What 2023 United States team could look like

Even though the dust has just settled from the 2022 Presidents Cup, where Team USA was once again victorious over the Internationals, it’s already time to start thinking about the next team competition.

Exactly one year from today, the 2023 Ryder Cup will begin at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Rome, Italy, where the United States will look to win on foreign soil for the first time since 1993 at The Belfry. That got us thinking, what might Team USA look like 365 days from now?

American players began earning points at the beginning of 2022, and at the conclusion of the PGA Tour’s BMW Championship on August 20, 2023, the top six players on the points list will qualify for the U.S. team. Captain Zach Johnson will then announce his six captain’s picks following the 2023 Tour Championship.

For the sake of this exercise, we’re going to proceed as if players who have left the PGA Tour for LIV Golf aren’t eligible for the team, seeing as players earn points from Tour events (though Dustin Johnson still currently sits at No. 5 and inside qualification). Beneath the current points list, there’s a note with an asterisk that reads, “Points ranking does not guarantee qualification for the Ryder Cup. Players must separately meet all eligibility requirements.”

Here’s an early look at what the U.S. team may look like next year in Italy.

Scottie Scheffler

The world No. 1 sits atop the current points list thanks to his dominant last season on Tour that featured four wins, including his first major at the Masters. After a shaky debut at the recent Presidents Cup at Quail Hollow (0-3-1), Scheffler will be itching to contribute to the Red, White and Blue.

Team USA golfer Scottie Scheffler looks on at the 13th fairway during the foursomes match play of the Presidents Cup golf tournament at Quail Hollow Club. (Photo: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports)

Will Zalatoris

Zalatoris would have featured on the Presidents Cup team had he not been forced to withdraw due to a back injury. Currently inside the points list, if he’s able to get his form back, we’ll be seeing the 2021 PGA Tour Rookie of the Year making his Ryder Cup debut abroad, potentially paired with a former Wake Forest teammate (more on that later).

Will Zalatoris of the United States plays his shot from the seventh tee during the second round of the BMW Championship at Wilmington Country Club on August 19, 2022 in…