PGA of America President Jim Richerson today announced that Zach Johnson will serve as the United States Ryder Cup Team Captain for the 44th Ryder Cup, which will be played September 25-October 1, 2023, at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club in Rome, Italy.
Johnson becomes the 30th U.S. Captain since the Ryder Cup’s inception in 1927.
A native of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Johnson made his Ryder Cup debut in 2006 and played in five Ryder Cups (2006, ‘10, ‘12, ‘14, ‘16). Johnson has served as a U.S. Vice Captain in the last two Ryder Cups.
“I am confident that Zach's appointment will be wildly popular with the players as well as throughout American golf circles," said Richerson. "But more than that, Zach is the caliber of individual that the PGA of America wants representing the United States and our 28,000-plus PGA Professionals on the global stage. He has performed on the biggest stages as a player, a teammate and as a Vice Captain. He checks every conceivable leadership box and we anticipate that the U.S. Team in Italy will reflect the hard work, grit and selfless determination that have long defined his stellar playing career”
The 46-year-old Johnson posted a 8-7-2 overall match record and was part of winning Ryder Cup efforts as a player in 2016 and as a Vice Captain in 2020. Johnson’s two Major Championships, in the 2007 Masters and the 2015 Open, highlight 12 career worldwide victories.
“To accept this Captaincy, to lead this United States Ryder Cup Team abroad ー after what we accomplished last year at Whistling Straits ー is simply the greatest honor of my professional career,” said Johnson. “I want to thank the PGA of America Ryder Cup Committee for this special opportunity. As exciting as this is for both my family and me, it is equally sobering to understand the scope of our challenge in Rome, as we have not won on the road in three decades. To win, we will have to outplay a European Team that will have both ample talent and motivation on their side. I am anxious to dig in and begin the process of putting our team in the best possible position to succeed.”
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September 30, 2016
CHASKA, MN - SEPTEMBER 30: Zach Johnson of the United States reacts after a putt on the 16th hole during morning foursome matches of the 2016 Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National Golf Club on September 30, 2016 in Chaska, Minnesota. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
Photo Credit: Streeter Lecka/Getty Images
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September 22, 2021
KOHLER, WI - SEPTEMBER 22: United States Ryder Cup Captain, Steve Stricker and United States Ryder Cup Vice-Captain, Zach Johnson during the 2020 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits on September 22, 2021 in Kohler, WI. (Photo by Hailey Garrett/PGA of America)
Photo Credit: Hailey Garrett/PGA of America/PGA
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October 02, 2010
Hunter Mahan and Zach Johnson during the foursome matches in session two at the 38th Ryder Cup at the Twenty Ten Course at Celtic Manor in Newport, Wales, on Saturday, October 2, 2010. (Photo by Montana Pritchard/The PGA of America)
Photo Credit: Montana Pritchard/PGA of America/PGA
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NEWPORT, WALES - SEPTEMBER 30: Stewart Cink (R) of the USA reacts after Team Captain Corey Pavin forgets to announce him during the Opening Ceremony prior to the 2010 Ryder Cup at the Celtic Manor Resort on September 30, 2010 in Newport, Wales. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
Photo Credit: Andrew Redington/Getty Images
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CHASKA, MN - OCTOBER 02: Matt Kuchar, Dustin Johnson, Brandt Snedeker, Ryan Moore, Davis Love III, Brooks Koepka, Zach Johnson, J.B. Holmes, Jordan Spieth, Phil Mickelson, Jimmy Walker and Rickie Fowler of the United States celebrate during the closing ceremony of the 2016 Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National Golf Club on October 2, 2016 in Chaska, Minnesota. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
Photo Credit: Streeter Lecka/Getty Images
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September 30, 2006
US Captain Tom Lehman and Zach Johnson during round 4 Singles matches at the Ryder Cup held at The K-Club in Straffan, Ireland. Sunday, September 24, 2006. (photograph by The PGA of America).
