Zach Johnson says “you just don’t leave JT at home” when explaining his decision to make him one of his Ryder Cup wildcards, as he banks on Thomas’ passion and previous record making him America’s Ian Poulter.
It’s a selection gamble that has attracted plenty of attention for a number of reasons but the main one being that Thomas has been mired in a slump in form this season.
Many point to the likes of Keegan Bradley, Lucas Glover or even Bryson DeChambeau being more “deserving” of a place in the team on current form.
Johnson is the captain though, his Ryder Cup legacy will depend on the 12 men who’ll be out on the course at Marco Simone in Rome next month, and he’s sticking by a player he knows will rise to the occasion.
It’s a player who on the one hand won his second Major just 15 months ago, but on the other missed the cut in three of four Majors this season and endured two of his worst rounds.
Given Thomas’ Ryder Cup record though, and digging a little deeper into previous selections, should we really be that surprised?
Why did Johnson pick Thomas?
(Image credit: Getty Images)
First and foremost is Thomas’ Ryder Cup record of 6-2-1 from two appearances that put him in the driving seat for a pick – but also the manner of his displays in team formats.
“He has without question been the heart and soul of Team USA, Ryder Cups, our emotional leader I would say,” Johnson said of Thomas.
“He just leads by example. His passion for the Ryder Cup is very evident. In my mind, he was born for this, and there is – you just don’t leave JT at home.”
The Ryder Cup is like nothing else, certainly not like a regular strokeplay event, and having that experience, especially of an away Ryder Cup, can be worth so much more than just basic form coming in.
Captain @ZachJohnsonPGA & the U.S. Ryder Cup Team are ready for action! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/bw1t8fNUMpAugust 29, 2023
“I don’t think you can really put into words, and us that have experienced it, especially over there, can understand,” Thomas said of the Ryder Cup atmosphere in Europe.
“It’s all the nerves that we are playing for. It’s why we play professional golf is to be in these kind of atmospheres. It doesn’t matter…
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