The Ryder Cup has seen a lot of golfers make history throughout the years. This has especially been true in the case of Dustin Johnson, the veteran who has appeared in the Titans’ clash a total of five times in his career. But this time around, the American golfer was not able to cement his place on the Zach Johnson-led team.

If the skipper believed in DJ to repeat the phenomenal performance at Whistling Straits once more, it would have been an easy pick. But the LIV defector did not have a wonderful year in 2023. Even so, despite everything, the 39-year-old can’t help but believe he was good enough to make the team—a conundrum of sorts, isn’t it?

Dustin Johnson opens up about his exclusion from the Ryder Cup team

Although it must not have been easy for the skipper to gloss over the ex-PGA Tour pro, his performance in 2023 was anything but great, with just a win coming off of LIV Golf Tulsa. But in an interview with the Palm Beach Post, the 2016 US Open champ expressed his desire to become a part of the US team in the Ryder Cup.

Revealing his thoughts to the world, DJ mentioned how he would have loved to be part of the squad. “But to be honest, I haven’t really played that well, this year,” continued the golfer while admitting his shortcomings. Nevertheless, the professional also conveyed his strong opinion that although he had a sub-par year, it was good enough to make the team, hinting at the hypocrisy of the PGA Tour.

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Moreover, he was unceasing in his belief as LIV-Johnson went ahead to indicate how he could have pulled it off if he “would have been playing on the PGA Tour”. The defector was only able to play the majors on the Tour in 2023 after joining the PIF-funded league. “If I would have played a little better at the majors, I think I definitely would have had a really good chance…”, said the 2020 Masters Tournament winner.

The faith did not come easy for the skipper since the LIV defector himself admitted to his poor showcase in the current season. But one can’t help but wonder if the 24-time PGA Tour winner could have pulled off another Whistling Straits if given the chance this year.

DJ scripted Ryder Cup history in 2021

The US team went on to dominate the European team in 2021 with a record 19-9 victory. Being the oldest member of a young team, the veteran joined the likes of Arnold Palmer (1967), Gardner Dickinson (1967), and Larry Nelson (1979) to become part of the list of players with 5-0 records in the history of the Ryder Cup. Moreover, the LIV star has also been part of the teams in the years 2010, 2012, 2016, and 2018, along with 2021, out of which he won a total of two times.

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Meanwhile, his previous experience was not enough to ensure DJ a spot on the team, as his major finishes were very lacking. Although he managed to tie for the 10th position at the 2023 US Open with a score of 3-under 277, the 39-year-old could only finish at T48 in the Masters and T55 at the PGA Championship while missing the cut at the Open Championship.

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