Selecting Justin Thomas as a wildcard because of his previous exploits and popularity is a risky strategy that could backfire
Zach Johnson’s experience of team environments did not originate in golf. Until the age of 18, he was an avid footballer. A striker, he says. “I had a good left foot for a rightie. I was the set‑play guy; corner-kicks and free‑kicks.” Individual sport soon took over, Johnson’s career elevated by two major wins, but one assumes memories from the dressing room lingered.
The coming weeks will see typical, contrived nonsense spouted about the importance of Ryder Cup captains and, as is even more the case, their deputies. It is possible to be a disastrous leader of men in this context but organising 24 of the finest golfers in the world into something even remotely resembling competent order should never be overly complicated. Nonetheless, the recent rising of wildcard numbers on both the European and US sides does give captains a significant role. Half of each team is delivered on the nods of Johnson and, for Europe, Luke Donald.
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