AVONDALE, La. Zach Johnson was asked about LIV Golf during his pre-tournament news conference at the 2023 Zurich Classic of New Orleans on Wednesday. It was his first question: Has a decision been made about whether you’re open to selecting LIV players for this year’s Ryder Cup?
Johnson replied, “No decisions have yet been made.” There’s still plenty of time in this regard and many factors that are fluid.
Six players are automatically qualified for the U.S. Team through a points system. To be eligible, LIV players would have to win one or more majors. Johnson will select six players to complete the U.S. team. He said he would heavily rely on the input of the six qualifiers.
He said, “It’s the team they have.” “I don’t really know who these six people are, but I do know that their ownership, and their opinions, will be a major factor in what I or we decide.”
The top six Ryder Cup points standings as of this week are:
- Scottie Scheffler
- Max Homa
- Cameron Young
- Jordan Spieth
- Sam Burns
- Patrick Cantlay
The U.S. Team will be formed on August 20, 2023. After the FedEx Cup second playoff event, the six highest-ranking players in the point list will earn a place on the team. Team. Johnson did note a wrinkle which could impact on whether or not LIV players are selected for the team.
Johnson said: “I don’t want to get too deep into this, but to earn Ryder Cup or PGA of America Ryder Cup and PGA Championship Points, you must be a PGA of America member.” “Those who have left the PGA Tour, to my knowledge are still PGA of America members.” There is a grace period. “I don’t have the details.”
Golfweek wanted to dig deeper and ask the PGA of America about the details.
The PGA of America membership requirement is a prerequisite to being eligible to play on the U.S. Ryder Cup Team. According to the PGA of America rules, there are certain classifications which allow LIV Tour players to maintain their PGA of America status,” a PGA spokeswoman said. “PGA Tour Members are classified as A3.” The LIV players who paid their membership fees before June 30, 2020 will be able to retain their membership until the end June 2023. There is a grace period of six months that will last through June 2024. Then, under the current rules, players can apply to become PGA Reserve Members. “A3 members who resigned, or are no longer PGA Tour members (suspended), are still PGA of America Members.”
In this scenario, Johnson’s grace period extends membership for LIV members another year. This means that they are still eligible to earn points. Doug Ferguson, of the AP, explained earlier why this will be a far-fetched. However, it is an interesting loophole which won’t be open to LIV players at Bethpage Black for the Ryder Cup in 2025.
The 2023 Ryder Cup is scheduled to take place from Sept. 29 to Oct. The 2023 Ryder Cup will be held in Rome, Italy.
