Team USA told they've been "weakened" by LIV saga after double Ryder Cup snub
Former European Ryder Cup captain Padraig Harrington believes Team USA have been "weakened" by the saga surrounding LIV Golf ahead of this year's event in Rome.
The United States will defend their Ryder Cup crown on away soil later this month, two years after securing a record-breaking victory at Whistling Straits. Ahead of their title defence, 2023 captain Zach Johnson announced the team he would be taking to Italy as they chase down their first victory in Europe since 1993.
The first half of Johnson's squad was made up of six automatic qualifiers after Scottie Scheffler, Wyndham Clark, Brian Harman, Patrick Cantlay, Max Homa and Xander Schauffele earned a spot. To complete his team, Johnson then announced his six captain's picks, but included just one LIV golfer.
A number of the States' class of 2021 opted to join the breakaway league following its formation last summer, but only one will return for 2023 after Brooks Koepka was given the nod on the back of his PGA Championship victory. Johnson's picks mean some of America's biggest names have been left out of the squad this time.
The captain's namesake Dustin Johnson will miss just his second Ryder Cup since 2010, whilst the likes of Bryson DeChambeau and Patrick Reed have also been left at home. Those competing on the LIV circuit had been starved of Ryder Cup qualification points since their switch, having been suspended by the PGA Tour.
Bubba Watson shares details of horror knee injury ahead of LIV Golf debut
And Europe's former leader Harrington believes this has only hampered the team. He told RTE: "The US are strong, but in some ways, they have weakened themselves with LIV, whereas I don't think Europe has necessarily weakened themselves.
Brooks Koepka is the only LIV Golf star at the Ryder Cup (Getty Images)"Patrick Reed, Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau, would they make it if everything was seamless in golf?" Whilst the U.S. have one sole LIV player in their ranks, European captain Luke Donald opted to go with none, after he confirmed his 12-man team on Monday.
Whilst the best of their playing days may well be behind them, three of Europe's most experienced players missed out on making the team this time around due to their LIV allegiances. All three of Ian Poulter, Sergio Garcia and Lee Westwood opted to hand in their DP World Tour memberships.
The European trio took the decision after being handed sanctions by the Wentworth-based circuit for making the Saudi switch. This brought to an end their association with the Ryder Cup setup, with players requiring membership to be involved with the Team Europe setup.
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
