Ryder Cup 2023 LIVE: US team announcement as Justin Thomas selected as wildcard pick

The United States team for the 2023 Ryder Cup is complete after captain Zach Johnson revealed his six wildcard picks.

Two-time major winner Justin Thomas is among Johnson’s selection, with the two-time major winner backed despite his poor form this year.

Brooks Koepka is the lone LIV Rebel in Team USA’s 12, while Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler, Collin Morikawa and Sam Burns complete the team.

The six automatic spots in Johnson’s selection were filled by Scottie Scheffler, Wyndham Clark, Brian Harman, Patrick Cantlay, Max Homa and Xander Schauffele after consistent performances from the sextet across the PGA Tour season..

This year’s edition of the biennial event will be hosted by the Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Italy over three days from 29 September.

Luke Donald, Johnson’s European counterpart, will confirm his wildcard picks next week.

Follow all of the latest reaction to Johnson’s selections below:

Ryder Cup 2023 LIVE

• Justin Thomas and Brooks Koepka named among six wildcard picks for United States

• Scottie Scheffler and Open champion Brian Harman among automatic qualifiers in Zach Johnson’s team

• Ryder Cup to be held at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club near Rome over three days from 29 September

Justin Thomas, Brooks Koepka and Sam Burns among USA’s six Ryder Cup wild cards

15:58 , Harry Latham-Coyle

United States captain Zach Johnson has selected Justin Thomas, Brooks Koepka, Jordan Spieth, Collin Morikawa, Sam Burns and Rickie Fowler as his wild cards for the 44th Ryder Cup in Rome.

Thomas failed to qualify for the FedEx Cup play-offs and admitted it had been “humiliating and embarrassing” to card a second round of 81 in the US Open in June.

The two-time major winner also shot an opening 82 in the Open at Royal Liverpool, but has still been selected by Johnson ahead of the likes of Keegan Bradley and Cameron Young.

Justin Thomas, Brooks Koepka and Sam Burns among USA’s six Ryder Cup wild cards

Zach Johnson on the 30 year drought since the United States last won a Ryder Cup on European soil

15:53 , Harry Latham-Coyle

“The bottom line is that it is very difficult to win in hostile environments. It is very difficult to win over there. We have an opportunity in front of us that we are all going to relish and embrace. It’s a new team, this is a new year on a new golf course. The only constants are that most of the fans are going to be against us, and the opponents are really good. Other than that, I’m not going to dwell too much on what has happened prior. It shouldn’t have any bearing on what we are doing in 2023.”

Johnson is asked if he called any other LIV golfers

15:50 , Harry Latham-Coyle

“I called the gentlemen that were in the fold on making the team in points,” Johnson says. “You’d have to go down the list - I don’t remember my last phone call on the list, but it was probably in the top 22-25 range on guys that earned points.”

Zach Johnson on Brooks Koepka’s involvement with LIV

15:48 , Harry Latham-Coyle

“What figured in my decision making was trying to formulate and pick six gentlemen that make the six guys that earned their way hole. They are all 1/12th of the team - they are all part of the team equally. When it came to BK, his experience, his temperament, the way he goes about his work, his passion for the Ryder Cup all spoke volumes. He would say, and I would be confident saying, he and I have communicated a lot over the last couple of months, we’ve had great discussions, very candid discussions. When he started to really make his way on to this team, it was a pretty easy pick.

“Brooks is great in the team room and great inside the ropes. These guys wanted him, I wanted him, he’s a very natural fit.”

Rory McIlroy: Team Europe’s Ryder Cup chances not hurt by absence of LIV Golf players

Justin Thomas makes the cut as one of six United States wildcard picks

15:41 , Harry Latham-Coyle

“I’m very, very happy to be here. It’s why we play professional golf is to be in these type of atmospheres. We are all going to be nervous but it is a great opportunity.

