Bryson DeChambeau has criticised Team USA captain Zach Johnson for the manner in which he was overlooked for the Ryder Cup. The 30-year-old golfer, who now plays on the LIV Golf circuit, did not receive a captain's pick for the tournament, which begins on Friday at the Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Italy.
DeChambeau failed to qualify automatically for the Ryder Cup because world ranking points do not factor in performances on the Saudi-funded LIV Golf tour. Despite winning the LIV Golf event in Chicago on Sunday, his second victory on the tour, he was not selected by Johnson.
Speaking to Bunkered, DeChambeau expressed his disappointment at the lack of communication. “If you look at it, it would have been nice to at least just have a call,” he said. “There are numerous people that I think Zach should have called out here, and we didn’t get that.”
DeChambeau was not the only LIV Golf player omitted from the team. Two-time major champion Dustin Johnson and six-time major winner Phil Mickelson were also passed over. Johnson’s six captain's picks were Sam Burns, Rickie Fowler, Brooks Koepka, Collin Morikawa, Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas.
Team USA will be aiming to win their first Ryder Cup on away soil since 1993. They are the current holders of the trophy, having defeated Europe 19-9 at Whistling Straits in 2021.
