Ryder Cup contender's intentions as Bryson DeChambeau and Justin Thomas at risk

17 August 2023 , 14:13

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Zach Johnson will select his team in two weeks

Zach Johnson is set to have some tough choices when he selects his Ryder Cup side in the coming days.

Less than two weeks remain until Team USA captain Johnson confirms his team for the Ryder Cup against Europe in Italy in September.

Lucas Glover is the latest man to surge into contention, battling the likes of Justin Thomas and Bryson DeChambeau for a captain's pick - who are set to miss out on an automatic spot.

Thomas has a strong Ryder Cup record, going 6-2-1 and the last two tournaments, while his partnership with close-friend Jordan Spieth has been one of the team's most reliable pairings.

But his recent play has been poor, after failing to qualify for the FedEx Cup playoffs and missing the cut six times in his last 20 outings. DeChambeau, meanwhile, has fallen out of the top 50 after playing in LIV Golf - where players do no receive points for the Ryder Cup.

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The big-hitter has played well as of late, tying for fourth at the PGA Championship and having a top-20 finish at the US Open, but many feel he has not done enough to secure a captain's pick.

One man who has though, is Lucas Glover. 16th in points, Glover has been incredible on the greens as of late after switching to a long putter.

Glover is yet to play in a Ryder Cup, and spoke of his pride on potentially being picked. He said: "I just feel like representing your country as an athlete is the highest honor… I just think it's the coolest thing.

The Ryder Cup winning team from 2021

"And especially being in an individual sport, to be on a team representing your country, I think it's the highest honor we can have. It's been a goal from the day I turned pro back in 2001."

Johnson will select his six picks at the home of the PGA of America in Frisco on August 29, with the tournament to begin one month later on September 29 - running through October 1.

Scottie Scheffler and Wyndham Clark have already made the American team, with Patrick Cantley, Brian Harman, Brooks Koepka, Max Homa, Xander Schauffele and Jordan Speith all locks.

Luke Donald will captain Team Europe for the first time.

Charlie Wilson