08 July 2023 , 14:26
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Talor Gooch offered a brutal response after being quizzed on whether playing 54-hole tournaments on the LIV Golf circuit could affect his chances of making the U.S. Ryder Cup team this September.
Gooch has announced himself as the LIV Golf star to beat this season, having won three tournaments in 2023. Following his latest at Valderrama last week, the American star once again staked his claim to be picked by U.S. Ryder Cup captain Zach Johnson for this year's event at Marco Simone.
Fellow LIV star Brooks Koepka appeared to pave the way for players on the Saudi-backed league, after all but securing a spot with his PGA Championship victory in May. Along with Koepka, Gooch is among the names tipped to be in contention for Johnson's final 12.
The American impressed again on Friday, after carding a four-under-par 67 in the opening round of LIV London at Centurion to leave himself in a tie for fourth with 36 holes to play.
Following his round the debate surrounding his Ryder Cup chances was discussed once again, after Gooch was questioned on whether his hopes may well be hampered due to only competing in three-round tournaments. Of course the Ryder Cup is also held across three days of play, leading Gooch to respond: "How many days is the Ryder Cup?"
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The team match-play event does however pose more of a challenge, with the prospect of players playing five rounds across the three days due to the format. One man who knows the Ryder Cup well is Gooch's RangeGoats captain Bubba Watson.
Talor Gooch is LIV Golf's man to catch (PA)Ahead of this week's tournament in St Albans, four-time Ryder Cup player Watson believes his teammate should definitely be in the American setup in Rome, along with the PGA Tour's in-form man, Rickie Fowler. "Well, he [Gooch] has to be [in the Ryder Cup team]," Watson said.
"Gosh, I don't know where Rickie Fowler is on the Ryder Cup standings, but he's got to be up there, too. But I would have to say those two have been the impressive ones the last few weeks, just their high finishes and how they've been playing pretty much all year.
"If they're not already, if Rickie is not already in points, he's definitely getting a pick, and Talor should definitely get a pick. He's playing that well, and he plays really good outside the U.S." Gooch now has less than two months to impress captain Johnson, with his team set to be selected at the end of Augusts following the BMW Championship.