Johnson backs his rookies while Donald plans to play everyone

Data scientist Luke Carter broke down the most optimal Team USA foursomes and the Spieth/Thomas partnership was not in the top 100 most optimal.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Team Europe Captain Luke Donald (centre) with vice-captains Jose Maria Olazabal and Edoardo Molinari (left) on the 1st at the Marco Simone Golf and Country Club, Rome, Italy, ahead of the 2023 Ryder Cup. 

Thursday was as much about who is in as it was who is out. After Zach Johnson announced his selection, he walked into his press conference and was immediately asked different versions of the same question: Why no Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas?

“The gist of it is we have got 12 guys,” the U.S. skipper said bluntly. “Unfortunately, I can't play all 12 each session. So, at some point somebody has got to sit. It is a golf course that demands a lot out of you physically.