“Good partners definitely help. As much as you want to bring good golf yourself to the table, much of it is bringing the best out of your partner. I’ve been fortunate to play with some good friends of mine that I know well. It’s hard to really think about anything other than what you are doing. It’s hard to get ahead of yourself or look at anything behind you - the only thing you are thinking about is just beating the person or team you are playing against. That’s a challenge that I’ve enjoyed.”

On Justin Thomas, Zach Johnson says...

15:36 , Harry Latham-Coyle

“Justin Thomas is one of the most talented players on the PGA Tour in my opinion. He has, without question, been the heart and soul of Team USA. He is our emotional leader - he leads by example. He has a fantastic overall Ryder Cup record and his passion for the Ryder Cup is evident. He was born for this and you just don’t leave JT out.”

It’s five Ryder Cups in a row for Jordan Spieth

15:31 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Skipper Johnson says.: “Jordan Spieth - great putter, great short game, seems he’s never out of the hole. I’ve been on the bad end of that myself...

“Great matchplay player, a very consistent year and just seems to bring his best out in the hardest of situations. He has all the intangibles you want, a lot of heart and spirit and a lot of experience, too. One of our stalwarts on Team USA.”

Ryder Cup 2023 LIVE

15:29 , Harry Latham-Coyle

“A lot of positive memories,” Morikawa reflects having secured the Ryder Cup on debut two years ago. “There’s nothing like it: when you are playing for something else, for your country with the red, white and blue on, it really pulls something out of you.

“I think we are all excited knowing the history, knowing the task. We all want to win - the history is all in the past and we want to create new history for us as a US side. It’s another golf tournament and we are going to do our best.”

Zach Johnson also gives Collin Morikawa a wildcard

15:27 , Harry Latham-Coyle

“He was a Ryder Cup rookie at Whistling Straits with two majors already under his belt, which is normal. A great young talent, a ball striking machine. Consistent would be the word that comes to my mind. He’s a really strong fit for Marco Simone and what we feel the course will demand.”

And Brooks Koepka, who has not lost a singles match at the Ryder Cup, says of his strong event record...

15:24 , Harry Latham-Coyle

”I think it is because you are playing for something bigger than yourself. You don’t want to let the other guys on the team down. It’s a fun event. The most nervous I’ve ever been at a golf tournament is teeing it up at a Ryder Cup.

“The last few years have been a lot but, at the same time, that’s what I’ve been grinding for, just for this moment. I’m looking forward to it - we’ve got a great group of guys, a great captain, great assistants. It’s going to be a fun week.”

Brooks Koepka earns a fourth Ryder Cup appearance

15:22 , Harry Latham-Coyle

“What a performance at Oak Hill in May,” Zach Johnson says of his sole LIV representative. “Five time major champion, three time PGA Champion, he’s built, in my mind, for the biggest of stages - and there’s no bigger stage in my mind than the Ryder Cup.

“I know his buddies want him on the team. Guys want to play with him, that’s evident, and I’m excited to have him go to Marco Simone on what will be the biggest stage in golf.”

Rickie Fowler reacts to his fifth Ryder Cup selection after missing out last time around

15:21 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Rickie Fowler has a Ryder Cup behind him, with the American preparing for a fifth participation. “It’s already coming together. A lot of us are really close, a few of us live close together in south Florida. It’s just a great group and I’m excited that I’ve played well enough to give myself this opportunity.

“For this part few years, not being part of teams, not really being in majors and not playing well, ultimately this was my goal at the top. I knew it was going to be a tough one to achieve. This one is super special. To get the call to be in this team is amazing.”

Zach Johnson explains Rickie Fowler’s selection.

15:18 , Harry Latham-Coyle

“My boy Rick, a great 2023, a really good US Open out in LA. He’s also extremely flexible in terms of pairings and formats. Those that have been around him, he makes every team room better.”

And the Ryder Cup debutant has this to say

15:17 , Harry Latham-Coyle

“I’d be lying if I didn’t say it was my number one goal,” Burns says. “When Zach gave me the call, I was just incredibly honoured. For me personally, there is no higher honour than to represent your country. I am super excited.