Photo Credit: Montana Pritchard/PGA of America/PGA
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September 21, 2021
KOHLER, WISCONSIN - SEPTEMBER 21: Vice-captain Zach Johnson of team United States (L) and Jordan Spieth of team United States look on prior to the 43rd Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits on September 21, 2021 in Kohler, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Photo Credit: Stacy Revere/Getty Images
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September 30, 2016
CHASKA, MINNESOTA - SEPTEMBER 30: Zach Johnson during the foursome matches for the 41st Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National Golf Course on September 30, 2016 in Chaska, MN. (Photo by Scott Hallaren/PGA of America)
Photo Credit: Scott Hallaren/PGA of America/PGA
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September 27, 2018
PARIS, FRANCE - SEPTEMBER 27: Vice-Captain Zach Johnson of the United States during practice prior to the 2018 Ryder Cup at Le Golf National on September 27, 2018 in Paris, France. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Photo Credit: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images
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VERSAILLES, FRANCE - September 26: Zach Johnson and Kim Barclay at the Official Ryder Cup Gala Dinner
at Chateau de Versailles during the 42nd Ryder Cup held at Le Golf National on September 28-30, 2018 in Guyancourt, France. (Photo by Montana Pritchard/PGA of America)
Photo Credit: Montana Pritchard/PGA of America/PGA
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October 02, 2010
NEWPORT, WALES - OCTOBER 02: Zach Johnson of the USA watches a putt on the fourth green during the Fourball & Foursome Matches during the 2010 Ryder Cup at the Celtic Manor Resort on October 2, 2010 in Newport, Wales. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Photo Credit: Jamie Squire/Getty Images
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September 22, 2021
KOHLER, WISCONSIN - SEPTEMBER 22: Jordan Spieth of team United States plays his shot from the 11th tee as vice-captain Zach Johnson of team United States looks on during a practice round prior to the 43rd Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits on September 22, 2021 in Kohler, Wisconsin. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Photo Credit: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images
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September 23, 2021
KOHLER, WISCONSIN - SEPTEMBER 23: Scottie Scheffler of team United States (L) and vice-captain Zach Johnson of team United States walk across the course during practice rounds prior to the 43rd Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits on September 23, 2021 in Kohler, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Photo Credit: Patrick Smith/Getty Images
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KILDARE, IRELAND - SEPTEMBER 23: Zach Johnson of USA celebrates his putt on the 15th green during the morning fourballs on the second day of the 2006 Ryder Cup at The K Club on September 23, 2006 in Straffan, Co. Kildare, Ireland. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Photo Credit: Harry How/Getty Images
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September 28, 2016
CHASKA, MN - SEPTEMBER 28: Vice-captain Jim Furyk and Zach Johnson of the United States look on during practice prior to the 2016 Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National Golf Club on September 28, 2016 in Chaska, Minnesota. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
Photo Credit: Streeter Lecka/Getty Images
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KOHLER, WISCONSIN - SEPTEMBER 26: Justin Thomas of team United States talks with vice-captain Zach Johnson and Daniel Berger of team United States during Sunday Singles Matches of the 43rd Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits on September 26, 2021 in Kohler, Wisconsin. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
Photo Credit: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
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NEWPORT, WALES - OCTOBER 02: Zach Johnson and Hunter Mahan (R) of the USA celebrate winning their match on the 18th green during the rescheduled Afternoon Foursome Matches during the 2010 Ryder Cup at the Celtic Manor Resort on October 2, 2010 in Newport, Wales. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)
Photo Credit: Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images
In his first appointment as Ryder Cup Captain, Johnson named Steve Stricker the first of his Vice Captains. Stricker served as U.S. Captain for the 2020 Ryder Cup, which the U.S. won, 19-9, recording the largest margin of victory since continental Europe was included in 1979. Stricker previously served as a Vice Captain three times (2014, ‘16, ‘18).
The selection criteria for the 2023 U.S. Ryder Cup Team was also announced by Johnson in coordination with the PGA Ryder Cup Committee, which includes Richerson, PGA of America Vice President John Lindert, PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh, Stricker, Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas.
All U.S. players will have the opportunity to earn points beginning in 2022 and concluding immediately after the second FedEx Cup Play-Off event (BMW Championship) on August 20, 2023:
2022 Major Championships
- 1 Point per $1,000 earned
- The Masters, PGA Championship, U.S. Open, The Open
2022 WGC Events and The Players Championship
- 1 Point per $2,000 earned
- WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play Championship, The Players Championship, WGC-HSBC Champions
2023 Regular PGA Tour events
- 1 point per $1,000 earned
- Beginning January 1, 2023, through the end of the second FedEx Cup Play-Offs (BMW Championship), August 20, 2023; includes the Zurich Classic of New Orleans team event and WGC events
- 2023 Opposite Field PGA TOUR events will NOT receive points
2023 Major Championships
- 2 Points per $1,000 earned for the Winner
- 1.5 Points per $1,000 earned for all others to make the cut
- The Masters, PGA Championship, U.S. Open, The Open
The points system for the American team will conclude on August 20, 2023, with the top six players on the points list securing spots on the U.S. Team.
The six remaining slots on the U.S. Team will be Captain’s Selections and will be announced by Johnson following the 2023 Tour Championship.
To register your interest in attending the 2023 Ryder Cup, please click here.
