Ryder Cup 2023 LIVE: US team announcement as Justin Thomas selected as wildcard pick

”I think it is because you are playing for something bigger than yourself. You don’t want to let the other guys on the team down. It’s a fun event. The most nervous I’ve ever been at a golf tournament is teeing it up at a Ryder Cup.

“The last few years have been a lot but, at the same time, that’s what I’ve been grinding for, just for this moment. I’m looking forward to it - we’ve got a great group of guys, a great captain, great assistants. It’s going to be a fun week.”

“What a performance at Oak Hill in May,” Zach Johnson says of his sole LIV representative. “Five time major champion, three time PGA Champion, he’s built, in my mind, for the biggest of stages - and there’s no bigger stage in my mind than the Ryder Cup.

“I know his buddies want him on the team. Guys want to play with him, that’s evident, and I’m excited to have him go to Marco Simone on what will be the biggest stage in golf.”

Rickie Fowler has a Ryder Cup behind him, with the American preparing for a fifth participation. “It’s already coming together. A lot of us are really close, a few of us live close together in south Florida. It’s just a great group and I’m excited that I’ve played well enough to give myself this opportunity.

“For this part few years, not being part of teams, not really being in majors and not playing well, ultimately this was my goal at the top. I knew it was going to be a tough one to achieve. This one is super special. To get the call to be in this team is amazing.”

“My boy Rick, a great 2023, a really good US Open out in LA. He’s also extremely flexible in terms of pairings and formats. Those that have been around him, he makes every team room better.”

“I’d be lying if I didn’t say it was my number one goal,” Burns says. “When Zach gave me the call, I was just incredibly honoured. For me personally, there is no higher honour than to represent your country. I am super excited.

“I definitely dreamed of it many times. As a kid, you watch every Ryder Cup and you always have the idea in the back of your head that you want to be a part of it one day.”

“Sam is a stud athlete. Won the World Golf Matchplay this year. He’s a tremendous putter, which always helps at the Ryder Cup. To say he meshes well with the other guys would be an understatement. He’s a versatile teammate, guys want to play with him.”

“Having new blood is refreshing and energising. I’ve had many talks with our rookies already and they are excited. That excitement is attractive.”

So broadly as expected from Johnson, with Justin Thomas backed despite a tough year on the course, and Brooks Koepka the lone LIV rebel in the side after his major form made the big hitter impossible to ignore.

Sam Burns

Rickie Fowler

Brooks Koepka

Collin Morikawa

Jordan Spieth

Justin Thomas

“I am very confident in these six,” the US captain says. “We came up with what we felt made the other six whole.”