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Iowa’s Zach Johnson Prepares for Ryder Cup Year

“Zach Johnson iron shot” (CC BY 2.0) by TourProGolfClubs

Iowa’s finest golfer will have a different role to play at the 2023 Ryder Cup. After appearing as a player in five previous competitions, two-time Major champion Zach Johnson was installed as the captain of the US team for this year and he will look to defend the trophy that was reclaimed from Europe in 2021.

Selection will be tricky: It’s likely that those players involved in the LIV Golf circuit will not be allowed to compete. That will rob Johnson of some key men who featured in the 2021 triumph. It’s a confusing picture, but does that give Europe an advantage on home turf?

Zach Johnson’s Ryder Cup Record

Zach Johnson made his Ryder Cup debut as a player in the 2006 tournament at the K Club in Dublin. In his first tournament, the man from Iowa City returned a record of one win, two losses and one draw for a total of 1.5 points.

He would appear in four further Ryder Cups in 2010, 2012, 2014 and 2016 and, in an era that was largely dominated by Europe, his returns hold up. Zach Johnson’s overall Ryder Cup stats show a record of eight wins, six defeats and two draws.

As a veteran of five Ryder Cups and a winner of two majors, Johnson was an ideal pick as 2023 captain, but can he guide his Team USA side to success?

Team USA Tipped for Successful Defense

While there are several months left until the Ryder Cup takes place at the end of September, betting markets are already in place for golf’s biggest team event. Those figures show that the USA are clear favorites and they are an odds on pick to retain their trophy.

Team Europe are the underdog while there are even longer odds for a tied tournament at 14 points apiece. The odds are supplied by Sbo.net who list the best licensed and regulated US betting sites online. 

With lots of tournament golf to be played between now and the start of the 2023 Ryder Cup, those odds are likely to fluctuate in the weeks ahead. Visitors to the SBO website will see the figures update, and they can also check on the latest news from the golf world.

Useful betting guides are also provided and those wishing to put their knowledge to the test can stake on the Ryder Cup. Each sportsbook on the panel is able to take on eligible new customers who are happy to complete a secure registration form.

Upon receipt of that document, many betting operators will kick things off with a generous welcome bonus. A range of funding institutions will help customers to cover initial deposits, while help options are on hand for anyone who gets stuck.

Once that opening promotion has been used, there may well be ongoing offers, while other benefits will almost certainly include mobile betting, live markets and a wide range of additional sports.

In short, it’s a perfect partner for all forms of golf betting, but who are the men set to do battle for the United States?

Players to Watch

Pundits can only assume that there will be no more defections to LIV Golf from among the top ranked players. Compiling a potential Ryder Cup team comes with that caveat for now as the sport continues in its state of flux.

2022 US Masters Champion Scottie Scheffler starts the new year as the number two ranked player. The Official World Golf Rankings continue to list four further eligible American players.

Patrick Cantlay, Justin Thomas, Will Zalatoris and Xander Schauffele also appear inside the top ten. Four Europeans also feature and that’s an indication of a strong European challenge in 2023.

Outside of the Top Ten, other likely Ryder Cup players made a solid start to 2023. 2021 Open Champion Collin Morikawa led for much of the first event, the Tournament of Champions, while Max Homa also performed well across the four days.

Jordan Spieth was in contention before slipping late on, but he’s hinting at a welcome return to form. 

While LIV Golf has had an effect on both sides this year, Iowa’s Zach Johnson still has a strong Ryder Cup team at his disposal and the USA are widely tipped to defend.

 

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