Brooks Koepka this morning was selected as a captain’s pick for the U.S. Ryder Cup team, becoming the “only member of LIV Golf on either Ryder Cup team so far and … the first member of the Saudi-backed league to make an international team since its launch last summer” (GOLF.com, 8/29). Koepka “may be seen as a controversial pick because of his connection to LIV Golf, even though he was No. 7 in Ryder Cup points.” U.S. captain Zach Johnson downplayed the question of whether Koepka’s “association with LIV played into his decision” (PALM BEACH POST, 8/29).
Koepka could be a “dividing figure, if not in the locker room, then for fans” at Rome’s Marco Simone Golf & Country Club. However, the choice “likely was made somewhat easier with the prospects that the PGA Tour and LIV's founding Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia are working on a deal to create a new business venture” (GOLF DIGEST, 8/29).
Book the tickets, gentlemen ✈
— Ryder Cup USA (@RyderCupUSA) August 29, 2023
With his six Captain's Picks, @ZachJohnsonPGA selects:
🇺🇸@BKoepka
🇺🇸@JordanSpieth
🇺🇸@collin_morikawa
🇺🇸@RickieFowler
🇺🇸@JustinThomas34
🇺🇸@SamBurns66 pic.twitter.com/V7PbDlzaZZ
