ROCHESTER, NY — There’s an elephant in the room that is growing greater by the day as the Ryder Cup approaches, and meaning whether LIV Golf players will likely be participating in the biennial competition.
Since some of the best US players – comparable to Brooks Koepka and Dustin Johnson – aren’t members of the PGA Tour and don’t play on the LIV Tour, they aren’t eligible to build up Ryder Cup points, in order that they would need to be chosen by the captain.
And on Wednesday, during a gathering with reporters ahead of this week’s PGA Championship in Oak Hill, U.S. Captain Zach Johnson deftly sidestepped the subject.
“I spoke to some of my lieutenants recently about this [and] we’re at some extent now where it is not even up for discussion,” Johnson said. “In the case of picks, they don’t seem to be even on my radar.”
When asked about Dustin Johnson, Zach Johnson said: “It’s hard for me to evaluate. I do not know the golf courses where they play. You might be talking a couple of person whose CV is extremely deep and broad. Definitely in my generation he is one of the best players I’ve ever competed against, however it’s not fair for me to guess his true form or the true form of anyone I can not witness.
![Ryder Cup](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/NYPICHPDPICT000011238578.jpg?w=1024)
When asked about Koepka, Johnson said: “I have not seen where he is since Augusta [where Koepka finished second]. He played very well that one week, however it’s just one week. But there’s still quite a bit of golf from time to time.”
For his or her part, each Dustin Johnson and Keopka said on Wednesday that they wanted to participate in the Ryder Cup, which takes place outside Rome in late September.
“I do not know if I’d have been elected,” said Dustin Johnson. “After all, if I proceed to play very well for the rest of the 12 months then of course there is a probability. I’d definitely prefer to play in the Ryder Cup. It’s one of my favorite events I play, especially after the last Ryder Cup [a U.S. win]. I’d prefer to be an element of it.”
![Golf](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/NYPICHPDPICT000011259742.jpg?w=1024)
Said Koepka: “It will be great to represent the United States, but that is not my focus. If I take care of my affairs here, every little thing will fall into place. In case you go to do business, I feel prefer it needs to be positive. Nevertheless it’s lower than me. It depends upon Zach and what is going on on. I’m just playing my best and can see what happens next, but I’d like to play for him.
For European captain Luke Donald, the issue of LIV Golf seems more stripped down and dry, as several steadfast members of the European side have resigned from the DP World Tour resulting from heavy financial sanctions imposed on them for twiddling with LIV without permission.
Amongst the players who quit are Sergio Garcia, Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter, three of the best players in Ryder Cup history.
Henrik Stenson, who was originally named 2023 Ryder Cup captain, had his title stripped when he joined LIV.
He also resigned from the European Tour.
Donald said there was no captaincy agreement between him and Johnson on whether LIV players needs to be allowed to play.
“I feel team selection needs to be quite separate,” he said. “I’m in charge of the European team and what’s best for us, and he’s in charge of the US team and what’s best for him. I feel that is the way it needs to be.
![Luke Donald](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/NYPICHPDPICT000011249640.jpg?w=1024)
“It is a pity that there have been some resignations, [because] many of these guys built their legacy around DP World Tour members and their participation in the Ryder Cup. But ultimately it was their decision and unfortunately they at the moment are off the table for drafting for me.
“I feel with what Zach is doing and his options, I feel that is kind of his decision. Whether or not LIV players play on his team, again, I have not really talked to him much about it as a captains deal. And let’s not forget that there are still LIV players who can still play on my team. They’re still eligible in the event that they are Tour members and born in Europe. It’s still possible for some guys.”