Justin Thomas makes Ryder Cup group; Zach Johnson explains divisive choose

Justin Thomas is headed to Italy.

On Tuesday, U.S. Ryder Cup Captain Zach Johnson chosen Thomas as certainly one of his six captain’s picks regardless of his lackluster performances all through 2023.

“Clearly, type is part of our decision-making course of; there are a variety of components in that course of, and type is certainly one of them,” Johnson mentioned.

“However so is match for the golf course, match for the group room, expertise, and in my thoughts, when you find yourself speaking about [Thomas] particularly, he has ardour and full confidence in [the Ryder Cup]. He’s the place he belongs.”

Thomas has had the worst yr of his profession this season, as he didn’t make the lower at three of 4 majors, missed out on the FedEx Cup Playoffs, and carded rounds within the 80s at each the U.S. Open and Open Championship.

Photograph by Logan Whitton/Getty Photographs

He additionally recorded simply three prime 10s, a profession low.

But, Thomas has a formidable 6-2-1 profession document on the Ryder Cup, a giant cause why Johnson chosen him.

“When it got here all the way down to it, it was a reasonably straightforward choose,” Johnson added. “Particularly for the reason that prime six guys additionally took some possession within the group.”

These prime six gamers who beforehand certified for the group embrace Scottie Scheffler, Wyndham Clark, Brian Harman, Patrick Cantlay, Max Homa, and Xander Schauffele.

These six needed Thomas to be part of the 2023 Ryder Cup, which is able to mark his third look. Solely Brooks Koepka, Jordan Spieth, and Rickie Fowler—additionally captain’s picks this yr—have extra expertise than Thomas.

Thomas, a two-time PGA Champion, can also be greatest pals with Spieth and Fowler, which helps group comraderie. He seemingly will get together with everybody.

On prime of that, Thomas has expertise taking part in in a Ryder Cup on European soil. In 2018, when Le Golf Nationwide in Paris hosted the competitors, Thomas and Spieth performed collectively in all 4 classes on Friday and Saturday.

The 2 compiled a 3-1 document towards the Europeans, after which Thomas went out and beat Rory McIlroy within the first match in singles on Sunday.

He and Spieth mixed for seven factors in France, as the opposite ten People mixed for simply 3.5 factors.

Photograph by David Cannon/Getty Photographs

Three years later, at Whistling Straits, Thomas and Spieth misplaced to the modern-day Spanish Armada—Jon Rahm and Sergio Garcia—within the opening match.

The duo then rallied on Saturday to defeat Viktor Hovland and Bernd Wiesberger, which helped give the People a commanding 9-to-3 lead going into the Saturday afternoon matches.

In complete, Thomas and Spieth have mixed to go 4-2 when taking part in collectively and can doubtless tee it up in Italy once more.

In addition to his shut friendships with these on the group, Thomas may be very shut with Tiger Woods, who usually refers to Thomas as a ‘little brother.’ It’s unknown whether or not Woods made a pitch to Johnson on Thomas’ behalf.

However when contemplating all of those components, particularly the fervour Thomas has, Johnson had no alternative however to pick out the previous Alabama star.

“He has been the center and soul of Group USA,” Johnson mentioned. “In my thoughts, he was born for this, and also you simply don’t depart [Thomas] at residence.”

Jack Milko is a golf employees author for SB Nation’s Taking part in By means of. You may comply with him on Twitter @jack_milko for extra golf protection. Make sure to try @_PlayingThrough too.