Zach Johnson will serve as the United States Ryder Cup Team Captain for the 44th Ryder Cup as the US look to end a run of 30 years without an away victory when they visit Marco Simone Golf & Country Club in Rome, Italy in September 2023.
Johnson made his Ryder Cup debut in 2006 and played in five Ryder Cups (2006, ‘10, ‘12, ‘14, ‘16), while also serving as Vice Captain in the last two Ryder Cups at Le Golf National and Whistling Straits, where the Americans won in record-breaking fashion.
“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 honour 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.”
The 46-year-old 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.
Johnson, who is the 30th US captain, immediately installed 2020 Captain Steve Stricker as one of his Vice Captains for the showdown in the Eternal City as the US look to win the trophy on European soil for the the first time since a 15-13 victory at The Belfry in 1993.
The 12-strong team will be made up of the top six players on the US points list, with Johnson getting six Captain’s Picks, which he will announce after the 2023 Tour Championship in late August.
Europe are yet to name their captain but Padraig Harrington’s successor is expected to be confirmed in the coming weeks, with Luke Donald and Henrik Stenson highly fancied to lead the team out.
