ryder Cup Captaincy pass, sports betting news and reads.

Sign up here for free.

Or give a gift subscription. Because it’s that time of year.

Did Lee Westwood Pass Up Ryder Cup Captaincy For The Saudis?

I didn’t think too much about Lee Westwood announcing he was withdrawing from consideration for the 2023 Ryder Cup captaincy. The Telegraph’s James Corrigan had that story.

But then the Daily Mail’s Derek Lawrenson suggested this may mean more than simply Westwood having high hopes for his game over the next two years and I think he’s right. Therefore…

A full Quadrilateral analysis of what this might mean.

Ryder Cup Promo Video Gaffe Becomes Big Issue For Rome's Mayor

Yes April 1 has passed but never discount its reach!

Lesson here for those cutting social-friendly videos: get the right Colosseum.

I don’t want to spoil too much here, but this is a bit like like showing Lambeau Field when you meant the Rose Bowl. Both old. Both football stadiums. But kinda far apart.

Here is a written report explaining the mess that Rome mayor Virginia Raggi is in for sharing a video on Facebook with the incorrect image. It’s a big mistake given that one ancient arena is intact and one has lost about half its upper shell. But it’s not like Raggi was in the editing bay when this happened!

Here is the offending video previewing Rome 2023 still includes the Arena of Nimes:

Italy's Ryder Cup Actually Seems Like It's Going To Happen

An extra year will have have helped agronomically. Financially? We’ll never know from Guy Kinnings in this 2023 Ryder Cup update via GolfDigest.com’s John Huggan, but mere talk of all systems go is huge progress for an event circled by some as likely to move.

The renovated Marco Simone Golf Club is on track to open the other nine holes currently growing in giving them a full renovated course for the event (by European Golf Design).

“There has been lots of speculation regarding the course, but right now there are nine holes open for play,” Kinnings said. “The other nine holes are looking good and will be ready later this year, in time for the Italian Open in September. So that answers the Will it be ready for the Ryder Cup? question. Does that mean everything will be perfect? No. But the pandemic hasn’t stopped the grass from growing, although some of the areas around the course won’t quite be as they will be by 2023. So it will not be ‘Ryder Cup ready’ by September [when it hosts the Italian Open]. But it will be in good shape. I think people will be pleased with what they see. And the extra year allows us more time to fine-tune everything for the Ryder Cup.”

Huggan notes that European Tour players will get three Italian Opens over the course before the Ryder Cup. Now we just need to get 2021’s played and a captain picked.

The first tee scene will not be like Le Golf National (above) but Kinnings suggests sunny weather will make up for that based on European Tour surveys of fans. Shocking.