The Americans recorded the biggest win over Europe in the history of the Ryder Cup last year, and their new captain doesn't see a need to change anything.
The US will try to end three decades of losing the Ryder Cup on European soil with the introduction of the 30th captain,Zach Johnson, on Monday.
The Americans won at The Belfry in England in 1993 when Johnson was still in high school. Expectations have never been higher, considering their 19-9 victory last September at Whistling Straits behind a young team with staying power.
Marco Simone is in Italy.
I love competing over there. I like stretching myself. I enjoy being uncomfortable. It is a beautiful opportunity to go out there and give these guys an avenue to be themselves and play with freedom, and that is how I will approach it.
When the last Ryder Cup was postponed due to the coronaviruses epidemic, the U.S. team went from eight automatic qualification and four captain's picks to six.
Johnson said it will stay the same in 2023. The points system will remain the same, with points available only at the four majors, the Players Championship, and the World Golf Championships event.
In keeping with the guidelines that came out of the Ryder Cup task force, Steve Stricker is no longer the captain of the team.
Johnson dodged all questions related to Phil Mickelson after he made inflammatory remarks about the Saudis funding a proposed rival league and acknowledged how he was trying to manipulate change on the PGA Tour.
Future captains typically serve as an assistant, and Phil was thought to be a shoo-in as captain for Bethpage Black in 2025.
I don't know what to think about my vice captains and who is on this team, given where we are right now.
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