“I definitely dreamed of it many times. As a kid, you watch every Ryder Cup and you always have the idea in the back of your head that you want to be a part of it one day.”

Zach Johnson on the selection of Sam Burns

15:15 , Harry Latham-Coyle

“Sam is a stud athlete. Won the World Golf Matchplay this year. He’s a tremendous putter, which always helps at the Ryder Cup. To say he meshes well with the other guys would be an understatement. He’s a versatile teammate, guys want to play with him.”

US captain Zach Johnson on Ryder Cup wildcard picks

15:14 , Harry Latham-Coyle

“Having new blood is refreshing and energising. I’ve had many talks with our rookies already and they are excited. That excitement is attractive.”

Justin Thomas and Brooks Koepka among six US wildcard picks for Ryder Cup 2023

15:12 , Harry Latham-Coyle

So broadly as expected from Johnson, with Justin Thomas backed despite a tough year on the course, and Brooks Koepka the lone LIV rebel in the side after his major form made the big hitter impossible to ignore.

Zach Johnson reveals six wildcard picks for Ryder Cup 2023

15:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Sam Burns

Rickie Fowler

Brooks Koepka

Collin Morikawa

Jordan Spieth

Justin Thomas

Zach Johnson prepares to reveal wildcard picks

15:09 , Harry Latham-Coyle

“I am very confident in these six,” the US captain says. “We came up with what we felt made the other six whole.”

Ryder Cup 2023 LIVE

15:09 , Harry Latham-Coyle

“I’m very pleased with our six qualifiers. Scottie Scheffler is Mr Consistency. Patrick Cantlay is another model of consistency, played great at the end of the year. Max Homa is a rookie Ryder Cupper but has played some high level international golf. Xander Schauffele has played amazing as of late and is a great team player. Quality guys, great competitors and probably even better off the course than on it.”

Ryder Cup 2023 LIVE

15:07 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Here we go then - Zach Johnson is ready in Frisco, Texas, with six golfers to be added to his United States team to complete the 12-player line-up.

Ryder Cup 2023 LIVE

15:04 , Harry Latham-Coyle

It is now 30 years since the US won on foreign soil, with that Belfry triumph in 1993 feeling rather distant. How will Zach Johnson balance his team to try and end that run?

Ryder Cup 2023 LIVE: Justin Thomas set for inclusion

15:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The big debate for Zach Johnson might have been whether to take Justin Thomas to Italy. The two-time major winner has been some way below his best this year but has an outstanding matchplay record - and it sounds like JT has made the cut...

Great things are coming – Justin Thomas vows to rediscover his ‘mojo’

Ryder Cup 2023 LIVE: Who are the automatic selections?

14:57 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Half of Zach Johnson’s unit has, of course, already been confirmed, with six golfers earning their spots from the Ryder Cup points list.

They are: Scottie Scheffler, Wyndham Clark, Brian Harman, Patrick Cantlay, Max Homa and Xander Schauffele

Ryder Cup 2023 LIVE: Predicting Team USA

14:54 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The Independent’s golf experts Jack Rathborn and Luke Baker have been monitoring the progress of the wildcard contenders closely over the last few months, and have put their heads together to predict what Zach Johnson might be thinking:

Predicting Team USA for the 2023 Ryder Cup

Ryder Cup 2023 LIVE: Zach Johnson set to confirm wildcard picks

14:50 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Today’s the day, then, for the US’s Ryder Cup hopefuls to find out their fate. With just a month to go until the event begins, Zach Johnson is set to confirm his six wildcard picks today to complete the American unit that will defend the cup in Rome.

Ryder Cup 2023 LIVE

14:42 , Lawrence Ostlere

Follow all the latest news and reaction as Team USA prepare to announce their 12-man line-up for next month’s Ryder Cup.